The People Behind BAC
BAC volunteer advisers bring decades of real-world executive experience across finance, operations, marketing, law, healthcare, and more. A growing community of leaders, built by people who want to give back, committed to one thing: your success.
Executive Director
Business Advisers of Cleveland
Grace serves as Executive Director of BAC with experience in nonprofit leadership, large corporations, trade associations, and international consulting. BA in International Relations from Michigan State University, MBA from University of Maryland.
Former CEO
Oatey Company
John spent 40 years at Oatey Company, a diversified plumbing products manufacturer. Career included sales, sales management, and executive roles including six years as CEO. Expertise in sales, marketing, and general management.
Marketing Partner
Marcus Thomas LLC
Mark is a marketing professional with extensive experience as a Partner with Marcus Thomas, LLC. Served on the board of the American Association of Ad Agencies. Volunteers with Boys & Girls Clubs of NEO and the Akron Community Foundation.
Former Corporate Development Lead
Omnova Solutions
Jim led Corporate Development at Omnova Solutions for 20+ years, responsible for strategy, acquisitions, exits, joint ventures, and strategic alliances on a global basis across multiple industry segments including coatings, oil & gas, automotive, and aerospace.
Chairman
CresCor
Cliff built a 50+ year career with CresCor, a third-generation family business manufacturing commercial foodservice products. Served as President and CEO for 25 years. Expertise in manufacturing, general business management, and family business succession planning.
Former General Manager
Motorola Solutions
Jeff built a 35-year career with Motorola Solutions in work group communications and two-way radio systems. Based internationally in Japan, Argentina, Singapore, and England. Experience in global product management, engineering, and business development.
Former SVP
PNC Bank (National City Bank)
Scott is a retired Senior VP from PNC Bank with 16 years in private industry including EVP and COO of a closely-held business. Expertise in financial analysis, corporate lending, sales channel development, and acquisition analysis.
Former GM Global Oil Operations
Lubrizol
Robert holds a BS in Chemical Engineering (Penn State) and Masters (Virginia Tech). Career spanning Sun Oil, Ethyl Corporation, and Lubrizol. Managed North American businesses and became general manager of global oil operations at Lubrizol before retiring in 2004.
Former Operations Director
ABB
John served as Operations Director for ABB, an international engineering and technology firm based in Zurich, responsible for critical infrastructure projects worldwide. Certified coach at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.
Business Leader
Insurance, Education & Arts
Dick is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, The College of Wooster, Ohio University, and The American College (CLU). Career spanning insurance, higher education, the arts, and a software startup. Joined BAC in 2013. Trustee and officer of eight nonprofit organizations.
Business Lawyer
Nicola Gudbranson & Cooper
Rick is a managing partner with 40+ years of experience focused on business transactions, succession planning, estate and trust planning, nonprofit organizations, and representation of entrepreneurs. Graduate of Ohio State University and University of Chicago Law School.
Chairman
Custom Rubber Corp.
William built a career in finance and accounting before purchasing Custom Rubber Corp. in 1980, a designer and manufacturer of elastomeric components. Harvard graduate in Economics, Vietnam veteran (Lt SC, USNR), MBA from University of Michigan.
Retired Municipal Court Judge
Ohio House of Representatives
Jeffrey is a retired Municipal Court Judge, former CEO and General Counsel for the International Society of Explosives Engineers, and former Member of the Ohio House of Representatives. Vietnam Era veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
CPA & Former CFO
Financial Management
Bill brings a 48-year career in financial management across electronics distribution, flavors manufacturing, and prime beef distribution. CPA with a Masters from University of Illinois at Chicago and 13 years of business consulting experience.
Former Senior Legal Counsel
Oglebay Norton
John served as Senior Legal Counsel with Oglebay Norton, one of Cleveland's oldest iron-ore companies. Regular BAC mentor and volunteer with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
Former EVP & CFO
Healthcare Risk Management
Bill brings a 48-year career in healthcare risk management. Served on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Lakewood Hospital Association (10-year Chairman). EVP and CFO of Insurance Management Services and SVP of Marsh USA. Dartmouth and Tuck School MBA.
Former Global Product Lead
GE Lighting
Martin built a 30-year career at GE Lighting in commercial and marketing operations, leading product management and automotive lighting teams globally. Prior experience at Booz Allen Hamilton and Pfizer. Graduate of Bentley College and Columbia Business School.
Quality Management Consultant
Independent Consulting
Bob holds a BS in Microbiology (University of Maryland) and MS in Food Science (University of Florida). Quality control and management roles with General Mills and Quaker Oats. Director of Quality Assurance at Anderson Clayton Foods. Consulting with Philip Crosby Associates.
Estate Planner & Tax Lawyer
McDonald Hopkins
Bernie is an Estate Planner and Tax Lawyer with 44 years of experience. Led the Estate Planning Department at McDonald Hopkins LLC for more than 25 years. Extensive volunteer in the Cleveland community.
