999 Goodale Boulevard | Columbus, OH 43212
suzam5885@gmail.com
(614) 481-2111
Suzanne is retired from Ohio Power Tool, after working for 35 years with her husband at their family business. Her primary duties were the daily administrative tasks including managing the software and computer systems, HR, and all accounting and financial statement reporting. She is still involved in the financial oversight of the company, working with her son Jay, who took over as President. Her prior work experience was as an Executive Secretary at Nationwide Insurance.
Suzanne has spent many years volunteering for various service organizations and ministries. In addition to the Conway Center, she currently serves on the Advisory Board of Franklinton Rising.
4449 Easton Way, Suite 300, Columbus OH 43219
James.D.Bishop@morganstanley.com
(614) 473-2469
120 Northwoods Blvd. | Columbus, OH 43235
gcm@greencrest.com
(614) 885-7921
Kelly is a visionary with an intense pioneering spirit, an unfaltering commitment to achieving excellence, and a firm belief in the value of helping others—both personally and professionally. In 1990, Kelly founded GREENCREST, a “fractional” Chief Marketing Officer model for emerging, small and mid-market companies offering a full suite of consulting, marketing, advertising, public relations, digital and social media services to support business owners and marketing teams.
Today, GREENCREST specializes in developing market-leading strategy and brilliantly executed communications programs that follow the GREENCREST philosophy: Brand. Plan. Ignite your Business®. Kelly is a certified business communicator (CBA) an accredited public relations specialist (APR) and a brand certified specialist and leads an internal team of certified specialists. Kelly is a columnist for Smart Business magazine and has been a trusted advisor for business owners throughout Ohio and the U.S.
Kelly also serves on the Women President’s Organization Columbus Chapter II board, Chief Executive Board International Columbus I board, the Columbus Chamber Small Business Council and Ohio Chamber Small Business Council.
935 Taylor Station Rd. | Columbus, OH 43230
tcapuano@donatos.com
(614) 315-3484
Tony Capuano is a 3rd generation founding family member and has been with Donatos. He's worked numerous operations roles during his tenure at Donatos and is currently serving as the SVP of Franchise Operations and Training. Prior to joining Donatos in 2019, he spent 10+ years as a successful multi-unit Snap Fitness Franchisee while also serving on their Franchisee Advisory Committee.
3783 Gantz Road | Grove City, OH 43123
chris@converseelectric.com
(614) 871-8700
Chris is the President and Owner of Converse Electric, a third-generation family-owned business established in 1960. Specializing in the design, installation, and maintenance of commercial and industrial electrical systems, Converse Electric has built a legacy of excellence in the industry and throughout Central Ohio.
With deep roots in the construction field, Chris grew up as an electrician and has progressively advanced through various roles within the company. As President, he now acts as the forward-thinking leader, guiding the company's strategic vision, operational effectiveness, and long-term growth.
Chris is an active member of the professional community who also serves on the Board of Directors for the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio.
P.O. Box 588 | 11324 Mt. Vernon Rd. | Utica, OH 43080
jldager@velveticecream.com
(800) 589-5000, ext. 263
Joanne spent several years in Cincinnati Ohio managing restaurants and working for regional and national foodservice companies. With an extensive background in food sales and hospitality, she returned to Utica, OH to join the family business as a fourth-generation member in 2004. She has worn many hats within the Velvet organization, but her focus remains on Velvet’s Foodservice and Tourism divisions.
Joanne is an expert in designing customized programs that meet customers’ needs and is dedicated to creating a memorable experience for all who visit Velvet’s headquarters and the historical Ye Olde Mill. She is also active in the business community. In addition to the Conway Center, she sits as a member of the Advisory Board for the the Guest Relations Association.
10874 East Pike Rd. | Cambridge, Ohio 43725
thess@southeasternequip.com
(740) 432-6303
Thor Hess is the President and CEO of Southeastern Equipment Company, a multi-state provider of heavy equipment, including Case CE, Kobelco, and Bomag. He leads the company’s strategic direction and transformational growth, focusing on innovation, operational efficiency, and long-term stability.
A northeast Ohio native, Thor holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University and a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. During his tenure at Southeastern, he has spearheaded initiatives like IT modernization, a revitalized sales structure, and expanded operations into new territories and e-commerce.
Thor also chairs the Case Construction Dealer Advisory Board and serves on various boards, including Flying Horse Farms and the New Albany Chamber of Commerce. Passionate about equity and community, he supports organizations focused on youth and the arts. He lives in New Albany, Ohio.
191 West Nationwide Blvd., Suite 300 | Columbus, OH 43215
karen.hockstad@dinsmore.com
(614) 628-6880
One Easton Oval, Suite 550 | Columbus OH 43219
kjasin@ewjjlaw.com
(614) 414-0888
Kelly serves as Vice President & Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Kelly is a partner and President of the law firm of Emens Wolper Jacobs & Jasin, in Columbus, Ohio. Her practice focuses on helping closely-held and family business owners plan for the succession of their business. EWJJ enjoys taking a holistic approach to succession planning, taking time to listen to the clients' goals and implementing a business and estate plan that works for the family, both professionally and personally. Her background in psychology allows her to navigate the sensitive issues surrounding succession planning, helping to ensure family harmony from start to finish.
Kelly is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Franklin County and the Worthington Estate Planning Council and serves on the Board of The Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio.
