Leadership

The Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce is led by the Executive Director and a Board of Directors. The Board meets monthly to review financials, discuss Chamber happenings, new developments, and vision for the Chamber, among other topics.

Executive Director

Melissa Ricco serves the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce with more than 20 years of experience in event planning and administrative organization in fields such as higher education, and the architectural and construction industries.

Aligning herself with organizations that enhance their community, she highlights strategic planning and economic development as significant factors in her role as Executive Director of the Chamber. With a penchant for collaboration and pooling resources, Melissa works to bolster the business community by advocating for its growth and facilitating member needs.

Melissa holds an Associates of Business Management from Eastern Gateway Community College. She is an active member of the Chardon Square Association and is a Leadership Geauga alumnus - 2024 best class ever! She lives in the Chardon area with her husband, daughter, two cats, and bees!

Board of Directors

Julia Dolsen

President
Shiffler Equipment Sales, Inc

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Julia Dolson

Shiffler Equipment

Julia Dolsen is the Business Manager for Shiffler Lighting Solutions (SLS), the turnkey lighting division under United for Growth, Inc. Under her leadership the division offers comprehensive lighting retrofit solutions including full investment-grade audits, financial analysis and proposals and professional installation by certified electricians. The company is trade ally in most state utility rebate programs throughout the country, offering additional financial benefits to her clients.

Julia also works closely with manufacturers and lighting suppliers to ensure the latest and best product offerings for her customers. With more than 16 years of lighting experience, including Marketing & Product Manager for an LED lighting manufacturer for 7 years, her product and industry knowledge ensures that SLS can offer a full range of quality lighting solutions. Using industry leading software tools Julia optimizes the right lighting design for her clients, which include educational institutions, municipalities as well as industrial and commercial facilities.

Julia was born and raised in Germany and came to the US in 1998 and moved to Chardon in 2012. She holds both a BBA and MBA from Cleveland State University and is LC certified through the National Council on Qualifications for Lighting Professions.

Julia lives with her husband and 2 kids in beautiful Hambden Township along with 2 dogs, a cat and a dozen chickens. Together they love exploring nature by hiking, biking and camping all around Geauga County and Ohio.

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Sylvia McGee

Vice President-Elect
Beans Coffee Shop & Bistro

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Sylvia McGee

Beans Coffee Shop & Bistro

My name is Sylvia McGee and I am the owner and operator of Beans Coffee Shop & Bistro, which has been in business on the Square for over 20 years.

As a small business owner, I have had to learn to step into many different rolls and quickly master new concepts and skills. Maintain & operate equipment while applying safety and food safety techniques. Develop operational policies and procedures, maintain accurate inventory counts to meet customer demands and sustain operations. Consistently engage with the community, building rapport, and connections while providing patrons with a quality experience. Most importantly create eye catching drinks, desserts, and food to increase brand and product awareness.

I enjoy a challenge and love to engage and get involved with the public whenever possible. But most of all, I am passionate about helping my customers and creating satisfying experiences.

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Becky Emmons

Board Member
Holstein Homes, LLC

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Becky Emmons

Holstein Homes, LLC.

Becky is the Co-owner of Holstein Homes LLC alongside her husband, Taylor, Becky is a dedicated real estate investor specializing in single-family and multi-family rental properties across Lake and Geauga Counties. She excels in property management, business operations, lead generation, capital raising, and networking. An active member of the Chardon Chamber of Commerce and several real estate mastermind groups, Becky is passionate about creating high-quality housing and ensuring tenant satisfaction in her hometown. Living in Chardon, she takes pride in her Hilltopper roots and cherishes time spent with her husband and children.

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Lance FIsher

Board Member
WM

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Lance FIsher

Lance serves as the Route Manager for Waste Management (WM) in Geauga County, Ohio, overseeing the residential line of business, primarily in Geauga and Ashtabula counties. With over 14 years of experience at WM, Lance brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to operational excellence and community engagement.

Lance began his career with WM in 2010 as a driver, working in Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties. Over the years, he took on various roles, including lead driver, driver trainer, and residential/commercial driver. His expertise also allowed him to assist at other WM sites across Ohio and even at the Kansas City site in Kansas for six weeks.

In 2021, Lance advanced to the role of Route Manager, managing the commercial rear load line of business for Cleveland Hauling. In late 2023, he returned to Chardon Hauling, where his journey with WM began, to lead the residential operations in the area.

Lance's dedication to service and environmentally responsible practices was recognized when WM Senior District Manager Christopher Semrock introduced him as the new Route Manager for Burton Village during a Burton Village Council meeting on November 13, 2023.

Through his leadership, Lance continues to uphold WM’s mission of providing reliable waste management solutions while fostering strong relationships with the communities he serves.

