When historians write the book on the first decade of the
21st century, 2006 will be known as the year of the shake
up. Storms of change raged across the nation, and Ohio was
at the maelstrom’s center.
In Columbus, the GOP leadership that had run Ohio was
swept from power. In its place, an unknown quantity that
hadn’t been seen in statewide office leadership for more
than a decade: the Democrats.
CEOs and civic leadership at some of the region’s major
organizations also replaced their leaders during 2006, most
notably Wendy’s International, which ran its CEO out after
disagreements with shareholders on the most critical issue
for a public company — performance.
With these changes, the cards in the deck that comprise
the Power 100 have been drastically reshuffled. Here, then,
is the Smart Business Power 100 for 2007.
Numbers in parentheses are 2006 rankings.
1. Les Wexner
Chairman and CEO, Limited Brands (1)
Columbus remains Wexner’s domain. His name and influence are
ubiquitous, including Wexner Heritage Village, The Wexner Foundation
and the Wexner Institute for Pediatric Research at Children’s Hospital.
He has a profound interest in the development of tomorrow’s leaders
through the works of the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State
University and is a founding member and chair of the OSU Foundation
and the Columbus Partnership.
2. John F. Wolfe
Chairman, publisher and CEO,
The Dispatch Printing Co. (2)
The scion of the Wolfe dynasty, he’d be No. 1 in any other market. In
addition to his media conglomerate, Wolfe is one of the largest
contributors to local community programs. He serves on the board of The
John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Policy at OSU and the
Downtown Development Corp. He also is part owner of the Blue Jackets
and recently had a new collection named for him at Franklin Park
Conservatory. (Not pictured)
3. Thomas Hoaglin
President and CEO,
Huntington Bancshares Inc. (3)
Hoaglin’s influence across Columbus is unquestioned. He is chairman
of the Columbus Chamber and of the Downtown Development Corp.,
but it’s tough for him to rank higher despite his full-time position as
head of the largest locally owned bank.
4. Jerry Jurgensen
CEO, Nationwide (4)
Like his company’s slogan, Jurgensen is on Columbus’ side. He is a key
power player in downtown development and sits on the boards of the
chamber, Law Enforcement Foundation of Ohio and Ohio State
University Hospital. Jurgensen is also an influential member of
Downtown Development Corp. and the Columbus Partnership.
5. Michael Coleman
Mayor, city of Columbus (5)
Coleman’s decision to stay out of the governor’s race and focus on
Columbus seems prescient in retrospect. Not only has he succeeded in
forging strong public-private partnerships in the city and led the charge
in downtown development, but he also helped get Ted Strickland elected
Ohio governor. As a result, Coleman was named chair of Strickland’s
transition team and today has a hotline into the statehouse.
6. Ron Pizzuti
Chairman and CEO, The Pizzuti Cos. (6)
Pizzuti leads what has become one of the most sought after real estate
companies in the country. His local influence through his holdings
remains unparalleled. His firm’s recent projects include the proposed
Groveport Town Center and SouthPark Business Center. Pizzuti is
providing other public sector services in Central Ohio as the owner’s
representative for the $100 million new Franklin County Court House
in the Franklin County Downtown Complex.
7. Jay Schottenstein
Chairman, American Eagle Outfitters; chairman, Retail Ventures Inc.; chairman and CEO, DSW (7)
Schottenstein’s DSW footwear retailer is one of the hottest public
companies based in Columbus. His real estate ventures are booming
and his name is mentioned in association with projects across the
region. Beyond his business dealings, Schottenstein is a
member of the powerful Downtown Development Corp. and involved in
the local Jewish community.
8. Alex Shumate
Managing partner, Columbus and Cincinnati, Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey (8)
Shumate has arguably become the go-to attorney in town, and his position
on this year’s list allows him to lay claim to the mantle of most powerful
attorney in the region. The former chamber chairman leads Squire
Sanders’ legislative counseling and administrative law activities and he
advises several large companies headquartered in the Midwest. Shumate
serves on the OSU board of trustees, as well as the John Glenn Institute,
Nationwide Financial Services and the Wexner Center for the Arts.
