Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know

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Get to know business leaders in Northeast Ohio. Learn about their business and management style. 

  1. Castle Noel 2025 CEO

    09/12/2025

    Castle Noel 2025 CEO

    Step into the fantasy world of Mark Klaus, creator of CASTLE NOEL. “America’s Largest Year Round Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction.” Experience 40,000 square feet of amazing installations,

    21 min
  2. Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

    08/12/2025

    Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

    Nicole McKinney-Johnson is President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), a role she has held since September 2024 after previously serving as interim CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors. With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, business development, and human resources, she has guided CRCC with strength, vision, and stability during a pivotal time in the agency’s history. McKinney-Johnson is also deeply engaged in the community, serving on the University Hospital’s Rainbow & Babies Foundation Board, the Leadership Council for the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, and the Foundation Board at Lakeland Community College.

    20 min
  3. Kenn Ricci, CEO Flexjet

    06/11/2025

    Kenn Ricci, CEO Flexjet

    Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci is an American aviation entrepreneur and the Principal of Directional Aviation Capital, which owns or invests in various aviation enterprises including Flexjet, where he also serves as Chairman. Kenn began his aviation career as an Air Force ROTC cadet at the University of Notre Dame and started his first company, Corporate Wings, in 1980. His love of aviation had him founding, acquiring or financing a broad range of aviation companies and ideas over his career. He has assembled one of the largest groups of private aviation companies which together account for over $4.0 billion of revenue, operate over 300 aircraft and employ over 5,000 individuals. Kenn was honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 and has been named one of the most influential people in aviation by Aviation International News. In 2005, Kenn led the restructuring of the Mercury Air Centers, a $200 million company operating aircraft support facilities at 24 different airports. He sold the company to Macquarie Infrastructure Trust in 2007 in a deal valued at $615 million. In 2010, Kenn received the Harvard Business School’s Dively Entrepreneurship Award. In 2011, Kenn was the youngest recipient of the prestigious William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.

    16 min
  4. Bob Denning, CEO Perry's Ice Cream

    28/10/2025

    Bob Denning, CEO Perry's Ice Cream

    As the President & CEO of this 4th generation, 102-year-old organization, Robert has led the transformation of the company into the international world-class supplier and distributor it is today. Robert was promoted to President & CEO in 2000 after 20 years with the business. He holds an EMBA from the University at Buffalo, a BS in Business Administration from Buffalo State College and an AAS in Business Administration from Genesee Community College. With Robert’s leadership driving the achievement of long range strategic goals, increasing sales and geographic expansion have occurred. Perry’s now offers over 1,500 unique items in distribution and has revenue coming from three sources; the Perry’s Ice Cream Brand, a Contract Manufacturing channel, and Partner Brand distribution. Under Robert’s tenure, the company achieved its first international sales in 2007 to over 30 countries outside of the US, where these sales account for nearly 15% of the company’s manufactured revenues today. In 2008, after spearheading $10 Million in capital improvements, including equipment updates and a 20,000 sq. foot distribution center, the company was able to expand. Robert’s vision to expand geographically in 2016 resulted in Perry’s posting revenues exceeding $100 Million in sales for the first time ever. In this same year, the company doubled its direct store delivery distribution footprint to over a 100,000 square mile geography, which now includes New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, along with portions of Indiana, Kentucky and W. Virginia, while adding nearly 50 positions. Today, the company employs over 425 team members to support its growth strategy. This new territory is on a path to contribute $20 Million in sales within the first three years with incredible potential to sell the Perry’s Brand to more than 10 million new consumers.

    18 min

  5. 22/09/2025

    Cleveland Furniture Company

    The Cleveland Furniture Company has its roots right here in Cleveland, which date back to the 1970’s! Paul Cirino SR. (our Dad!) jumped into the furniture business with Furniture Land in 1975 and never looked back! Paul Jr and Jason Cirino grew up hanging around the Furniture stores and warehouses, and started working on the delivery trucks as soon as we were old enough!   The Furniture Business is a Family Tradition for the Cirino’s, and we started supplying furniture to Furniture Stores in 2003. We have been supplying furniture stores in the Great Lakes region for decades, and now we can sell directly to you!   We save our customers money because we buy In BULK, DIRECT FROM THE FACTORIES!   A true FAMILY business, The Cleveland Furniture Company holds strongly to our values and the satisfaction of our customers and employees! Through decades of serving our community, we know what it takes to keep our customers satisfied!   We are Family Owned CLEVELAND PROUD!...... and we look forward to SERVING YOU!

    14 min

  6. 11/09/2025

    Daniel Roberson, Executive Director PNC Fairfax

    Daniel Roberson serves as PNC Fairfax Connection’s executive director, PNC’s free community resource center in Cleveland’s historic east side community. In his role, Roberson leads the center’s staff in sustaining and building upon successful community relationships and programs designed to empower individuals and businesses and help strengthen their economic vitality. With more than 14 years of banking and community development expertise, Roberson strongly advocates promoting both personal and community financial empowerment. Roberson previously served as PNC’s community development officer for northern Ohio.  In that role, he was integral in leading PNC’s efforts to deliver financial wellness training to underserved individuals and communities. Roberson, who connects with local nonprofits, serves on multiple boards and is a church trustee and youth ministry leader.

    7 min
  7. Wesley Gillespie, President Erie Bank

    11/09/2025

    Wesley Gillespie, President Erie Bank

    Mr Gillespie is the President of ERIEBANK, a subsidiary of CNB Bank.  Wesley has been responsible for the expansion of the bank into the Cleveland market, as well as lead the growth efforts of ERIEBANK. In his role as President, Mr Gillespie has full responsibility for managing and directing the overall market-based Commercial and Industrial lending activities across the Ohio and Pennsylvania footprint. Mr Gillespie also has responsibility for the delivery of commercial services including Commercial Real Estate, Treasury Management, and Private Banking across the region. Mr Gillespie is responsible for building and expanding the ERIEBANK customer base by building relationships and ensuring the delivery of best-in-class service at every level

    16 min
  8. Brad Knapp, CEO ClearStead

    06/08/2025

    Brad Knapp, CEO ClearStead

    On January 1, 2025, Brad was named President and CEO of Clearstead, succeeding longtime partner David Fulton who has assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus. As CEO, Brad is now leading a larger and more complex firm than existed ten years ago, with revenues and earnings having grown significantly and the number of employees and assets under advisement increasing several times. The firm has acquired eleven firms in the past ten years and has added capabilities in tax compliance and financial planning while also forming Clearstead Trust, a nondepository trust company. Brad’s appointment as CEO was part of a longstanding management succession plan at Clearstead. He will continue to be instrumental to strategic initiatives at Clearstead, including accelerating organic growth through the addition of new channels and holistic service offerings, investing in technology to improve the client and advisor experience, and expanding our geographic footprint through integrating strategic acquisitions. Brad holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and joined Clearstead in 2016. Brad has held positions in the private client and institutional groups at the firm and has served as President from 2023 to the present. Since 2018, he has run the firm’s Private Client and Trust practices. Brad has over 25 years of experience in wealth advisory and investment management, having held positions with two major financial institutions prior to joining Clearstead. Prior to joining Clearstead, Brad was a Senior Vice President with Hawthorn/PNC Family and Key Private Bank. Brad began his investment career at McDonald & Company, a regional broker/dealer and investment bank. Brad earned a BSBA degree in finance from John Carroll University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder and a member of the CFA Society of Cleveland. Brad is a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and has earned the use of that designation.

    13 min
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Get to know business leaders in Northeast Ohio. Learn about their business and management style. 

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