Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

Hosted by Greater Akron Chamber

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Episodes

168

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Want to discover the personalities, leaders, and voices who are making things happen and making a difference in our region? Welcome to Dreamers, Drivers, and Doers, where Greater Akron Chamber CEO and President Steve Millard engages in conversations with business owners, influencers, and government officials to discover what makes a group of people come together, the possibilities on a local and regional level, and the potential of an area that pulls together. Fascinating journeys, strong opinions, unique perspectives, and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the business and legislative initiatives that are the heartbeat of our community.

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60 recent

August 18, 202624 min

Cleared for Takeoff: Lessons from Serial Entrepreneur David Neeleman

Building a great company requires more than a great idea—it takes discipline, focus, and relentless curiosity. Building on insights shared at the Greater Akron Chamber's inaugural Business Growth Symposium, Steve Millard talks with Breeze Airways Founder and CEO David Neeleman, the serial entrepreneur behind JetBlue, WestJet, Azul, and more, about the realities of scaling successful companies. Neeleman shares lessons on building teams, preserving culture, managing risk, and leading through increasing complexity, along with his "Most Important Now" approach to focusing on the priorities that matter most. Along the way, he offers practical insights on empowering people, driving innovation, and creating momentum that lasts.

August 11, 202623 min

Building a Successful Internship Program (and WHY It’s Important)

Alison Matas-Smith knows how Gen-Z works. Through her role as the AVP of Communications and Talent Development at Schauer Group, she develops a robust internship program at the insurance firm all year round. In this conversation with Steve Millard, Alison shares her experience working closely with college-aged interns and how creating a meaningful internship program has helped the company recruit and retain great talent. Together, Steve and Allison discuss Gen-Z’s changing work perspectives, and how your organization can prepare to welcome them to the workforce.

August 4, 202651 min

The Hard Truth About Growth: What It Really Takes to Get to the Next Level

Every growth story has a side that people don’t see. Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber's inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this conversation explores the realities behind scaling a successful company. Moderated by Chuck Mullen, Partner and Great Lakes Market Leader at Eide Bailly LLP, panelists Rachel Mack (Staffing Solutions Enterprises), Jeff Kline (Robert J Events & Catering / Fun Services), and Mac Anderson (Cleveland Kitchen) pull back the curtain on the challenges that don't show up in metrics or case studies—from tough people decisions and internal misalignment to burnout, tradeoffs, and moments of uncertainty.

July 28, 202649 min

Building the Right Team at the Right Time

Growth-stage companies don’t usually struggle because they lack talent—they struggle because they’ve built the wrong structure at the wrong time or failed to evolve their culture as the business grows. Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode brings together leaders who share what growing companies get right, where they often stumble, and how to build teams and cultures that can scale successfully. Moderated by Jeanne Coughlin, President of The Coughlin Group, panelists Krista Gesaman (Aeration Septic Inc.), Mike Milby (Ratliff & Company), and Chrissy Myers (AUI/Clarity HR) explore how to align people, processes, and culture with the next stage of growth—and how leaders can position their organizations for long-term success.

July 21, 202637 min

The Engine Behind Northeast Ohio’s Next Era of Growth

Fresh off the National Science Foundation’s announcement of up to $160 million to support the NEO-SMART Engine, Steve Millard sits down with NEO-SMART CEO Nick Barendt and Hans Dorfi, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of the Polymer Industry Cluster, to discuss what could be a transformational moment for Northeast Ohio. Building on Akron’s legacy as the Rubber Capital of the World, decades of materials expertise, and years of collaboration through the Polymer Industry Cluster, EDA Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, and Ohio Innovation Hub designations, the region has laid the foundation for national leadership in advanced materials. The conversation explores how the CHIPS and Science Act created the opportunity for this investment, why NEO-SMART is focused on polymers, chemicals and coatings, and metals, and how these industries are critical to strengthening America’s manufacturing competitiveness, economic security, and domestic supply chains. They also discuss the momentum behind this landmark award and how NEO-SMART is poised to attract investment, create jobs, accelerate innovation, and position Northeast Ohio as a driving force in the next era of economic growth for both the region and the nation. Learn more at neosmartengine.org.

July 14, 202652 min

Build it to Grow or Build it to Sell: Creating Enterprise Value That Lasts

At some point, every founder has to ask: am I just running a business, or actually building something that lasts? Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode brings together leaders who’ve seen firsthand what makes companies strong, scalable, and ready for what’s next. Moderated by Dan Hampu, President & CEO of Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the panel features John Lubinski (Hanna Commercial Real Estate / Hanna Business Advisors), Anna Luczkow (Lewis Brisbois), and Brad Martyn (Focus CFO). Together, they unpack how stronger systems, clear structure, and scalable operations build value beyond revenue. Because whether you plan to sell your business or not, the same principles apply—companies built with intention create more value over time.

July 7, 202653 min

AI That Actually Works: From First Use Case to Real ROI

What does it actually look like to use AI inside a growing business? Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode features a candid conversation with leaders who aren’t just talking about AI—they’re actively using it to drive results. Moderated by Jay Mellon, President of ATNETPLUS, panelists Mike McGill (Medical Service Co.), Rob Buchwald (AI Institute Akron), and Britney Trafis (Soarion Digital) share how they’re applying AI across marketing, hiring, finance, and customer engagement. And just as important, they talk through what didn’t work and how they moved past early roadblocks to scale their efforts.

June 30, 202639 min

From Idea to Market: Inside the Polymer Innovation Pipeline

Get an inside look at how the next wave of polymer solutions is taking shape and the people drivingit forward. This special episode features a clip from an Elevate Greater Akron webinar centeredonthe region’s “Global Polymer Capital” priority.Hans Dorfi,Executive Director and Chief InnovationOfficer of the Polymer Industry Cluster (PIC), sets the conversation witha look at the region’sstrategy, followed by a panel led by Jessica Sublett,President and CEO of Bounce Innovation Hubof Bounce Innovation Hub, featuring Dr. James Eagan (University of Akron), Isaiah Kaiser(AuxiliumHealth), Katie Kelley (ARDL), and Erin Spring (The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company).Together, they share how ideas move from research to real-world impact through startup support,R&D investment, and strong regional partnerships. More info at polymerindustrycluster.org.

June 23, 202624 min

Navigating Alzheimer’s in the Workplace with the Alzheimer’s Association

Supporting brain health at work starts with awareness, action, and the right resources. Steve Millard sits down with Lindsay Walker, State Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Ohio, to discuss the growing impact of Alzheimer’s on employees, families, and employers. Together, they explore how workplaces can become more brain-healthy, why early detection matters, and what business leaders should know about supporting team members navigating a diagnosis or caregiving responsibilities. Lindsay also shares resources available at alz.org/resources and explains the policy push behind the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act (alzimpact.org).

June 16, 202645 min

Growth Unfiltered: Real Lessons from Leaders Who've Scaled

What does it take to lead through the decisions that define growth? Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode brings together three leaders who have navigated growth from the front lines: Ben Boyer, Prospector Baseball Group; Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, Apex Skin; and Tia Ramlow, GreatWork Employment Services. Moderated by Steve Millard, the conversation explores the opportunities and challenges that come with expansion, building the right team, making strategic pivots, and leading through uncertainty. Along the way, each guest shares lessons from their own leadership journey and discusses why continued investment in Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio remains central to their success.