POLAND, Ohio – Thirty years later, attorney Brian Coulter still remembers the name of the local business – Graft Electric – that was splashed across his Little League team uniform, as well as the business names of the other teams he competed against.
“But it wasn’t just baseball – it was daily life,” Coulter said. “When my dad needed an electrician, he called my buddy’s dad from Graft Electric. And when someone from Graft Electric fell off a ladder on a job site, they called my dad. … he was a chiropractor.”
Coulter said he has lived elsewhere during his career, and the dedication people have for others in the Mahoning Valley isn’t found everywhere.
“They don’t have ecosystems like we have here, where your commitment and your dedication and your loyalty and your families and your businesses are woven into the fabric of daily life,” Coulter said. “Here, you make the Mahoning Valley a great place to live and to work and to raise a family, and for that I thank you.”
Coulter on Thursday was presenting the Local to National Presence Award on behalf of Roetzel & Andress at the 2025 Family-Owned Business Awards in front of a full house at The Lake Club in Poland.
Sponsored by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and its partners, the awards recognized 20 of the area’s finest businesses.
But the evening was not just about the significant impact these businesses have had on the Valley. It also was a reflection of what makes the area’s family-owned businesses a successful ecosystem.
Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Regional Chamber, said while the Valley welcomes large companies such as Foxconn and Kimberly-Clark, “our world revolves around” small, family-owned businesses like those honored Thursday.
CEO Forum
In addition to celebrating small businesses Thursday, a new initiative in the Valley, the CEO Forum, was introduced. Announced by Coviello; Tim Petrey, CEO of HD Growth Partners, who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies; Robert Shenton, executive director of CEO Forum; and Steve Stivers, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the forum will provide education, mentoring and, hopefully, some fun along the way.
Through a panel discussion, the four men discussed how the CEO Forum will provide a learning platform with new research and ideas, as well as create PODs (peer groups) of middle-market CEOs who can provide each other peer-to-peer mentoring. The groups will share knowledge, use rapid problem-solving and learn together.
PODs will be industry exclusivity, so competitors will not be in the same peer-to-peer groups.
“The most exciting thing that I’m hearing about all of this is … most of my life in this community, people of businesses have been just trying to survive,” Petrey said. “There’s not been a whole lot of time to think about, well, how do we prepare this for the future? How do we thrive in the future? It’s just been let’s stay in business. Let’s get past this next big challenge.”
The CEO Forum will address topics such as the generational gap, cybersecurity, transitioning through succession and using technology such as artificial intelligence.
CEOs and prospective CEOs who are interested in joining the CEO Forum can call 614 915 9903 for more information.
Family-Owned Business Awards
Here are the companies that received Family-Owned Business Awards during Thursday’s event:
Growth Story Award
PI&I Motor Express Inc. is the winner of the HBK Growth Story award. The company specializes in the metals and flatbed transportation market. For more than 70 years, PI&I, founded by Joe Kerola and his son, John, in 1951, has been devoted to providing first-class service to customers seeking transportation for metals.
The third generation, Joe Kerola Sr., took the reins of the company after his father, John, died in 1996. In 2023, PI&I acquired steel slitting company Uniserv LLC. The acquisition allowed PI&I to diversify and expand its services.
During the video introducing the finalists for the award, Jeremy Kerola, the fourth generation of PI&I, talked about how his family has built a “reputation that precedes us.”
“The reason for our tremendous growth is the hard work that has been instilled in all of us as we continue to grow into the fifth generation,” Jeremy Kerola said.
The other finalists for the award were REM Electronics Supply Inc., United Protective Technologies and White House Fruit Farm.
Local to National Presence Award
Phantom Fireworks was awarded the Roetzel & Andress Local to National Presence award.
“At Phantom Fireworks, we are more than proud to call Youngstown home,” said Alex Zoldan, son of Phantom Fireworks founder Bruce Zoldan. “This city embodies the resilience, work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled our growth into the nation’s leader. The [Mahoning] Valley’s strong sense of community reflects our commitment to family and tradition.”
The other finalists for the award were JAC LIVE/JAC Management Group, Quality Switch Inc. and Rick’s Ranchwear Inc.
Social Impact Award
Humtown Products is this year’s Huntington Social Impact award winner.
Mark Lamoncha, president and CEO of Humtown Products, touted the “emerging industrial athletes” and Anna Smith, a career ambassador who joined him and his wife, Sheri, on the stage.
“I am so proud, and we are so grateful for this award, not for us, but for our future emerging industrial athletes in manufacturing,” Lamoncha said.
The other finalists for the award were Advanced Technology Partners, Boak & Sons Inc. and Youngstown Blue Coats.
Success in Succession Award
Cubbison Co. was named the JFS Wealth Advisors Success in Succession award winner. JC Kocjancic, COO and minority owner, lauded the Valley’s people and businesses for helping the company grow and succeed.
“This community has done a lot of good work for us,” Kocjancic said. “We appreciate everybody’s efforts.”
Cubbison, an advanced printed electronics company, was founded in 1951. Tim Merrifield, the company’s chief executive, not only focused on growth and innovation for his clients but also in finding the future leaders of the company.
The other finalists for the award were Brittain Motors Chevrolet and Liberty Maintenance Inc.
Family-Owned Business Advocate of the Year
HLW Fast Track was named the Family-Owned Business Advocate of the Year.
Herb Washington, CEO and founder of HLW, has transitioned from being a successful McDonald’s franchisee for more than 40 years into the cannabis industry.
Washington, a minority business owner, now takes time to inspire other budding entrepreneurs through several initiatives and support of community-based organizations. He said when he was growing up, he didn’t know business owners who looked like him. But with tenacity, hard work and the occasional good break, Washington said entrepreneurs can be successful.
“I’ve gotten a lot of breaks in life,” Washington said. “I hope that I have been able to pass them along.”
Other finalists for the award were the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio & Western Pennsylvania, Kaleel Brothers Inc. and New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center.
Pictured at top: From left are Herb Washington, CEO and founder of HLW Fast Track; Mark Lamoncha, president and CEO of Humtown; Alex Zoldan, a vice president of Phantom Fireworks; JC Kocjancic, COO of Cubbison Co.; and Joe Kerola Sr., president and CEO of P.I.&I. Motor Express.