Newly elected state representative ToddSnitchler (20th class) speaks on his campaignwith Jeffrey Lechak (20th), construction engineerfor Quality Control Inspection, Inc.

What was the driving force behind your decision to run for State HouseDistrict 50?

I have had an interest in politics for as longas I can remember and I have also had a longhistory of involvement in my local communi-ty. When the 50th District seat opened updue to term limits, it seemed like the righttime to join my political interest and commu-nity involvement and try and make a differ-ence in a way that joined those two activi-ties, and hopefully, will result in positivechanges that are needed in Ohio.

In what ways did Leadership Stark Countyinfluence your campaign platform “BringOhio Back?”

Having had the opportunity to see so manythings about Stark County as a result of par-ticipating in the many program days whichare a part of the program, it became clearthat there is much to be proud of in StarkCounty, but there are also opportunities toimprove conditions for individuals, families,and business here as well. The first handknowledge demonstrated some of the less vis-ible issues effecting residents of StarkCounty.

Your campaign was supported by numer-ous Leadership Stark County alumni.Describe the impact that LSC alumni hadon your campaign.

It is safe to say that without the help of myLSC classmates, my victory on Election Daywould not have happened. Since LeadershipStark County is “the support group for Type‘A’ personalities”, my LSC classmates didwhat comes naturally when faced with achallenge; they jumped in (many into com-pletely unfamiliar territory), learned whatneeded to be done, and executed a plan withdedication and commitment that can only bedescribed as consuming.

Though you had a campaign plan, thingsdidn’t always go as scripted. Please shareone of your campaign surprises.

Of all our surprises, the one that immediatelycomes to mind was parade planning. Younever knew just how many people mightattend a parade and how much candy wouldbe needed to get through the entire paraderoute. After ending one of our first paradeswith no candy and nothing but smiles andhandshakes for the last stretch of the paraderoute (where many of the people were!), wequickly learned the importance of havingmore supplies than you think you need soyou never have to explain to people on theroute why they’ve met you but have nothingto show for it!

You were the only one from your politicalparty to win a contested race in Stark

FIRST QUARTER 2009 • This issue is sponsored by:

THURS. FEB. 26Leadership

Annual Dinner At La PizzariaCash Bar 5:45

Dinner 6:30Cost: $26.50 per person

THURS. MARCH 5 Breakfast Book Series

At Exploration Gateway/Perry Branch Library

Crucial Conversations:Tools for Talking when

Stakes are High,by Kerry Patterson

7:30 a.m., $5 at the door

FRI.APRIL 323rd Class

Recruitment BreakfastAt Canton Regional

Chamber of Commerce7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Prospective applicants and guests welcome

Contact the LSC officeabout any of these events at330.458.2095 or joyw@lead-

ershipstarkcounty.org(continued on next page ...)

A Leadership Conversation

Key Program Dates

Todd Snitchler Jeffrey Lechak

FACES of LEADERSHIP

If it’s been awhile since yougraduated from LeadershipStark County you may havewondered “How can I makemy Leadership Stark Countyexperience more relevanttoday?” One way is to join thecurrent class on an advancesite visit to an area corpora-tion or non-profit. Announcedvia the emailed newsletter,advance site visits are openedto Leadership Stark Countyalumni, space permitting.These in-depth tours and conversations with leaderswill give you a feel for currentissues and exciting changeshappening in our area.

Mike Haidet (14th class), man-ager of international trade policyat The Timken Company, had thisto say about his recent visit toHendrickson company,“I findthese tremendous opportunitiesto learn more about StarkCounty, the issues we face, andthe fabric of the community.Not only that, it provides inter-esting interchange with the cur-rent class as they grow through

their program.” JoAnn Schlue(Advantage member), manager ofcorporate & foundation gifts atthe Akron-Canton RegionalFoodbank reflected,“I am stillamazed at how many corporateheadquarters are in our commu-nity! It was a very interestingtour and I really appreciate theopportunity to tour this facility!”

Current class member FredFarmer, controller of MarathonPetroleum Company, LLC’s Ohiorefining division visited theMassillon homeless shelter a fewdays before Christmas:“I wassurprised to hear there was afamily of ten at the shelter. Itreally made me think as to howpeople can get into such a situa-tion and how they will ever makeit on their own without assis-tance.”

Plan to join the current class onthe next experience, be sure wehave your current email addressso you can be in the know on allLSC opportunities.

Alumni Attend Advance Sites

County in the November 2008election (inclusive of local,state and federal elections).How did you do it?

Our campaign was effectivebecause: (1) we had a messagethat resonated with voters, (2)we had a plan to reach out andintroduce a political unknown tothe voters of the district, and (3)we worked hard and implement-ed a grassroots campaign thatpersonally touched over 16,000households with door-to-doorconversations.

Now that you are elected whatare your goals for the next twoyears?

My objectives are to get accli-mated to the State Legislatureand to advance the issues wecampaigned on: making Ohio’sgovernment run more efficientlywhile providing services to thecitizens of Ohio; work to reducethe tax and regulatory burden

on families and businesses tomake Ohio an attractive placeto be; and work to address theschool funding problem andimproving academic standardsfor Ohio’s students so they areequipped to compete in theglobal marketplace after gradu-ation.

Would you recommendLeadership Stark County toother current elected officialsor aspiring politicians?

