Built in Ohio

In this episode we welcome two guests from Cincinnati-headquartered Procter & Gamble (P&G): Guy Persaud, President of the New Business Unit at Procter & Gamble and Board Chair at Cintrifuse and Chetan Parekh, Vice President & General Manager of Zevo.

Built in Ohio's host, Chris Berry, speaks with Guy and Chetan on innovation in large corporations, what it's like building and launching new brands, and the importance of strong tech ecosystems.

P&G is known for creating some of the world's most iconic brands. At P&G Ventures, they create new brands in new spaces to help consumers live life better.

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Guy Persaud is President of the New Business Unit at Procter & Gamble and Board Chair at Cintrifuse.

Persaud has nearly three decades of experience across four continents leading multi-billion-dollar businesses and global organizations across a wide range of cultural contexts.

In his current role as president of the new business unit at Procter & Gamble, Persaud is responsible for identifying and operating high-growth and value-creation businesses outside the company's traditional business units. Previous roles at the company include: senior vice president, fabric and home care and head of brand, Latin America; senior vice president, fabric and home care, greater China; global franchise leader; and other roles in the U.S. and Europe.

A native of Canada, Guy joined Procter & Gamble after completing his Master of Business Administration at McGill University.

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Chetan Parekh is Vice President & General Manager of Zevo.
 
Chetan leads the Pest Prevention brand Zevo, which is P&G’s first new category entry in over 20 years.

A native of India, Chetan joined P&G after completing his MBA at The Yale School of Management. Over his 17-year career at P&G, Chetan has had a unique journey spanning brand-building, P/L ownership, and retailer-facing experiences spanning multiple business units with a track record of delivering breakthrough results: Skincare (Olay), Healthcare (Vicks, Prilosec), Oral Care (Crest/ Oral-B), and managing P&G’s healthcare, oral care, and feminine care business on the Walmart team.

These experiences have led to the current pioneering and entrepreneurial opportunity to build Zevo from the ground up, from incubation to national scaling.

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Learn more about Zevo at: https://zevoinsect.com/

Learn more about P&G's new venture work at: https://pgventuresstudio.com/

Learn more about Cintrifuse: https://cintrifuse.com/

Connect with Guy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guypersaud/

Connect with Chetan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetan-parekh/

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Marvin Logan is the Executive Director of Youngstown-based OH WOW! Children's Center for Science & Technology.

In this episode, we spoke to Marvin about building a STEM education pipeline connecting education, government, nonprofits, and the tech industry.

OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology opened in downtown Youngstown, Ohio on May 12, 2011 to rave reviews and overwhelming community support. Today, OH WOW!®’s brand is well-respected, and the organization is an anchor and economic development engine in downtown Youngstown’s central business district, serving over 645,262 since their opening.

At OH WOW!, Marvin directs one of the region's preeminent STEM education providers, dedicated to delivering dynamic hands-on experiences by employing project and challenge-based learning to yield impactful educational results for K-12 youth. His leadership work oversees strategic and operational functions encompassing the organization’s personnel, programs, expansion efforts, goals, and mission.

To learn more about OH WOW!, please visit: https://ohwowkids.org/

Connect with Marvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinloganjr/

Max Brickman is the Managing Director of Heartland Ventures, a venture capital firm that connects high-growth startups with new customers in the Midwest.

We first welcomed Max back as a guest in April 2021. In his second appearance on the show we check in to see how the pandemic crated opportunities for venture capital in the midwest and why connecting high-growth industrial startups on the coast with new customers in the Midwest is more vital that ever.

Max is a forward-thinking venture capitalist with a passion for expanding technological innovation into smaller, underrepresented Heartland communities. In line with this passion and commitment, Max founded Heartland Ventures in 2016 to enhance Silicon Valley startups’ access to this market.

He manages the fund’s relationships with other venture capital partners and oversees key investment decisions with the Heartland team. Heartland has over $100 million under management and has invested in 14 high-performing portfolio companies.

Max received a B.S. in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2022, an Executive of the Year by Columbus Business First, and a Future 50 Member by Columbus CEO.

Learn more about Heartland Ventures: www.heartlandvc.com

Connect with Max on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxbrickman/

In this episode, we welcome Katie Comer, Head of Community Development for North America at Meta. 

Meta, formerly known as the Facebook Company, is the parent company of the apps you know and love−Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Workplace, Messenger, and Quest. 

During our conversation with Katie, we discuss Meta's passion for Ohio, why their company is committed to helping build Ohio's tech workforce, and the tremendous impact Data Centers have on communities across the world.

