2026 Smart Business Evolution of Manufacturing
The 2026 Smart Business Evolution in Manufacturing Awards honor innovative Northeast Ohio manufacturers. See who we recognized this year!
How Ken Ganley steered through 11 acquisitions in 2025 to expand Ohio’s largest auto dealer group
Whether or not Ganley’s growth this year involves more acquisitions, one thing is certain: He will stay focused on his people, treating them as the most important asset in his business.
2025 Pillar Award for Community Service – Northeast Ohio
The Pillar Award for Community Service recognizes businesses and individuals dedicated to making Northeast Ohio a better place to live. See who we honored this year!
2025 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Awards recognize region’s top leadership
Smart 50 Northeast Ohio recognizes the region’s top leadership. See who took home the honors this year!
2025 Northeast Ohio Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars
The Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars program recognizes the industry’s most promising up-and-coming professionals. See the 2025 class of honorees.
Fady Chamoun grows Aladdin’s and Seasoned Brands with a commitment to Lebanese heritage and hospitality
With some 2,200 employees across a footprint that stretches into four states and abroad, the Chamoun family is focused on extending their heartfelt hospitality as the company continues to grow.
How Jared Maloof navigates obstacles in the nascent cannabis industry to grow Standard Wellness Co.
How Jared Maloof helped build Standard Wellness into a vertically integrated multi-state operator with almost 400 employees in four states, nearing $100 million in revenue.
Meet the 2025 Smart Women Award honorees
The 2025 Smart Women honoree class represents savvy women leaders who leverage unique strengths to drive change, build community and revolutionize the status quo.
Uncertainty hobbles dealmakers as the M&A world awaits clarity
Several area dealmakers offer their take on how they’re seeing the market, the opportunities and challenges facing both buyers and sellers, and how they expect the deal year to finish up.
2025 Smart Culture Awards
The 2025 Smart Culture Awards honor local organizations that have demonstrated cutting-edge practices in cultivating and sustaining their culture. See who we recognized this year.
Riverside’s formula for investing in success to drive long-term growth
From a little buyout shop to a global firm, co-CEOs Béla Szigethy and Stewart Kohl discuss the fundamental business philosophies underpinning The Riverside Co.’s incredible growth.
How Flexjet fuels growth around the globe with a focus on building trust and exemplifying empathy
By embracing three guiding principles Kenn Ricci fuels Flexjet’s growth while carving out its position as an industry leader.
2025 Smart Business Evolution of Manufacturing
The 2025 Smart Business Evolution in Manufacturing Awards honor innovative Northeast Ohio manufacturers. See who we recognized this year!
How Bob Serpentini is developing future leaders to grow Serpentini Auto Group
Serpentini had to learn that running a sustainable business demands more than just steady sales.
2024 Pillar Award for Community Service – Northeast Ohio
The Northeast Ohio 2024 Pillar Award for Community Service honorees have been chosen. See who we’re recognizing this year.
2024 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Awards recognize region’s top leadership
Smart 50 Northeast Ohio recognizes the region’s top leadership. See who took home the honors this year!
2024 Northeast Ohio Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars
The 2024 Northeast Ohio Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars program recognizes up-and-coming professionals in M&A. Here are the dealmakers we’re honoring this year.
How Ken Taylor is preparing the fourth generation to carry on Ohio CAT’s legacy
By giving back, Ohio Machinery Co. continues building up the state, from major construction projects to causes behind the scenes.
Brian Zimmerman grows Cleveland Metroparks into its second century of stewardship
With several projects underway to continue enhancing aging facilities, expanding amenities and extending the Cleveland Metroparks’ reach throughout the community, Zimmerman sees plenty of opportunity to boost the system’s value and impact as its footprint continues to grow.
Celebrating 90 years in business, Swensons Drive-In fuels growth by embracing its legacy
Swensons has become revered both for its fresh-grilled, made-to-order meals, as well as its friendly, speedy curbside service.
Market conditions have dealmakers digging deeper for elusive M&A gold
Interest rates are, unsurprisingly, top of mind for the dealmakers we spoke with for this year’s state of M&A article.
2024 Smart Culture Awards
The 2024 Smart Culture Awards honor local organizations that have demonstrated cutting-edge practices in cultivating and sustaining their culture. See who we recognized this year.
Meet the 2024 Smart Women Award honorees
Whether making mid-life professional pivots or dedicating their entire careers to a single field, the women joining this year’s Smart Women Breakfast & Awards panel have successfully carved out opportunities for themselves across a range of male-dominated industries. On April 25, this panel of female leaders will take the stage to share their unique career experiences, with the goal of inspiring other businesswomen to overcome and achieve.
Nic Barlage drives Rock Entertainment Group’s ambitious plans for itself and the city
Much like a basketball net itself, REG, under Dan Gilbert’s vision as founder and chairman and Barlage’s leadership as CEO, is made up of elements woven together.
2024 Smart Business Evolution of Manufacturing
The 2024 Smart Business Evolution in Manufacturing Awards honor innovative Northeast Ohio manufacturers. See who we recognized this year!
CEO Jon Bostock takes the wheel of the Leaf Home “Lamborghini” Matt Kaulig built
Here’s how Matt Kaulig built Leaf Home and how new CEO Jon Bostock plans to build upon this platform during the next chapter of the company’s unstoppable growth story.
2023 Pillar Award for Community Service – Northeast Ohio
The Northeast Ohio 2023 Pillar Award for Community Service honorees have been chosen. See who we’re recognizing this year.
