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Larry Moliterno Credits LMV With Expanding Community Impact
Leadership Mahoning Valley helped shape Larry Moliterno’s approach to leadership, community involvement and professional relationships, lessons that continue to guide him more than 25 years after completing the program.
Moliterno, CEO of Meridian HealthCare and a Boardman Township trustee, was part of Leadership Mahoning Valley’s Class of 2000. He said he initially applied to better understand the issues facing the Mahoning Valley and the resources available to address them, while also building relationships with others invested in the region’s future.
Looking back, Moliterno said the relationships he developed through the program became one of its most valuable benefits.
“The people I have met through LMV have been a critical part of my career for the past 25 years,” he said.
Among the experiences that left the strongest impression was the program’s diversity retreat. Moliterno credited facilitator Cliff Johnson with helping participants better understand the value of different perspectives and experiences.
“He taught us to appreciate the experiences that make each person unique and special,” Moliterno said.
The program also changed the way he viewed the Mahoning Valley and its opportunities. While he saw the region’s potential, he also recognized the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful progress.
“I was excited to see the possibilities but also see the reality of how opportunities can be wasted if we don’t work together for the common good,” he said.
Moliterno said Leadership Mahoning Valley expanded his understanding of the challenges facing the community and reinforced the importance of relying on others to create change. At the same time, he realized he could serve as a resource to others working toward similar goals.
Those experiences ultimately influenced his civic involvement. Moliterno said the program motivated him to become more active in the community, a path that led to his role as a Boardman Township trustee, a position he has held for 19 years.
Even decades after graduating, he remains connected to members of his class and said those relationships continue to provide both personal and professional support.
“I feel a strong connection with my fellow classmates of LMV class of 2000,” he said. “It continues to be a great source of professional and personal relationships that has enriched my career for over 25 years.”
Moliterno believes programs such as Leadership Mahoning Valley play an important role in strengthening the region by encouraging people to become more engaged in their communities.
“LMV creates a vehicle for people who feel a passion to get more involved in the community,” he said. “It is an investment in our future.”
As Leadership Mahoning Valley looks ahead, Moliterno hopes future classes continue exploring new opportunities for the region while encouraging more residents to participate in local government. He also would like to see greater focus on integrating primary and behavioral health care, an issue closely tied to his work at Meridian HealthCare.
For alumni, he said continued involvement is key to sustaining the organization’s impact.
“Volunteer to participate in LMV program days and encourage others to apply for future classes,” Moliterno said. “Tell people about your experience as a graduate of LMV.”