In Katie's role, she manages the Community Development team within 17 Meta global data center locations in North America. Her team is responsible for community relations, government affairs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives within these data center communities. 

Through Meta platforms and products, she and her team give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. Data Centers, and the tens of thousands of servers installed in them, are the foundation upon how the company rapidly scales their infrastructure to operate Meta’s innovative and growing technology.

Prior to joining Meta, Katie served as the Director of Development and Interim Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross. Before joining the nonprofit sector, she worked for News Corporation in account management and sales. Katie worked with companies such as Coca-Cola, Disney Sports, P&G, and Rubbermaid to implement in store, print, and digital marketing sales.

Katie is a graduate of the University of Georgia and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University. 

Katie is a member of Leadership Atlanta, Georgia 4-H Advisory Board, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Huntsville Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Walton County Chamber of Commerce Board. She resides in Atlanta with her husband.

For more information on Meta and their impact on Ohio, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/NewAlbanyDataCenter/

Angelo Mazzocco is Vice President of Advisory Services at AVAAP. AVAAP is an industry-focused technology management and advisory services partner known for delivering strategic technology solutions and exceptional customer experiences.

In this episode, we spoke with Angelo about the amazing community behind Central Ohio's tech growth, some of the keys that have led to innovation success in Columbus, and why tech collaboration is vital during times of challenge.

Prior to AVAAP, Angelo was President of 3SG Plus, the Chief Information Officer of Central Ohio Primary Care, President of Pillar Technology Group, Chief Information Officer of Progressive Medical, the vice president and chief information officer of The Dispatch Printing Company and Affiliates, held significant roles with Andersen Consulting (now called Accenture), NCGroup/CompuCom, Nationwide Insurance, and NCR.

He has served as an adjunct faculty member of the Ohio State University and Otterbein University.

Angelo served on the Boards of Gladden Community Settlement House, American Heart Association, Quick Solutions, Navigator Management Partners, GroundWork group, Pillar, and Technology Advisory Board of OCLC.

Angelo and his teams have been the recipient of awards including Technology Innovation Team and Service Provider of the Year, Executive of the Year, Large Technology Team of the Year, Technology Service Provider of the Year, ComSpark Tech Power Award, Information Week 500 Technology Innovation, ComputerWorld 100 Best Places to Work in IT, CIO100 finalist, GroundWork Group Volunteer of the Year, and Ohio Cancer Research Associates Honoree.

To learn more about AVAAP, please visit: https://avaap.com/

Connect with Angelo on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelomazzocco/

Steve Cross is the Founder and Creative Director of iSynergy, an integrated digital marketing agency with a laser focus on maximizing ROI for clients.

In this conversation we spoke with Steve about the inspiration to leave a "safe" job and create his own business, why he's so focused on team culture, and his passion for West Coast Innovation with a Rust Belt work ethic.

iSynergy, based in Canfield, is an industry leader in programmatic advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), social advertising, search engine marketing (PPC), inbound marketing and growth strategy development. They focus on building scalable, efficient campaigns that deliver results for clients globally.

Steve is a proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace University and is on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley.

For more information on iSynergy, please visit: https://isynergy.io/

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cross-digital-marketing/

Right now, Ohio is in the midst of a generational opportunity with the growth and development of our tech economy. 

For this special Built in Ohio Podcast, we welcomed Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. This episode was built and released for our annual #OhioTechDay celebration. 

Held annually on the final Friday in September, #OhioTechDay celebrates and promotes tech in Ohio and inspires students to consider innovation careers.

In this episode, we talk with Lt. Governor Husted on his work with the State of Ohio, how exciting technologies like AI will impact Ohio, and how we can build a strong innovation workforce.

From big companies choosing Ohio like Intel, Meta, and Google, to growing startups, it seems like every week there's exciting news happening in the Buckeye State.

For more information on Lt. Governor Husted, please visit https://governor.ohio.gov/administration/lt-governor

For more information on #OhioTechDay, please visit https://www.ohiotechday.org/

Kristy Campbell is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Rev1 Ventures. 

In this episode, we talk with Kirsty about the Columbus tech scene, how Rev1 Ventures  helps entrepreneurs build great companies, and inclusion in the startup ecosystem.

Kristy leads operations for Columbus-based Rev1 Ventures,  providing strategic services and capital to help startups scale and corporates innovate. She supports cross-team delivery of client services – including talent programs, corporate partnerships, infrastructure (via Rev1 Labs’ innovation center), and access to investment capital.