2023 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Awards recognize region’s top leadership
Smart 50 Northeast Ohio recognizes the region’s top leadership. See who took home the honors this year!
How CEO Michael Hoy is building Great Day Improvements into a national powerhouse
Having recently surpassed $1 billion in revenue, Michael Hoy is managing Great Day Improvements’ rapid growth by rallying his team of nearly 2,700 employees around his vision.
Vic DiGeronimo Jr. builds on the foundation laid by his forefathers
As third-generation CEO, Vic DiGeronimo Jr. continues to honor the strong work ethic and innovative thinking instilled by his grandfather, father and uncles before him.
Ed Largent leads Westfield to growth by staying focused on the firm’s founding mission
Westfield’s guiding vision and values have remained constant while the world has changed drastically through the decades.
Meet the 2023 Smart Women Award honorees
These Northeast Ohio professionals encourage, inspire and empower their organizations’ up-and-coming women. Read on to see who has been recognized this year.
How Tri-C’s new president is aligning academic programs and economic opportunities
Here are the three themes new Tri-C President Michael A. Baston culled from his 2,000-person listening process, and how these informed his new vision for the college.
Navigating M&A uncertainty in the face of economic headwinds
Deal math is changing in the face of economic headwinds. With capital constrained, how will strategies evolve?
2023 Smart Culture Awards
The 2023 Smart Culture Awards honor local organizations that have demonstrated cutting-edge practices in cultivating and sustaining their culture. See who we recognized this year.
Honesty, integrity, drive Michael E. Gibbons in business, politics
As BGL continues to grow, with five offices from coast to coast, Gibbons stays focused on sustaining a strong reputation for honesty and integrity — whether he’s in the corporate boardroom or on the campaign trail.
2023 Smart Business Evolution of Manufacturing
The 2023 Smart Business Evolution in Manufacturing Awards honor innovative Northeast Ohio manufacturers. See who we recognized this year!
How MAI Capital Management LLC expands its national reach through strategic acquisitions
From the beginning, Buoncore’s goal was not necessarily to be the biggest firm but to be the best at taking care of people.
2022 Pillar Award for Community Service – Northeast Ohio
The Northeast Ohio 2022 Pillar Award for Community Service honorees have been chosen. See who we’re recognizing this year.
2022 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Awards recognize region’s top leadership
The Northeast Ohio Smart 50 awards recognize the region’s top leadership. Check out this year’s honorees!
How Crawford United Corp. grows acquired companies to save U.S. manufacturing jobs
Crawford United Corp. President and CEO Brian E. Powers is proving that shareholder value can be achieved without cutting jobs or moving operations overseas.
How Malco Products prepared for a smooth transition into the fourth generation of leadership
How Stuart Glauberman charted a different course to facilitate his son’s successful passage into leadership at Malco Products Inc.
How Chris Gorman led KeyBank to record-setting growth during the pandemic
Chris Gorman led KeyBank through tough times to emerge stronger and better prepared for the rapid changes facing the industry. Here’s how he did it.
Benesch prepares for a move to Key Tower as the law firm continues its nationwide expansion
Benesch Managing Partner Gregg A. Eisenberg on his approach to growing the firm, even through a global pandemic.
Meet the 2022 Smart Women Award honorees
These Northeast Ohio professionals are leading the way in creating strong organizations and mentoring up-and-coming women.
The M&A Boom: How long can it last?
The 2022 landscape remains strong and active for companies pursuing all aspects of M&A activities. But how long can it last?
2022 Smart Culture Awards
The 2022 Smart Culture Awards honor local organizations that have demonstrated cutting-edge practices in cultivating and sustaining their culture. See who we recognized this year.
2022 Smart Business Evolution of Manufacturing
The 2022 Smart Business Evolution in Manufacturing Awards honor innovative Northeast Ohio manufacturers. See who we recognized this year!
Developer Sam Petros finds success — for himself and others — by selling his vision
How Sam Petros founded and grew Petros Development Co. and Petros Homes Inc., which combined have brought more than 3,000 new homes to Northeast Ohio and completed over 100 commercial projects.
Dave’s Markets connects with communities to grow together
Dave’s Markets and its five generations of the family in the business grow by learning from their customers and embedding themselves into the communities they serve.
2021 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Awards recognize region’s top leadership
The Smart 50 awards recognize the region’s top leadership. Check out this year’s honorees!
Meet the 2021 Smart Women Award honorees
2021 Smart Women Breakfast & Awards celebrates some of our community’s most committed and accomplished women, and champions of women’s leadership.
2021 Family Business Achievement Awards
The 2021 Family Business and Business Longevity honorees represent some of Northeast Ohio’s successful family-owned businesses that are growing for the next generation. Check out this year’s class.
Eric Schnur empowers Lubrizol to support those on the front lines of the pandemic
How Lubrizol Corp.’s Eric Schnur stabilized the company while positioning it to protect those serving on the front lines in this global COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris Haas always has an eye on what the customer needs
As one of seven children growing up in a blue-collar family in Lakewood, Chris Haas has always been well-acquainted with the value of a hard day’s work.
AJ Petitti has Petitti Garden Centers poised for another big year
Spring has sprung and AJ Petitti can’t wait to get going on another growing season in Northeast Ohio. Petitti Garden Centers is an iconic company built on the bonds of family and great customer service.
Cleveland Clinic’s new CEO is poised to confront health care’s greatest threats
Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic conveys a sense of the calm, the strength, the wisdom and the leadership he will need to lead the Cleveland Clinic into the future.