Board of Directors
2025 Officers
Chair: Julie Wesel, Chemstress Consultant
President: Kimberly Beckett, Downtown Akron Partnership
Vice Chair: Greta Johnson, County of Summit
Treasurer: Gregg Mervis, John S. Knight Center
Secretary: Laura Wallerstein, McDonald Hopkins
2025 Executive Committee
Traci Buckner, Akron Children's Museum
Jessica Cherok, GAR Foundation
Malcolm J. Costa, Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.
Michael Derr, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Dawn Distler, METRO RTA
Tracy Dowe, Fifth Third Bank
Chris Griffith, Lock 3
Greta Johnson, County of Summit
Gregg Mervis, John S. Knight Center
Brian J. Moore, Roetzel
Amy Patton, Huntington
Donald J. Pavlik, PNC
Laura Wallerstein, McDonald Hopkins
Julie Wesel, Chemstress Consultant
Term Ending 2025
Jessica Cherok, GAR Foundation
Michael Derr, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Dawn Distler, METRO RTA
Emily Gellatly, Student
Dave Lieberth, Akron History Center, Inc.
Rana Matar, Akron Municipal Clerk of Courts
Gregg Mervis, John S. Knight Center
Donald J. Pavlik, PNC
Ilene Shapiro, County of Summit - Summit County Executive
Charlie Somtrakool, Cilantro Thai & Sushi
Dominique Waters, Akron Sneaker Academy
Term Ending 2026
Donae Ceja, Tactical & Practical LLC
Carla Chapman, Akron Public Schools
Malcolm Costa, Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.
Tracy Dowe, Fifth Third Bank
Kirk Gardner, FirstEnergy
Chris Griffith, Lock 3
Greta Johnson, County of Summit - Summit County Executive Office
Brian J. Moore, Roetzel & Andress
C. Allen Nichols, Akron Bar Association
Amy Patton, Huntington
Tom Rybak, TMR & Associates
Julie Wesel, Chemstress Consultant
Term Ending 2027
Rachel Bridenstine, Development Finance Authority of Summit County
Traci Buckner, Akron Children's Museum
Luis Escudero Muniz, El Patron Tequileria & Cuisine
Brittany Ferguson-Mike, The University of Akron
Sue Hobson, Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Willy Kollman, The University of Akron
Ralph Palmisano, Hanna Rasnick Evanchan Palmisano Hobson & Fox
Heather Raybould, Downtown Resident
Brian J. Peterson, GPD Group
Rick Rogers, Curated Storefront
Laura Wallerstein, McDonald Hopkins
SID Board (Ex-Officio)
Chair: Lee Walko, Brennan Manna & Diamond
Denise Armstrong, McKinley Commercial Services LLC
Michael Kunce, Ocasek Management
Alicia LaMancusa, Akron Children's Hospital
Ryan Pritt, Pritt Properties
Sean Vollman, City of Akron
Margo Sommerville, President, Akron City Council
Downtown Akron Partnership Non-Discrimination Policy
Downtown Akron Partnership does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.
Downtown Akron Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.