51. Michael Morris
chairman, president and CEO, AEP (52)
Morris had a strong year in 2008 and his company positioned itself to maintain growth in 2009. Morris took requests for proposals to add 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy resources — part of its goal to add 2,000 megawatts of new wind or other renewable energy by the end of 2011 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
52. Bob Weiler Sr.
chairman, The Robert Weiler Co. (48)
Weiler was named to be the second Leader-In-Residence at Franklin University’s Leadership Center. He’ll look to develop and present leadership development courses offered to businesses, government, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
53. Rich Langdale
founder and managing partner, NCT Ventures (27)
DOMedia, the online advertising database Langdale launched under NCT Ventures, hired a new CEO in February and a new chairman to replace Langdale in May. Langdale will remain as counsel, and he’ll continue to be involved in NCT Ventures’ other investments. He also serves on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, OSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, as well as the Columbus Technology Council.
54. Jordan A. Miller Jr.
president and CEO, Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio49)
Miller is active on a number of nonprofit boards in the Columbus region, including the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Lincoln Theatre Association, United Way of Central Ohio and Ohio Bar Association. He is also vice-chairman-elect of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges and on the board of Precision Resources Inc.
55. Jane Grote Abell
president and COO, Donatos Pizzeria (56)
Abell added a value line like many other pizza companies to combat the economy as well as rising commodity costs and the minimum wage increase.
56. Craig Marshall
managing partner, Ernst & Young LLP, Columbus office (53)
Marshall was named to the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, which oversees capital improvement funds for planning, construction, renovation and expansion projects at Ohio’s theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues.
57. Michael Petrecca
managing partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Columbus office (54)
Petrecca continues to serve on the boards of the Ohio Society of CPAs and the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau.
58. David Meuse
principal, Stonehenge Financial Holdings, Stonehenge Partners Inc. (5
Meuse has been working to assess the climate for investments as the recession continues to show signs of drawing to a close.
59. Robert M. Eversole
principal, Stonehenge Partners Inc. (59)
Eversole continues to be active on several boards in the Central Ohio region.
60. Elaine Roberts
president and CEO, Port Columbus International Airport (70)
Roberts has kept Port Columbus going through the recession as capacity was down only 4 percent from October 2008 to October 2009 compared to a 15 percent dip at other Ohio airports. She expressed hope late in the year that air traffic would continue to increase.
61. Michelle Abreu
chairman and president,
Oxford Consulting Group Inc. (new)
Abreu was named a finalist for the Outstanding Woman in Technology Award by TechColumbus. She has overseen the growth strategy at Oxford, helping the firm to engage more than 60 Fortune 2000 businesses.
62. Tami Longaberger
chair and CEO, The Longaberger Co. (60)
The basket-maker laid off nearly 300 employees and reduced wages of existing employees, including Longaberger herself, who took a 15 percent pay cut. However, the sales of National Football League and collegiate merchandise in the fall proved strong, and about 50 employees were brought back to work.
63. Dr. Wiley W. Souba Jr.
dean, The Ohio State University College of Medicine (67)
Just take a look at Dr. Souba’s resume on the OSU Web site and you’ll get a sense of the contribution he has made to the medical community. Souba’s opinion and expertise will continue to be valued as the nation’s health care system is put under the microscope.
64. Bill Ingram
CEO, White Castle Systems Inc. (66)
White Castle packaging went green in 2009 by going to brown recycled paper and cardboard. To honor the Ingram family’s contributions to the community over the years, the family received the 2009 American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award.
65. Cheryl Krueger
founder and CEO, KRUEGER+CO. Consulting Inc. (63)
Krueger has started a new strategic business consulting firm and was named to the new board for the OSU Medical Center. She also serves on the board of Bob Evans Farms Inc.
66. Dick Emens
partner, Emens & Wolper Law Firm; chairman and executive director, Conway Family Business Center (64)
Formerly a partner at Chester Wilcox & Saxbe, Emens started a new firm to provide services just for family-owned businesses focusing on matters involving transfer of ownership and corporate law. He was the first president and was a trustee of Friends of the Libraries of The Ohio State University. He has also served as a board member, officer and/or member of many other professional and business organizations.
67. Brian Ellis
president and COO, Nationwide Realty Investors (65)
Ellis developed the mixed-use Arena District in Columbus. He is now working on a project to redevelop Big Bear warehouse in Grandview Heights that will include retail, restaurants, offices and residential components.
68. Denny Griffith
president, Columbus College of Art & Design ew)
Griffith led the 1,300-student college to an overwhelmingly successful capital campaign by driving 5 percent past its $12 million goal. Much of the money will be used to renovate studios on campus and move the college closer to Griffith’s vision of a 24-hour learning village.
69. Joe A. Alutto
executive vice president and provost, The Ohio State University (74)
Alutto is overseeing the restructuring of the arts and sciences department and named a new head of its arts and sciences colleges. Alutto is also looking to expand student housing, he’s exploring a move to semesters and is a leader in helping OSU to contain the flu from spreading among the student population.
70. Ted Ford
president and CEO, Tech Columbus (68)
Ford continues to move closer to his goal of getting 700 members by 2010. The nonprofit organization announced $700,000 in strategic investment funding to help Central Ohio companies to create new jobs and develop new technologies.
71. Robert Schottenstein
chairman, president and CEO, M/I Homes Inc. (69)
Revenue was off for the first half of 2009, but new contracts were up providing hope that the second half of 2009 would be better.
72. Michael Glimcher
chairman and CEO, Glimcher Realty Trust (71)
Glimcher suffered some losses as malls and retail suffered, but the firm still maintained above 90 percent occupancy at its retail properties during the recession. Glimcher also led the way to expand the outdoor elements of Polaris Fashion Place and appears well-positioned to help keep Columbus growing.
73. Sandra W. Harbrecht
president and CEO, Paul Werth Associates (72)
Harbrecht was honored in May as a nominee for The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business Individual Diversity Award. The firm itself has received multiple awards for its execution and high standards of performance.
74. Gene T. Harris
superintendent,
Columbus City Schools (8)
Harris deferred a raise for the fourth time since becoming superintendent in 2001. The district passed an operating levy last November that will bring the district $77 million a year. The district’s graduation rate dipped slightly this year but has still risen nearly 14 percent since Harris took over. Her next major initiative is improving communication with parents.
75. Robert Trafford
managing partner, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP (73)
Trafford was named Lawyer of the Year in Columbus by The Best Lawyers in America in the categories of Bet The Company litigation and Business Litigation. He is also director of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the board for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. (73)