9. Tanny Crane
President and CEO, Crane Group (10)
Crane runs one of the largest family-owned companies in town, and is
an active member of both the business and nonprofit communities. She
serves on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, is a
director of Wendy’s International Inc., a member of the Columbus
Partnership and a trustee of the Columbus Foundation.
10. Larry Hilsheimer
Managing partner and vice chairman, Ohio Valley, Deloitte & Touche USA (12)
Hilsheimer is past chairman of the chamber, serves on the Dean’s
Advisory Council at Fisher College of Business and is on the board of
the Ohio Business Roundtable. His influence in the business community
is undisputed.
11. Robert Werth
Managing partner, Vorys, Sater,
Seymour and Pease LLP (13)
Werth leads the city’s largest law firm and is the chamber’s counsel, as
well as a member of its board. He holds leadership roles on important
community boards, including the Ohio Business Roundtable, Columbus
Law Library Association and the Advisory Board of the Greater
Columbus Sports Commission.
12. Karen Holbrook
President, The Ohio State University (27)
Holbrook’s impact on OSU and the greater Columbus community is
immeasurable because she has spearheaded positive change in so
many ways. Since she took office in 2002, Holbrook has made cutting-edge research a priority and an integral part of the educational process
at all levels of the university. Ohio State now ranks 9th among public
universities in research expenditures. She serves on nearly all major
boards in town and her influence is felt at every level.
13. & 14. Larry and Donna James
Partner, Crabbe Brown & James;
managing director, Lardon & Associates (respectively) (14 &15)
The Columbus power couple. As the “James” in Crabbe Brown &
James, Larry’s expertise is sought by Wolfe, as well as numerous
governmental entities, and he is actively involved in the region’s
cultural circles. As managing director of executive advisory firm
Lardon & Associates, Donna is also the former head of Nationwide’s
diversified financial services arm and extremely well-connected. She
has been named by national publications as one of the most powerful
African-American women in the nation, and serves on the boards of
Limited Brands and Coca-Cola.
15. John Beavers
Counsel for Boards and Executives
Group, Bricker & Eckler LLP (16)
Beavers leads the firm’s powerful Counsel for Boards and Executives
Group and is an expert on entrepreneurship. He is a key player in
helping foster business growth in Columbus and a trustee of the Harry
C. Moores Foundation and the chamber, and a member of OSU’s
influential Alumni Advisory Council.
16. Don M. Casto III
President,
Don M. Casto Organization (17)
Casto’s retail developments pepper the region. His firm manages about
85 shopping centers and 25 apartment communities. Casto is a
member of the chamber board, a director of Huntington Bancshares and
plays a significant role in downtown redevelopment.
17. Leonard Schlesinger
Vice chairman and COO,
Limited Brands Inc. (26)
Schlesinger is responsible for operational and financial leadership at the
dominant corporate conglomerate and he’s heavily involved in the
Columbus community. He is a member of the governing committee of
the Columbus Foundation, the strategic advisory group of The Ohio
State University Medical Center and the board of CompeteColumbus. In
less than a decade, Schlesinger has become the second face of Limited
Brands and established a powerful presence of his own.
18. Curt Loveland
Partner, Porter, Wright, Morris
& Arthur LLP (19)
Loveland represents emerging and established companies and
investors in financial matters such as raising capital, mergers and
acquisitions, and public offerings. He serves on the board of Applied
Innovations, Rocky Shoes and Boots, and is corporate secretary of
CheckFree Corp.
19. George Jenkins
Of counsel, Vorys, Sater,
Seymour & Pease (20)
Jenkins combines powerful past political connections with private
investment savvy. He is an expert on mergers and acquisitions, as well
as corporate financing. He serves on the Kent State University board of
trustees.
20. Carl F. Kohrt
President and CEO, Battelle (37)
Battelle’s name seems to be associated with just about every civic,
business or community activity in Columbus, and that’s by no small
measure a result of Kohrt’s efforts to be involved. He serves on the
chamber board, as well as that of the Downtown Columbus Corp. Commercializing technology remains Kohrt’s focus, and he works closely
with Holbrook and OSU to lead those efforts.