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Kristine Frankenberry

Board Member
NAMI Geauga County

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Kristine Frankenberry

Geauga Growth Partnership

Kristine Frankenberry currently serves as Executive Director of NAMI Geauga County. Officially a resident of Chardon since 2018, she has been driven to be an advocate for many of our local community offerings and is often seen out and about establishing and stewarding friendships. She is also a graduate of Leadership Geauga, Class of 2019 (BCE!). In her free time, she enjoys spending time travelling and at the campground with her family.

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Richard Grecar

Board Member
D&S Automotive Collision and Restyling

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Rick Grecar

D&S Automotive Collision and Restyling

Rick has been the Controller of D&S and Defender Auto Glass since 2020. He received his Bachelor’s from Bowling Green State University, and his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is married with two children. He enjoys sports, working out, and taking long walks with his dog.

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Beverly Johnson

Board Member
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

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Beverly Johnson

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Beverly Johnson is a realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate. Bev has lived and served in Geauga County for 40+ years and it is her privilege to serve this community. She provides professional service with honesty and integrity for her buyers and sellers. She treasures the friendships she is able to build with clients as she helps them to experience the America Dream.

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Judy Lasco

Board Member
Chardon Public Library

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Judy Lasco

Geauga Public Library – Chardon Branch

Judy Lasco is the manager of Chardon Branch of Geauga County Public Library system. She has worked for GCPL for 17 years, working as a Children's Librarian at Middlefield and Chardon Branches, and in 2018 became the manager at Chardon Branch.

Growing up in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, Judy moved with her husband to Claridon Township 25 years ago. They love the peacefulness and natural beauty of Geauga County. They have 3 children who graduated from the Berkshire School district.

Judy's is very invested in supporting the Chardon community by providing excellent library services to all residents of the county. She believes that the library is a community space open to all residents regardless of income, occupation, education, or political party. Judy is ready to help in any initiative that brings the community together for the betterment of us all.

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Susan Parker

Past-President
Artemis Property Venture

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Susan Parker

HomeSmart

Susan Parker is the President of Artemis Property Ventures LLC and is a licensed Realtor with HomeSmart Real Estate Momentum. She is an experienced, full time residential real estate investor, flipper, agent and landlord. Her mission is to help her clients achieve their dreams using real estate to improve their lives. Susan is active within the Chardon and greater Geauga county community volunteering with a number of charities and is a Co-Founder and Board VP of Operation Horses and Heroes, a national 501c3 non-profit organization that serves military veterans. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Geauga NAMI. Susan is proud to have served in the USAF. Susan resides in Hambden Township at Artemis Acres along with her husband, menagerie of horses, dogs, goats, cats and chickens.

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Cathy Peters

Board Member
PuroClean of Western Reserve

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Cathy Peters

PuroClean of the Western Reserve

Cathy is co-owner and business partner in PuroClean of Western Reserve, a property damage restoration franchise started in 2007.

She joined the business in 2014 after a fifteen-year marketing career in the insurance industry. She is President of the Chardon Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Red Key Women in Business organization. Cathy is a Leadership Geauga graduate of the class of 2019. She and her husband raised their two daughters in Geauga County. She enjoys travel, golf and reading.

Cathy holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA in Financial Management from Kent State University. She is a licensed Property & Casualty insurance agent in the state of Ohio. She holds IICRC certifications in water, fire, and mold property restoration.

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Bill Rice

Board Member
University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center

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William Rice

University Hospitals

Bill Rice is the Regional Development Officer of University Hospitals. He is an experienced professional passionate about connecting needs with resources and building healthy communities.

Born and raised in northwestern PA, Bill has an incredibly diverse background:

-Educated in world languages

-Taught for 20 years

-Works in philanthropy at University Hospitals

-Leadership Geauga class of 2023

-Lives with wife and two kids in Geauga County

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Jonathan Schneider

Board Member
Huntington National Bank

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Jonathan Schneider

Huntington National Bank

Jonathan is a Relationship Banker II with

He specializes in working with clients to address their financial goals and developing a plan for their success.

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Joe Zulandt

Board Member
Ten10 Design, LLC.

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Joe Zulandt

Joe Zulandt, COO

Joe is the Chief Operating Officer for Ten10. His analytical expertise in the promotional product, apparel, print, and design industry is evident in each and every solution Joe cultivates for our clients. With years of experience achieving results that align with your brand, meet specific deadlines, and land within budgetary goals, Joe will ensure that your project is completed and surpasses expectations. Joe earned his BFA degree in Graphic Design from Bowling Green State University.

Joe is an active member in the community serving on the Board of Directors for the Geauga County Maple Festival, Lake Communicators, and the Leadership Geauga Marketing Committee, and he is an active Rotarian.

Fun Fact: Joe is a proud former Subway Sandwich Artist.

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Leadership

Executive Director

Board of Directors

Julia Dolsen

Sylvia McGee

Becky Emmons

Lance FIsher

Kristine Frankenberry

Richard Grecar

Beverly Johnson

Judy Lasco

Susan Parker

Cathy Peters

Bill Rice

Jonathan Schneider

Joe Zulandt

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