Without hesitation. The LSCSignature Program provides par-ticipants with a wide-reachingand in depth view of the com-munity, its citizens and the cir-cumstances (both positive andnegative) facing them. This edu-cation helps to focus your goalsand issues with the real-life situ-ations that will be affected bythe decisions made in the statelegislature.

Faces ... Alumni AMPLIFY Salvation Army Assistance

The Leadership Stark County alumni Salvation Army kettleproject was kicked up a notch this year thanks to the 21stclass. In support of class member Captain Tawney Cowen-Zanders of the Massillon Salvation Army, the 21st class wantedto add the Massillon Fisher Foods stores as a location formanning the kettles. Bells were rung at the Fulton RoadFisher Foods as well, to provide help at the holidays for thoseserved by the Salvation Army. Thanks to all who volunteered!

Volunteer Coordinator:John Juergensen (18th)

Volunteers:Ron Balyint (21st)Tom Haswell (18th)Cindy Hickey (21st)Jeff Lechak (20th)Joni Locke (21st)Deb Nicodemo (21st)Janie Pavlek (10th)Gretchen Plewak (21st)Gloria Pope (13th)Nate PopeLarry Ray (21st)Carol Risaliti (21st)Denise Robb (13th)Kelly Sinclair-McClintock (18th)

Gloria (13th class) and Nate Pope get into the holiday spirit while ringing the Salvation Army bell.

“

a publication of Leadership Stark County

Fran Wells, DirectorStephanie Werren, Development DirectorJoy Walko, Managing EditorSarah Bhatia, Graphic Designer

To develop a core of motivated leaders

with a lifelong commitment to community

trusteeship through training in leadership

skills and education about the community.

O U R M I S S I O N :

Stark County has faced many challenges andopportunities in the past year and a talentedpool of committed community leaders is neededas much as ever. Please identify individuals thatyou believe can and will make an impact in ourcommunity and relate to them the value thatyou continue to receive from Leadership StarkCounty. You may make your recommendationsto the Leadership Stark County office or simplydirect prospective applicants to the online appli-cation at www.leadershipstarkcounty.org. Keepin mind the diversity of Stark County and helpus recruit that diversity for this class.

What year was Leadership Stark County (then known as Leadership Canton) founded?

Who was the first paid Executive Director ofLeadership Canton?

How many classes have graduated from theSignature Leadership Stark County program?

What is the national leadership organization that Leadership Stark County belongs to?

Who is the current Chair of the Leadership Stark County board of trustees?

How many alumni have graduated from Leadership Stark County?

How many boxes of cereal were donated to theStark County Hunger Task Force by the 2008Spotlight young professionals class?

Which northeast Ohio mayor spoke to the 2008Government Leadership Academy class?

What farm employing seasonal labor is visited by the Encounter Bus Tour?

BONUS QUESTION:What is Fran Wells’ favorite leadership quote?

The answers to all the questions are found at www.lsccom-munity.org. Log-in and click on ‘Announcements’ andchoose ‘Leadership Trivia’. Then email the answer to thebonus question to Joy Walko (you many use the ‘privateemail’ link at the top of the page). One winner of a $20Quizno’s gift certificate will be chosen from all the correctanswers received by March 2, 2009. If you don’t know yourlog-in information, call or email Joy.

While you’re at the on-line community, be sure to checkout the ‘Leadership Dialogue’, ‘Job Openings’ and ‘VolunteerOpportunities’ forums. Check the ‘Community Calendar’link at the top of the page.

Test Your Knowledge:Leadership Trivia Test Go to the LSC On-line Community Forum to Win!

Make your 23rd ClassRecommendations Now!

Thanks again to Black McCuskey Souers & A r b a u g hfor their generous support of this issue of the Alumni Link.

MANY THANKS!

Gretchen Plewak

Tom Diez

I was extremely impressed with theprogram design which featured exposure to all facets of Stark County,insight from leaders in the community,team activities and networking oppor-tunities. I realize that the time I spentwith the LSC program was a commit-ment for Marathon, but I feel myinvolvement will benefit Marathon as a more effective leader and member inthe community.

I am certainly more engaged with thecommunity than I have ever beenbefore in other communities where Ihave lived. LSC has allowed me toexpand my contacts beyond the tradi-tional (church, school) and given methe opportunity to network and get toknow other people from differentbackgrounds. It has also allowed me tobe exposed to community problems, be more sensitive to the real issues of themany people you are not normallyexposed to, how I can contribute, andthe impact of my contribution on apersonal level.

Gretchen Plewak, human resource manager,Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC

Tom Diez, director distribution Americas,The Timken Company

22nd Class Human Services DayLeadership Stark County isproud to note that threeSignature program graduateshave recently been promoted at Stark State College ofTechnology. Dorey Diab (16thclass), returns to Stark Countyas provost and chief academicofficer at Stark State after serv-ing for a time at Rhodes StateCollege in Lima, Ohio. LadaGibson-Shreve (18th Class),was recently named dean ofGeneral Studies and GlendaZink (19th Class), is the newdean of Business Technologies.

22nd Class Asset Building Day

22nd Signature Class Sponsor

22nd Class Education Day

Leadership Stark County Alums Advance at Stark State

Special Thanks to our In-kind Donors:91 Wood Fired Grill and Canton

Professional Educators Association

LIKE TO SEE YOUR LOGO HERE?Call Stephanie Snow Werren

at 330.458.2093.

Dorey Diab

Lada Gibson-Shreve

Glenda Zink