21. Matt Kallner
Attorney, Law Offices of
Matthew G. Kallner (21)
Democrats in power will do little to reduce Kallner’s influence as he
works well with both sides of the aisle and is a close ally of Mayor
Coleman. A key member of the chamber’s Government Affairs
Steering Committee, this former director of government relations
for The Limited represents such clients as Wexner’s ]Limited
Brands, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Huntington Bancshares, M/I
Homes, Worthington Industries and New Albany Co.
22. Bea Wolper
Partner, Chester, Wilcox & Saxbe (22)
Columbus is rife with family businesses, and Wolper’s family-business expertise (she co-authored a book on the subject) keeps her
in demand around town. She is a member of Wexner’s Director’s
Circle Council, the Family Business Center and The Capital Club. She
is also founder and president of the Women’s Business Board.
23. Michael Fiorile
President, Dispatch Printing Co. (23)
As day-to-day top dog at this media conglomerate, Fiorile wields great
influence. He is also a member of the powerful National Association of Broadcasters’ television board and the boards of the Columbus College
of Art and Design and State Auto.
24. Ty Marsh
President and CEO, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce (29)
In 2006, Marsh formalized a partnership with the Mid-Ohio
Development Exchange and helped spark a spate of job creation
downtown. He needs to work well with Strickland, but we portend more
good tidings in 2007 for the chamber chief.
25. Bob Milbourne
CEO, The Columbus Partnership (41)
As Milbourne’s membership roster grows — it stands at 30 executives
from the top companies in the region — so does his influence. He
works with the most influential and powerful players in Columbus and
what he says means a lot these days. Milbourne earned a seat on the
chamber board and also helped defeat the controversial gambling
proposal last November.
26. Mark Barbash
Director, Columbus Department of Trade
& Development (28)
Barbash remains a critical voice in downtown development and
business growth efforts. He’s been at the nexus of many public/private
partnerships and leads a department of more than 400 people.
27. & 28. Neil Clark & Paul Tipps
Co-owners, State Street
Consultants (24 & 25)
The public seems fed up with politics but with a client list that’s a who’s
who of Ohio businesses, not-for-profit organizations and local
governments, it’s hard to argue that Clark and Tipps’ powerful
independent lobbyist firm remains a key player.
29. Friedl Bohm
Chairman, NBBJ (18)
Bohm runs one of the largest architectural firm in the world, so
when he speaks about design people listen. NBBJ continues to be a
powerful force in architecture from its offices in Columbus and
Seattle.
30. Jack Kessler
Owner, John W. Kessler Co.;
chairman, The New Albany Co. (30)
Kessler and his real estate firm are credited with the expansive growth
of the New Albany community. He is a director of Abercrombie & Fitch
Co. and serves on the board of JP Morgan Chase. A business colleague
of Wexner, he’s a true mover and shaker.
31. Rich Langdale
Founder, NCT Ventures; exec. director,
OSU Center for Entrepreneurship (26)
Langdale founded and funded OSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and
chairs its Entrepreneurship steering committee. His venture firm has
founded or funded 17 business operations.
32. Curt Moody
President and CEO, Moody/Nolan (33)
Moody’s firm has served as principal architect for projects such OSU’s
Schottenstein Center, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Last year, his team designed The Ohio
State University Geiger Lounge at The Jerome Schottenstein Center
and Butler University’s Health and Recreation Complex.
33. Robert M. Eversole
President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank,
Central Ohio (35)
Eversole’s leadership roles include serving on the chamber board,
OSU’s Dean’s Advisory Council and the Columbus State Community
College Development board.
34. Ted Strickland
Governor, State of Ohio [NEW]
As incoming governor, Strickland’s influence is immediate. An unproven
commodity, we feel it’s only fair to launch him onto this list at a spot a
bit higher than where Bob Taft left it.
