Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Celebrating 25 Years of Community Leadership & 225 Years of Business History.

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  • Ahuja, Monte

    2003 - Transtar Industries Inc.
    Monte Ahuja's Transtar Indstries was born out of a business plan — one that succeeded. 
  • Albanese, Virginia

    Albanese, Virginia

    2013 - FedEx Custom Critical
    After more than six years on top at FedEx Custom Critical, Virginia Albanese has transformed the FedEx corporate motto, People-Service-Profit, into a personal mantra that shapes nearly everything she does.
  • Alexander, Anthony

    Alexander, Anthony

    2006 - FirstEnergy Corp.
    One of Akron's favorite sons, Anthony Alexander, has led FirstEnergy Corp. through times of great challenge and dynamic growth.
  • Anderson, Warren

    Anderson, Warren

    2006 - The Anderson-DuBose Co.
    Warren Anderson traveled the world and changed careers before he created the largest black-owned company in Ohio — Anderson-Dubose Co.
  • Andrews, Samuel

    Andrews, Samuel

    1996 - Standard Oil Co.
    Samuel Andrews (1836-1904) worked with John D. Rockefeller at Standard Oil.
  • Austin, Samuel

    Austin, Samuel

    1997 - The Austin Co.
    Samuel Austin and his son built Austin Co. into one of the largest construction firms in the United States.
  • Baker, Newton D.

    Baker, Newton D.

    1996 - Baker & Hostetler
    Newton D. Baker (1871-1937) founded the law firm that's known today as Baker & Hostetler.
  • Baker, Richard T.

    Baker, Richard T.

    1998 - Ernst & Ernst
    Richard T. Baker laid the groundwork for Cleveland's rebirth and helped make it a center of charitable giving. But not before trans-forming the face of accounting. 
  • Bares, Jack

    Bares, Jack

    2013 - Milbar Corp.
    With a love of machinery and a fix-it mentality, entrepreneur Jack Bares launched or invested in nearly 40 companies while supporting small businesses as one of the first members of the Council of Smaller Enterprises.
  • Beaumont, Louis D.
  • Beeghly, Leon A.

    Beeghly, Leon A.

    2000 - Standard Slag Co.
    Leon A. Beeghly found a market for his innovation and quietly shared his wealth.
  • Bell, Jess

    Bell, Jess

    1996 - Bonne Bell Inc.
    Jess Bell is the head of Bonne Bell Inc.
  • Berg, Jodi

    Berg, Jodi

    2017 - Vitamix
    Jodi Berg carries on the family tradition of a purpose-filled approach to business at Vitamix.
  • Biggar, Jim

    Biggar, Jim

    1996 - Glencairn Development Corp.
    Jim Biggar formed Glencairn Development Corp.
  • Bishop, Paul

    Bishop, Paul

    2009 - H-P Products Inc.
    Paul Bishop of H-P Products Inc. talked to us about why change matters in life and business.
  • Boiardi, Hector

    Boiardi, Hector

    1997 - Chef Boyardee
    Hector Boiardi (1897-1985) created prepackaged dinners sold under the Chef Boyardee brand.
  • Bonda, Alva T.

    Bonda, Alva T.

    1996 - Cleveland Indians, APCOA
    Alva T. Bonda owned the Cleveland Indians and was a member of APCOA and the Cleveland school board.
  • Bradley, Alva

    Bradley, Alva

    1996 - Cleveland & Buffalo Transit Co.
    Alva Bradley (1814-1885) founded what is now known as the Cleveland & Buffalo Transit Co. with his partner, Ahira Cobb.
  • Brandon, Edward B.

    Brandon, Edward B.

    1996 - National City Corp.
    Edward B. Brandon was chairman of National City Corp.
  • Breen, John G. (Jack)

    Breen, John G. (Jack)

    1996 - The Sherwin-Williams Co.
    John G. (Jack) Green is the chairman and CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Co.

  • Brennan, David

    2003 - Brennan, Manna & Diamond LLC, The Brennan Group Inc., White Hat Ventures LLC
    David Brennan transitioned his passion for teaching into a strong business model. 
  • Briggs, Robert W.

    Briggs, Robert W.

    2011 - GAR Foundation
    After a legal career in which he oversaw the tremendous growth of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, Robert W. Briggs is helping to secure the future of Northeast Ohio as president of Akron’s GAR Foundation.
  • Bruening, Joseph M.

    Bruening, Joseph M.

    1997 - Bearings Inc.
    Joseph M. Bruening's Bearings Inc. distributed antifriction bearings and power-transmission components.
  • Brush, Charles F.

    Brush, Charles F.

    1996 - Inventor
    Charles F. Brush (1849-1929) was an inventor who improved the electric arc light with a practical power source.
  • Burg, H. Peter

    Burg, H. Peter

    2004 - FirstEnergy Corp.
    H. Peter Burg's shining example in both the professional and civic arenas leave big shoes to fill.
  • Byrnes, Marc

    Byrnes, Marc

    2016 - Oswald Cos.
    Marc Byrnes has imbued the Oswald Cos. with a spirit of collaboration and a focus on the greater good.
  • Carter, Lorenzo

    Carter, Lorenzo

    1996 - First Cleveland settler
    Lorenzo Carter (1767-1814) is the first Eastern pioneer who settled permanently in what is now Cleveland.
  • Case Sr., Leonard

    Case Sr., Leonard

    1996 - Commercial Bank of Lake Erie
    Leonard Case Sr. (1786-1864) was president of the Commercial Bank of Lake Erie.
  • Chiricosta, Rick

    Chiricosta, Rick

    2011 - Medical Mutual of Ohio
    With a sharp financial eye and a competitive spirit, president and CEO Rick Chiricosta has provided a steady hand for Medical Mutual of Ohio during its times in need.
  • Chisholm, Henry

    Chisholm, Henry

    1996 - Cleveland Rolling Mill
    Henry Chisholm (1822-1881) was manager and president of Cleveland Rolling Mill.