Leaders recognized for their work to advance the Northeast Ohio Region
Last week, Team NEO honored tour individuals as 2025 Regional Economic Development Champions for their work in leveraging the full strength of the Northeast Ohio Region’s economic development network to advance our region. At the organization’s annual meeting, NEO Rising: Celebrating Today. Building Tomorrow, Team NEO recognized:
- Emerging Leader: Sarah Ross, Executive Director, Huron County Growth Partnership
Sarah successfully aligned three non-profits to form her organization. In the short time since forming the organization, she has made a significant impact, securing nine business investment deals in 2024 and helping the county achieve a #7 ranking among the top micropolitans in the U.S. Sarah excels in leading organizational management, system building, civic collaboration, and program development. Sarah’s commitment to a collaborative culture and her willingness to bring partners to the table exemplify the qualities of a true leader.
- Business Leader: Prasanna Gurumurthy, Chief Operation Officer, Schaeffler Americas
Prasanna has led his company to continuous growth in the Northeast Ohio Region. In 2024, Schaeffler, a pioneering force in the field of motion technology, announced they will build a new manufacturing facility in Dover, bringing 650 jobs and $54 million in associated payroll to Wayne and Tuscarawas counties. Schaeffler is not only the largest German manufacturer in Ohio, but also the leading employer in Wooster, with a workforce of more than 1,700. Additionally, the company runs an automotive aftermarket facility in Strongsville. Prasanna has been a tremendous advocate for growth and expansion of the global manufacturer’s operations in the Northeast Ohio Region. Under his leadership, the company is committed to fostering innovation in mobility solutions and investing in the next generation of manufacturing. His impact is bolstering local economic development efforts in Northeast Ohio, particularly Wayne and Tuscarawas counties. Schaeffler is dedicated to talent development. The company boasts award winning co-op and apprenticeship programs to build a sustainable talent pipeline to fuel the company’s growth.
- Economic Development Leader: Catherine Bieterman, Director: City of Beachwood
Cathrine has 20 years of experience in the economic development field. Team NEO has worked with Catherine throughout her career on projects that have truly moved the needle on economic development in meaningful and lasting ways. Notably, during her tenure as Director of Economic Development for the City of Painesville, she worked on projects such as the expansion of Avery Dennison Performance Tapes – one of Painesville’s largest employers. In her current role as Director of Economic Development for the City of Beachwood, she is making an impact. In the area of site development, Catherine supported the City of Beachwood’s recent announcement regarding the acquisition of a 43-acre property. She has also been a driving force in advancing innovation. Her involvement in the City of Beachwood’s restructuring of its Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) has been instrumental. As part of this effort, a new Revolving Loan Committee and Innovation Committee was established to oversee a $1 million revolving loan fund, designed to support investments in emerging industry clusters and the revitalization of commercial office properties.
- Community Leader: Kevin K. Johnson, Managing Partner: NexGen Interactive LLC
Kevin has an unwavering commitment to improving the Northeast Ohio Region through his work with significant regional entities. He has been deeply involved with Team NEO’s work in the Northeast Ohio Equity Trust, addressing challenges and opportunities to build a vibrant community – one that provides opportunities for all its residents and businesses. In addition to being on the Industry Advancement Council for Team NEO, Kevin plays a major role in a number of public/private/philanthropic partnerships. Kevin is a founding member of philanthropic entities, The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland (TSOPCLE), Celebrate Those Who Give Black®, and the Cleveland Black Equity & Humanity Fund®. Kevin serves on many regional and national boards. They include Board of Trustees for The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA), National Small Business Association (NSBA), and Fairhill Partners. He and his wife Constance Hill-Johnson have also been awarded the Cleveland Foundation’s Fredrick Harris Goff & Legacy Societies Philanthropic Award of Service, recognizing donors that make a difference.
“Our 2025 Champions are strengthening our communities and driving economic impact across the region,” said Team NEO CEO Matt Dolan. “Each individual contributes a unique leadership style and skill set that exemplifies excellence, strategic vision, strong relationships, and meaningful impact. Their distinct strengths enhance our collective work and the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for their dedication to advancing Northeast Ohio’s economic future.”
The NEO Rising event also featured:
- A panel discussion with Northeast Ohio business leaders whose companies are thriving in the region.
Panelists:
- Sarah E. Nash, Owner and CEO: Novagard
- Ben Squires, Head of Government Affairs: Howmet Aerospace
- Allison Will, Owner and President: Tuftex Balloons
Moderator:
- Christine Nelson, Vice President, Project Management and Site Strategies
- An inspiring keynote from Team NEO CEO Matt Dolan, offering a compelling glimpse into his first 90 days at the helm of the organization, including insights from his 14-county listening tour. He also outlined a visionary approach to economic development, presenting forward-thinking ideas that hold opportunities for the region’s future.
About Team NEO
Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that ignites economic vibrancy, fosters sustainable growth, and champions equitable prosperity. As a designated JobsOhio Network Partner, we collaborate across all 14 counties in the Northeast Ohio Region to create strategies to attract and retain companies, drive innovation, cultivate a skilled workforce, advance market-ready sites, and promote and engage the region. To learn how Team NEO helps make Northeast Ohio more competitive, visit northeastohioregion.com.