35. Bob Walter
Founder and former CEO,
Cardinal Health Inc. (9)
Walter’s wealth isn’t in dispute, but as he enters his golden years of
retirement from active corporate leadership, his local power influence
is going down. He currently serves as director of the Battelle Memorial
Institute and Ohio University, as well as The American Express Co. and
CBS Corp., so his voice remains a powerful one.
36. Kurt Tunnell
Partner, Bricker & Eckler LLP (34)
The GOP took a hit in Ohio and elsewhere recently, so it’s only natural
that this former chief legal counsel to former Gov. George Voinovich and
counsel for the Ohio Republication Party would take a bit of a hit as well.
He chairs his firm’s government relations practice and is also general
counsel for the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, so he’s still a player.
37. Roger Geiger
Vice president, Midwest region,
National Federation of Independent
Business, Ohio (32)
Like Tunnell, Strickland and the Dems’ victory is an apparent loss
for Geiger as head of the organization’s Midwest region. His efforts
against Issue 2 proved futile, as the minimum wage initiative
passed. But don’t count him out; he’s gearing up for 2008.
38. Curt Steiner
Senior vice president for university
relations, The Ohio State University (39)
Steiner has put his pedigree as former chief of staff for former Gov.
George Voinovich to good work in this position and helped OSU
President Karen Holbrook improve the university’s fortunes. Steiner is
proof that political connections pay off.
39. John P. McConnell
Chairman and CEO,
Worthington Industries (43)
McConnell leads a thriving $3 billion steel processor and manufacturer that employs more than 8,000 people. He serves on the board of directors
of Alltel Corp. and The Wilds and is active in the business community.
40. Melissa Ingwersen
President, JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
Central Ohio (40)
Ingwersen leads this bank’s central Ohio operations and is a well-known
figure in Columbus’ business circles. She sits on the chamber board, as well
as the boards of the YWCA, Franklin University and Ross Heart Hospital. She
is also a member of The Columbus Partnership.
41. Lewis Smoot Sr.
President and CEO, The Smoot Corp. (44)
Smoot’s stock is rising. His firm is involved with high-profile projects such
as the Academic Center D at Columbus State Community College and the
Cancer Hospital and Research Institute at OSU. He is also on the board of
the Downtown Development Corp.
42. Jack Ruscilli
CEO, Ruscilli Construction Co. Inc. (45)
Ruscilli’s clients include T. Marzetti, Target and McGraw-Hill, and you can
find his company’s red, black and white Ruscilli logo on trailers and cranes
all over the region. Among current projects is the Hampton Inn & Suites in
Polaris.
43. David P. Blom
President and CEO, OhioHealth (68)
Blom’s leap can be attributed to two things: he’s the chairman-elect of the
chamber, a position that oozes influence, and he’s proven himself a capable
leader at OhioHealth, which not only is expanding but has been profitable
every year since 2002.
44. Tami Longaberger
CEO, The Longaberger Co. (46)
Up two notches after her company seems to have turned the corner. She
hired 150 full-time employees last summer and then in late September
announced plans to add 100 more. She remains a powerful influence in the
community, serving on the board of directors of The John Glenn Institute.
45. John B. Gerlach Jr.
Chairman, president and CEO,
Lancaster Colony Corp. (48)
Gerlach is a powerful voice around town. He is a member of the Columbus
Partnership and trustee for the Columbus Foundation. His company is one
of only 22 U.S. companies to have increased cash dividends each year for
44 consecutive years and has paid a cash dividend to shareholders for 174
consecutive quarters.
46. Blane Walter
Chairman and CEO,
inChord Communications (54)
Walter sold his company in 2005 with the hope of tapping into a larger firm’s
war chest to spearhead growth. His hope was prescient. inChord’s employee
base has grown from 600 people to more than 1,000, nearly 500 of which
are based in Central Ohio. We predicted a small gain for ’07 but Walter has
surpassed even our estimates.
47. M. Valeriana Moeller
President and CEO, Columbus State
Community College (50)
Columbus State continues to thrive under Moeller’s leadership. She serves
on the boards of the Downtown Development Corp. and COSI.