Prior to joining Rev1, Kristy spent her career working within multiple high-growth, venture-backed startups, helping to build their brands, organize effective teams, grow revenue and scale. She held leadership positions at Manta Media – where she helped to grow the company into one of the largest, most trafficked websites in the U.S. – and Saama Technologies, a global leader in Big Data and analytics.

Kristy serves on the advisory board for SureImpact, a cloud-based software platform that allows mission-driven organizations to manage, measure and communicate their unique social impact, and for non-profits entrepreneur support organization Cultivate SMB. 

She holds a BS in Journalism from Ohio University and an MBA from Ashland University. Kristy is a frequent speaker on startup, marketing and inclusion best practices and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Axios, Venture Beat, Yahoo, and other top entrepreneur media outlets.

To learn more about Rev1 Ventures, please visit: https://www.rev1ventures.com/

To learn more about Kristy's work and connect with her, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campbellkristy/

Dennis Andersh is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Parallax Advanced Research Corporation. 

In this episode we talk with Dennis about solving critical challenges for the Nation's security and prosperity, Parallax's unique model, and their important work linking academia, industry and government research and development programs. 

Parallax Advanced Research is a Dayton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute. They solve critical challenges for the Nation's security and prosperity and do this by focusing on creating impact by accelerating investments in the U.S. science and technology enterprise. 

Their research is aimed at solving critical state- and federal-level challenges at the intersection of government, industry, and academia using the Triple Helix Model of Innovation. This model combines resources, competencies, and perspectives from different sectors (academia, industry, and the government) to drive innovation and new creative solutions; anchors and cultivates innovation ecosystems within a region; engages in boundary-spanning activities and encourages collaboration within and between these three sectors.  

Dennis joined Parallax’s predecessor, the Wright State Research Institute in December 2013 as the Chief Operating Officer and was named Chief Executive Officer of the Wright State Applied Research Corporation within six months of joining the organization, and in 2015 he added the title Executive Director, Wright State Research Institute. 

In October 2020,  transitioned to Parallax Advanced Research, an independent non-profit research organization focused on linking academia, industry and the government research and development programs. Dennis is the co-lead with Ohio State for the Ohio Federal Research Network that is being developed state-wide to focus academic research to better support Wright Patterson, NASA Glenn as well as other Federal and State Institutions state-wide.        

With more than 20 years of documented leadership, management, and technical innovative successes, Dennis's expertise lies in basic research, laboratory research and development, system concept development, system and platform development, and the fielding of air, ground and space mission critical systems. He is highly respected for building collaborative partnerships of academia, industry, government, commercial, congressional, and local entities to create strategic growth across multiple new markets in the federal, state, and local government.   

Before coming to Parallax, Dennis held several leadership positions at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He led the Dayton region as Senior Vice President where he was responsible for SAIC’s business with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Springfield Air National Guard, and the Dayton region. In this role, he increased revenue at the Dayton operation by 20 percent year-over-year and grew the employee base from 235 to 450. His other previous SAIC roles included reconnaissance and surveillance operation Senior Vice President in Arlington, Va., and Vice President and Associate Operations Manager in Champaign Illinois.  

Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is also an accomplished researcher, winning multiple awards from the Air Force when he directed radar research programs for the Air Force Research Laboratory. In his spare time, Dennis has been a major supporter of STEM programs throughout the Dayton region. 

To learn more about Parallax, please visit: https://parallaxresearch.org/

To learn more about Dennis, please connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-andersh-8913281/

Lindsay Watson is the co-founder and CEO of Augment Therapy. In this episode we talk about Lindsay's journal going from physical therapist to startup founder. 

With a career as a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics for nearly 20 years, Lindsay is now a  tech entrepreneur with a passion to drive change in the rehab industry by integrating innovative augmented reality technology into treatment. 

Taking her expertise and industry experience, she is now the co-founder and CEO of Augment Therapy Inc, a company which combines the best of augmented reality, Telehealth, and remote monitoring to improve the delivery of physical therapy. She has led her company to win many awards, participate in multiple tech accelerators, and receive recognition such as “Most Promising Startup” and “A Company to Watch,” by Inc. Magazine. 

In 2019, she was named one of Cleveland’s Notable Women of Technology. She is passionate about driving change in the healthcare and physical therapy industry by automating more precise data collection, making therapy more widely accessible, and better engaging for today’s tech savvy patients.

Learn more about Augment Therapy here: https://augmenttherapy.com/

Learn more about Lindsay and connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-watson-pt-mpt-68103a134/