Founder
Technical Software Inc. and Young Entrepreneur Institute
Greg started his first business in college and founded Technical Software, Inc. in 1983, serving as president until selling it in 2000. He later launched Young Entrepreneur Institute, a nonprofit focused on K-12 entrepreneurship education. Greg holds a BS from MIT and a master's in education from Ursuline College.
38-Year Veteran
Nordic Engineering
Tom brings 38 years of experience at Nordic Engineering spanning accounting, marketing, sales, international business, and business ownership.
Former President
Business Advisers of Cleveland
John built a 40+ year career in Petrochemical and Specialty Chemical industry with Sohio, BP Oil, and Lubrizol. Engineer and international businessman. Former BAC President; currently Head of Mentoring and Fundraising Committees.
Former Sales & Marketing Leader
Lubrizol
Matt brings an extensive Sales and Marketing career with Lubrizol, with experience in OEM and Advanced Materials. Grew business units domestically and internationally, specifically in Asia markets. Ohio University graduate with MBA from University of Texas, Austin.
President & Founder
The Entrepreneurs EDGE
Kirk is President and Founder of The Entrepreneurs EDGE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that drives growth for Northeast Ohio Mid-Market companies by serving as a strategic resource for CEOs and their leadership teams.
Former President & GM
General Pest Control Co.
John was President and General Manager of General Pest Control Co. Served as a mentor for 35 years with the COSE Strategic Planning Course. BS and MBA from Northwestern University.
Former Global Audit Executive
Audit & Governance Advisory
Walter brings 38 years of global professional audit, business, operations, and governance experience. Significant experience with high-growth private companies and C-suite executives on audit matters including internal controls, cybersecurity, and business combinations. Joined BAC January 2026.
Founder & Entrepreneur of the Year
Galaxy Balloons
Terry founded Galaxy Balloons, an award-winning printing company. 1997 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and 1998 State of Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year. Adjunct Professor at Baldwin Wallace University and Case Western Reserve University.
Healthcare Consultant & Adjunct Professor
John Carroll University
Peter brings an extensive career in healthcare consulting, administration, business development, and sales in B2B service industries. Currently Adjunct Professor in the Boler College of Business MBA program at John Carroll University.
Founder
Ascend CX Group
Shawn specializes in helping small businesses maximize their customer experience. Built luxury client experiences with Brittany Gidley Photography and is focused on improving client interactions at every stage of the business relationship. Joined BAC as a volunteer mentor in March 2026.
Former President & Owner
Cleveland Oak, Inc.
John was President and Owner of Cleveland Oak, Inc., a family business founded in 1916 with three divisions: Oak Friction Products, Material Processing, and Conveyor Components. Past Commodore of the Cleveland Yachting Club.
Fractional CFO
FocusCFO
Jack is a Principal at FocusCFO on select engagements as a fractional CFO. Career includes managing a high-net-worth single-family office and serving as CFO of a large hospitality firm. Degrees from Duquesne University and Case Western Reserve.
Former VP & Owner
Medical Records Corporation
Steve brings an extensive career as VP and Owner of Medical Records Corporation and small business owner of EMTS. Currently a part-time teacher with Gesu School. Joined BAC in October 2025.
Former Sales Executive & Financial Advisor
IBM · Xerox · Ameriprise
Allen brings a 30-year career in Marketing, Sales, Territory and Product Management with IBM and Xerox Systems, plus 15 years with Ameriprise as a Financial Advisor. Accomplished collegiate gymnast, professional dancer and instructor, and Rotary Club volunteer.
Fractional CFO Matchmaker
Business Finance Advisory
Jim helps business owners succeed by matching talented fractional CFOs with businesses facing financial and operational challenges. Joined BAC in March 2026.
Former Partner
Lund-Byrne Associates
Adrian brings extensive experience in the hospitality industry, focused on organization transformation, reorganization, and real estate disposition strategies. Currently involved with the British-American Chamber of Commerce and the Urban Land Institute of Cleveland.
Former COO
Rockport Ready Mix
John served as Chief Operating Officer at Rockport Ready Mix, a manufacturing company supplying precision concrete. Passionate about small businesses with extensive service to the COSE Strategic Planning Course community.
Partner
David Stetler Associates
David is a Partner in David Stetler Associates, an employee benefits consulting firm. BA from Muskingum University and JD from The Ohio State University.
Retired Executive
IBM Consulting & Sales
John brings more than 37 years of global technology sales and consulting leadership at IBM, paired with experience as a startup and nonprofit coach, angel investor, and host of The Disruptor Podcast. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards across Northeast Ohio and holds a BS from Denison University. John joined BAC in 2025 to share his expertise and mentor the next generation of leaders.
Former Chief Marketing Officer & SVP
Hyster-Yale Group
Lauren served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Hyster-Yale Group. Prior to that she held marketing and strategy roles at Eaton's Automotive Controls and Industrial Truck divisions and began her career as a Research Analyst at Central National Bank. She holds an MS in Management from Case Western Reserve University and a BA in Economics from Denison University.
Are you a seasoned executive ready to give back? Do you want to make a difference in your community? We are looking for experienced executives and business leaders who want to donate their expertise to the next generation of Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs.
Become a Volunteer Adviser