48. Doug Kridler
President and CEO,
Columbus Foundation (66)
Community heavy-hitters look to Kridler to help support the community and
manage family funds and supporting foundations. He oversees more than
$850 million and when he speaks, people listen.
49. Dwight Smith
President and CEO,
Sophisticated Systems (49)
Smith is a mover and shaker in the regional tech community. His impressive
customer list includes Nationwide, Limited Brands, the state of Ohio and the
Columbus chamber.
50. David Milenthal
CEO, Milenthal Group (67)
Milenthal was senior strategist for Strickland’s successful campaign,
which means his influence is on the rise. He has served on a number
of high-profile community boards, including OhioHealth Hospital
System Foundation and Capital University.
51. Michael Gonsiorowski
President and CEO, National City Bank
Central Region (51)
Gonsiorowski leads one of the city’s largest financial institutions and was
2006 General Campaign Chair for United Way of Central Ohio.
52. Bob Weiler Sr.
Chairman, The Robert Weiler Co. (50)
Weiler, a powerful developer, serves on the board of the Ohio Capital Corp.
for Housing, an organization that works to create affordable neighborhoods
throughout Ohio. He is a past president of the Columbus Board of Realtors.
53. Abigail Wexner
Founder and chair, Columbus Coalition
Against Family Violence (62)
This Wexner is again on the move as a powerful community activist. She
chairs the Center for Child and Family Advocacy board and founded the
Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence.
54. David Meuse
Principal, Stonehenge
Financial Holdings (56)
The former CEO of Banc One Capital Holdings holds the purse strings on this
$325 million investment firm and is vice chairman of the Columbus
Foundation. He is also a member of the Columbus Partnership.
55. Julie Kunkel
Managing partner, Ernst & Young (42)
Kunkel runs the 200-employee office and handles the Limited Brands
account. Past clients include Target and Best Buy.
56. Cheryl Krueger
President and CEO, Cheryl&Co (47)
Krueger may no longer own Cheryl&Co., but her influence in the region
remains strong. She is involved with numerous philanthropic organizations
and is on the chamber board.
57. Nancy Kramer
Founder and CEO,
Resource Interactive (55)
Kramer’s business is thriving and her client base contains a who’s who of
business including Apple, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart. She
is heavily involved in the region’s technology improvements.
58. Frank Kass
CEO, Continental Real Estate Cos. (57)
Kass has projects galore around Columbus but has also branched out by
opening offices in Pittsburgh, Dallas and Orlando. He and his wife are very
involved in the community.
59. Michael Petrecca
Managing partner, Columbus office,
PricewaterhouseCoopers (58)
Petrecca manages one of the most powerful accounting firms in town and
is an expert on Sarbanes-Oxley. He also serves on the boards of
TechColumbus and the Greater Columbus Red Cross.
60. Bill Ingram
CEO, White Castle Systems Inc. (53)
Ingram is former chair of The Columbus Foundation’s board of trustees,
where he worked with his peers to help make policy and determine grants.
Though he no longer serves on the board, he remains influential.
61. Michael Morris
Chairman, president and CEO, AEP (61)
Morris has made his mark on the power company and is in the process of
a $4 billion environmental improvement project due to be completed in
2010. Morris is past chairman of the Edison Electric Institute and is a
member of the Downtown Development Corp.
62. Dick Emens
Partner, Chester, Wilcox & Saxbe LLP;
executive director, Family
Business Center (59)
Emens, co-founder of the Family Business Center, is a go-to adviser for family-owned companies. He is also a trustee at Franklin University, where he is a past
chairman.
63. Zuheir Sofia
Chairman, Sofia & Co. (60)
Sofia is a powerful voice in the regional banking community and sits on the
board of directors of Dominion Homes. He also serves on the Ohio Banking
Commission.
64. Fred Sanfilippo
CEO, OSU Medical Center (65)
Sanfilippo’s organization continues to make news with its research efforts.
With those gains, he’s become a more influential member of the business
community.