1234 East Broad Street | Columbus, Ohio 43205-1453
LJolley@columbusfoundation.org
(614) 251-4000
Lisa has extensive knowledge of charitable giving and works with individuals, families, and businesses to inspire philanthropy and facilitate giving options that align with an individual’s or family’s charitable values and mission. She serves as a resource for individuals who are interested in learning about charitable estate planning as well as legacy techniques. Lisa also facilitates family meetings around generational giving. She uses her expertise in her work with professional and legal advisors to help them with their philanthropic clients to meet their goals. Lisa manages the Professional Council and other professional advisor educational and networking activities. Lisa is responsible for managing the Donor Services team’s grants and gifts positions and development support staff.
1028 Proprietors Rd. | Worthington, OH 43085
lmcenery@macconst.com
(614) 745-8268
1600 W. Lane Avenue, Ste. 200 | Columbus, OH 43221
dovermyer@oh-ins.com
(614) 453-4400
With a long-standing family tradition of insurance and decades of experience, Dan Overmyer, joined his brother Greg Overmyer in 2011 to launch Overmyer Hall Associates – a Commercial and Personal Property & Casualty Insurance agency.
Dan holds the Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) and Commercial Lines Coverage Specialists (CLCS) designations and is a graduate of Leadership Columbus. In addition to being a partner at Overmyer Hall Associates, Dan draws on the significant knowledge he has gained through deep involvement in the Columbus community. He is Associate Councilman and former Board Member for the Columbus Apartment Association where he is still actively involved. Dan is also chairman of the Board of Trustees for Creative Housing Inc. Dan has also been on many committees with Upper Arlington Lutheran Church - a congregation he loves. Dan was a recipient of Columbus Business First’s “40 under 40” award. Business America Magazine recognized Dan on their “Top Producers” list in 2016 and again in 2021.
4094 Main Street | Hilliard, 43026
creinke@finsvcs.com
(614) 876-7044
Chris Reinke joined Rider & Reinke Financial Group, LLC in August of 2006. As a client of Rider & Reinke Financial Group, LLC since 1995, Chris wanted to be a part of a leading financial services company in Central Ohio. Chris’s goal is to provide the same level of quality service, responsiveness, and dedication he received from Scott Rider and his staff for over 10 years. Chris became a partner of the firm in January 2013. Chris graduated from Miami University in 1993 and resides with his wife Carrie and three children in Upper Arlington.
240 E. Kossuth St | Columbus, OH 43206
kschmidt@schmidthaus.com
(614) 444-5908
Kyle is a fifth generation CEO of Schmidt’s. He started in the family business at age 11 working the Schmidt’s stand at the Ohio State Fair. He worked in a variety of restaurants in multiple roles from dishwasher, server and eventually management. In 2008, Kyle returned full-time to Schmidt’s Restaurant in German Village as an assistant manager, then General Manager.
Upon his father Geoff’s retirement in May 2020, he moved into an ownership role focused on operations. The most recent four years have been focused on the restaurant and growing our sausage truck fleet from 5 to 7 and launching in Cincinnati.
January 1, 2025, the last of the 4th generation shareholders retired and Kyle moved into the CEO seat where he plans to continue to develop his team, grow his business, and focus on delivering exceptional hospitality across our brand.
229 East State Street | Columbus, OH 43215
Michael.Schoedinger@schoedinger.com
(614) 224-6105
Michael Schoedinger is President of Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service in Columbus, Ohio. He is a 6th generation owner of the firm, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC), Certified Funeral Executive (CFuE), Certified Cremation Executive (CCrE), and Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP). He graduated from Upper Arlington High School and earned the rank of Eagle Scout; Miami University in Oxford, OH with a B.S. in Organizational Behavior and a B.S. in Personnel and Employee Relations; and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he was class President. The company is one of the largest funeral companies in the U.S. operating 12 locations, three crematories, a monument company, and a pet cremation service.
6450 Eiterman Rd | Dublin, OH 43016
ssutphen@sutphencorp.com
(614) 876-1262
Shelby Sutphen Chambers is the fifth-generation family President of Sutphen Corporation. She is responsible for leading the company’s corporate governance, shaping the strategic direction, and long-term vision of the organization, and managing internal and external relationships within and between the business and all stakeholders. Shelby is passionate about developing a people first organization and elevating the business to best serve our team members and customers for future generations.
Shelby has worked at Sutphen in an official capacity for over a decade, but like most family-business members, she has worked at Sutphen unofficially for as long as she can remember. In addition to her work at Sutphen and the Conway Family Business Board, Shelby is a member of the Fire Apparatus and Manufacturers Association’s Technical Committee and previously served as a board member of the Children’s Hunger Alliance.
When Shelby is not meeting with customers and team members or visiting one of Sutphen’s four facilities, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young sons.
One Easton Oval, Suite 550 | Columbus OH 43219
bwolper@ewjjlaw.com
(614) 414-0888
Bea is a co-founder of the Conway Center for Family Business and serves as President & Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is partner and CEO of the law firm of Emens Wolper Jacobs & Jasin. Her practice focuses on succession planning, estate planning, general corporate law, contracts, and the buying and selling of businesses, with an emphasis on family-owned businesses.
Bea serves as the Ohio President for the International Women’s Forum and serves as a director of TB Investment Properties and Insight Bank. She is on the Legal Advisory Board of the Columbus Foundation and Central Ohio Planned Giving. She has served on the executive committees of COSI, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Carmel College of Nursing, Greater Columbus News Bureau, and Small Business Council.