Ryan Gilkerson, 45
Client relations liaison at CoCreative CLE and on-air personality at WOVU 95.9 FM
I’m a big advocate for Painesville. Whether it be at my job, at CoCreative CLE or as a radio host at WOVU 95.9 FM, I’m always finding ways to let people know about Painesville.
Along with being the public address voice of the Harvey Red Raiders, I also have a company called Ville City Clothing, where we raise money for Painesville’s schools.
Painesville is this great tapestry of cultures where we’re all coming together to form a community. From the kids up to the grandparents, everyone is proud of our city.
We have a lot of diversity in Painesville and for some reason that’s been given a negative connotation.
That’s our greatest asset.
Painesville has been a little bit behind in development but that’s beginning to change. We’re beginning to have people in our downtown, which is going to create a ton of opportunities.
We might not have the same fanfare as some of the other East Side suburbs, but I think now we’re beginning to judge ourselves on our own metrics.
I’m at a point in my life where myself and my friends can mentor the younger generation. It’s incredible to see them begin to love Painesville in their own way. It’s different from how my generation was, yet that love is still there.
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