65. Jim Grote
Founder, chairman and CEO,
Donatos Pizzeria (63)
Grote is in the process of grooming his daughter as head of the pizza
company, but remains actively involved in the community. He has served as
general board chairman of the YMCA and on the President’s Roundtable
Forum.
66. Pat Dugan
Partner, Squires, Sanders
& Dempsey LLP (70)
Dugan is well-connected because of his ties to the Columbus Venture Network
and the largesse over the past few years from former Gov. Taft’s Third Frontier
Project. He runs his firm’s financial services practice group and is a highly
sought after corporate adviser.
67. Robert Schottenstein
President and chairman,
M/I Schottenstein Homes Inc. (69)
Schottenstein’s perch atop one of the largest homebuilders in the region
provides him with connections and influence.
68. Phil Urban
President and CEO, Grange Insurance (71)
Urban creeps up the list three spots because he’s the current treasurer of
Downtown Development Corp.
69. Elaine Roberts
Executive director, Port Columbus
International Airport [NEW]
Big things are happening at Port Columbus and Roberts is the reason why. She
successfully attracted Skybus Airlines as part of the three-year, $23 million
improvement plan. The airline starts operations this spring.
70. Kerrii B. Anderson
President and CEO,
Wendy’s International Inc. [NEW]
Anderson was promoted from CFO to CEO after predecessor John
Schuessler was shown the door because of disappointing results. She’s
been a Wendy’s director since 2000, and less than a year into her role,
Anderson has already begun a significant corporate turnaround.
71. Gene Smith
Director of athletics,
The Ohio State University. [NEW]
Smith leads a department that generates in excess of $90 million a year
for OSU and engages the corporate community. Vying for the national
championship in football each year doesn’t hurt his prospects either.
72. Terry Foegler
President, Campus Partners for
Community Urban Redevelopment (72)
Foegler is former director of development and assistant city manager for the
city of Dublin. OSU campus-area construction is booming and Foegler’s the
man leading the charge.
73. John Christie
President and COO,
Worthington Industries (73)
Christie is McConnell’s right-hand man and currently serves as chairman of
the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. He is a member of the
board of directors for Worthington Industries and Citizens National Bank, and
also serves on the advisory board of Battelle Memorial Institute Pension Plan.
74. and 75. Alan Wasserstrom
and Rodney N. Wasserstrom
Co-presidents, Wasserstrom
& Sons (74 and 75)
It was another good year for one of the largest family-owned businesses in
the region. Wasserstrom’s real estate interests downtown continue to be
successful.
76. Ted Ford
President and CEO, TechColumbus [NEW]
Ford leads an organization that’s the result of a merger of the Columbus
Technology Council and the Business Technology Center. Under Ford,
TechColumbus’ membership has grown to more than 225 organizations
representing approximately 100,000 employees.
77. Robert Trafford
Managing partner, Porter Wright
Morris and Arthur (79)
Trafford focuses on litigation issues such as RICO and trade secrets, and
serves on the chamber board. He is heavily involved in the Legal Aid Society.
78. Brian Ellis
President, Nationwide Realty
Investors (78)
The Arena District remains critical to downtown development and Ellis is at
the nexus.
79. Janet Jackson
President and CEO, United Way
Central Ohio (80)
As head of a high-profile nonprofit, Jackson wields influence with a powerful
board.
80. Mary Jo Hudson
Attorney, Bailey Cavalieri;
member, Columbus City Council [NEW]
Hudson is a veritable ball of energy. The lawyer was appointed and then
elected to Columbus City Council; she volunteers for numerous nonprofits;
and she serves on the boards of the Greater Columbus Arts Council,
TechColumbus and United Way.
81. Sandy Harbrecht
President, Paul Werth Associates (82)
A nationally recognized leader in the public relations industry, Harbrecht
consults with CEOs and senior executives on communications strategy. She is
chairman of the board of trustees at Kent State University and headed the
search committee for Kent’s new president. She also headed up the effective
“SmokeFreeOhio” campaign last fall.
