BUSINESS BEAT | Recent news, awards, grants, and more in the Mahoning Valley

DeSalvo Construction welcomes Brandi Smith as new Administrative Assistant

DeSalvo Construction is thrilled to announce the addition of Brandi Smith to the team as a Project Engineer/Administrative Assistant. In this role, Smith will manage a wide range of administrative and clerical tasks essential to daily operations, including supporting the company’s preconstruction services and project management teams. With over 11 years of experience in high-volume management, Smith is an ideal addition to the DeSalvo family, bringing both expertise and a demonstrated history of leadership.

Smith joins DeSalvo Construction from her previous role in a high-volume dining establishment, where she excelled in increasing sales, enhancing customer satisfaction, and leading teams to success. Her experience in fast-paced environments, coupled with her exceptional organizational skills and commitment to quality service, make her an asset to DeSalvo Construction’s mission of excellence and community support.

“We are delighted to have Brandi on board,” said Joseph DeSalvo, President of DeSalvo Construction. “Her background in management, customer service, and operational efficiency will play an integral role in supporting our daily operations and commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients.”

Smith’s addition underscores DeSalvo Construction’s dedication to building a strong, capable team to enhance community projects and expand the company’s mission of supporting education and empowerment in the construction industry. As she steps into her new role, DeSalvo Construction is confident that Smith will make a significant contribution to the team and the clients they serve.

The Raymond John Wean Foundation welcomes new staff members

The Raymond John Wean Foundation recently announced the addition of two staff members: Aditi Srivastava as Program Officer, Grantmaking, and Chyna Mitchell-Parker as Executive Administrator.

Originally from Nashville, Srivastava comes to the Wean Foundation by way of London, where she received a master’s degree in international social and public policy from the London School of Economics and before that, a bachelor’s degree in international relations and human rights from the University of Sussex. She brings with her experience in project management, race equity research and community engagement.

In her role as Program Officer, Grantmaking, she leverages her expertise to evaluate grants and understand community needs. Driven by the belief that informed policy can transform lives, she is dedicated to fostering equity and inclusion in every aspect of her work.

“Each grant represents an opportunity to support innovative solutions and uplift voices that often go unheard,” Srivastava said.

As Executive Administrator, Mitchell-Parker supports the executive office and overall operations of the Wean Foundation.

A graduate of The Ohio State University, she brings more than 10 years of cross-industry experience and a strong background in event coordination, administrative support and fostering collaboration across teams. Her previous experience includes leading her own consulting firm focused on project management and administrative support, as well as positions supporting education and youth services and strategic projects.

“At the Wean Foundation, I have the opportunity to contribute to a mission I believe in,” she said. “I am excited to work in an environment that welcomes innovation and values employees holistically ... Ultimately, I strive to be a catalyst for positive change and growth within the organization.”

Canfield’s 898 Marketing named among Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies for the second time

898 Marketing, a full-service strategic and integrated marketing agency based in the Mahoning Valley, has once again earned a spot on Adweek magazine’s prestigious “Fastest Growing Agencies” list, published this month.

The agency first received this recognition in 2022, and its continued success has now placed it among the industry’s elite once again, in a year that also marks its 10th anniversary in business.

The Canfield-based agency’s impressive annual 3-year growth rate of 107 percent earned a rank of 39th internationally, 26th in the United States, 4^th in the Midwest, and 1^st of all agencies in the state of Ohio. Adweek, a leading authority in advertising and marketing industry news, reaches more than 2.7 million professionals and this list serves as a benchmark for some of the most dynamic agencies worldwide.

“This honor from Adweek is a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust our partners’ place in us to help grow their businesses. Our team, our culture, and our performance earned this recognition, but all the accolades go to our partners, our families, and the Mahoning Valley who drive us to be the best versions of ourselves every day,” said Jeff Ryznar, President of 898 Marketing. “The Mahoning Valley is home to some of the most renowned companies in healthcare, additive manufacturing, rolled steel, automotive, technology and retail industries. This recognition not only highlights our team’s abilities, but it proudly shines the spotlight on the amazing talent the Mahoning Valley has to offer the world in the field of marketing and advertising.”

To be eligible for Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies list, agencies provided three years of earned revenue, from 2021 to 2023, and had at least $250,000 in revenue in 2021. Participating agencies were required to certify the accuracy of their reported revenue figures, and Adweek performed additional auditing to determine the accuracy of the submissions. Due to privacy, figures are not disclosed. The full list of 75 fastest-growing agencies can be viewed here.

898 Marketing’s portfolio features a diverse range of partners, including Southwoods Health, Greenwood Chevrolet, Core Home Fitness, The Great Lakes Auto Group, Hynes Industries, Alabama Holocaust Center, Lake to River Economic Development, The Cleveland Furniture Company, Komara Jewelers, Burgan Real Estate, and more. The agency’s 36 team members specialize in services spanning branding, digital and traditional marketing, video production, graphic design, copywriting, and content marketing.

Autism Society of Mahoning Valley hires Bacorn as Executive Director

The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley (ASMV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stacie M. Bacorn as its new Executive Director. With over a decade of non-profit leadership experience, Bacorn brings a deep commitment to serving the Autism community and a strong track record of organizational growth, fundraising, and community partnership.

She will lead the organization’s efforts to support, educate, and advocate for individuals and families impacted by Autism across the Mahoning Valley.

ASMV Board also would like to thank our current director, Robin Suzelis, for her years of service and is happy to announce her assumption of the newly created role of Director of Information and Referral.

Supporting Autistic individuals and their families is at the heart of what we do, and her dedicated support will help us strengthen this need.