82. Gene T. Harris
Superintendent, Columbus
Public Schools (81)
Harris has done a good job turning around the school system, which has
earned her the respect of the community and its business leaders.
83. Joe Alutto
Dean and John W. Berry senior chair
in business, OSU Fisher College
of Business (84)
Alutto is working with regional employers to help them attract the best talent
for Central Ohio, putting him shoulder to shoulder with the other region’
movers and shakers.
84. Michael Glimcher
President and CEO,
Glimcher Realty Trust [NEW]
He took the reins of the company from his father in 2005 and hasn’t looked
back. Glimcher serves on the boards of the chamber and United Way. (Not
pictured)
85. Lawrence L. Fisher
President and CEO, Columbus
Downtown Development Corp. [NEW]
His stock is rising as downtown investments and projects grow. Among the
projects he’s bringing to fruition are the new $65 million Huntington Park
ballpark for the Columbus Clippers and continuing to bring more housing
projects downtown.
86. Paula Inniss
President, Ohio Full Court Press (86)
Inniss is vice chairman of the Columbus State Community College’s
of trustees and extremely active in the community. She is also involved with
the United Negro College Fund.
87. Chester R. Jourdan Jr.
Executive director, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission [NEW]
Jourdan joined MORPC in December from a similar post in southeast
Texas, where he was known as an expert on regionalism. He’s focused
on developing and fostering cooperation and collaboration, and should
have a powerful regional voice.
88. Cameron Mitchell
President,
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants LLC (88)
As Mitchell’s restaurant empire grows, he’s becoming more well-known —
not just in Columbus but nationwide.
89. Kyle Katz
President, The Katz Interests Inc. (89)
Katz remains an important downtown developer.
90. Doug Borror
Chairman, president and CEO,
Dominion Homes (90)
Borror’s company is seeing the same housing slump as competitors
nationwide, but he’s shown a successful track record in riding the housing
market’s ups and downs. His corporate restructuring is proving effective
as well. He is an OSU trustee and on the Advisory Board of Goodwill
Industries.
91. J. Daniel Schmidt
President, JDS Cos. and Cityspace(91)
Schmidt’s goal with Cityspace is to identify unique buildings or locations in urban areas and create modern commercial spaces. He’s best known for the Market Exchange District.
92. Douglas Morgan
Managing partner, Columbus office,
Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP (92)
Morgan counsels public and private companies on a host of corporate governance issues. He’s also a board member of Children’s Hospital Foundation.
93. Gary McCullough
President, Abbott Laboratories’ Ross Products division (93)
McCullough’s presence is felt through his work on the chamber board and the Columbus Partnership.
94. Herb Glimcher
Chairman, Glimcher Realty Trust (64)
Glimcher may no longer run the company that bears his name, but he is still active in the community and retains influence in the region.
95. and 96. Cameron James
and Ken Mills
CEO and president, Mills/James
Productions Inc. (95 and 96)
James and Mills lead a growing organization and believe strongly in giving back to the communities where they live and work.
97. Larry Ruben
President and CEO,
Plaza Properties [NEW]
Ruben is currently the owner/operator of 4,000 apartment units and 22 shopping centers in Central Ohio. His development projects are many, and he’s been overlooked on this list for too long.
98. Robert C. White
Founder and chairman,
The Daimler Group (99)
White’s focused on development in the Westerville/Polaris area. He partners with powerful players Casto and Schottenstein.
99. David Powell
President, SZD Economic Development
Advisors LLC [NEW]
Powell left his post as president of CompeteColumbus in August to launch this division of the Schottenstein Zox & Dunn law firm, which aims to provide economic development services to the corporate community. With Powell’s contact
base, he’ll have no shortage of takers.
100. James E. Davidson
Managing partner, Schottenstein
Zox & Dunn [NEW]
Davidson’s only been on the job since 2002 but he’s changed SZD for the better by relocating the firm’s headquarters to the Arena District and establishing six ancillary businesses. His ties to clients such as Nationwide Realty
Investors and Huntington put him in the right power circles.