Message from the President
Welcome to all the new Beta Gamma Sigma inductees! This Spring, hundreds of new Beta Gamma Sigma members were inducted in Northeast Ohio. This was our first year to take part as an alumni chapter in 5 of the 6 Beta Gamma Sigma induction ceremonies in the region. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the alumni chapter representatives who delivered speeches at the BGS Induction Ceremonies: Sharmila Syed, Asmaae Benmerzouga, Andrea Molitoris, Ashley Basile, and Kari Mirkin.
As always, I would encourage BGS members to e-mail with suggestions and comments.
Paul Lebo, President
Updates on Mentorship Program
Our 2010 mentorship program is off to an excellent start. We would like to open up the program to invite new mentors and new mentees. For more information, please e-mail Andrea Molitoris, Alumni Chapter Treasurer, at amolitoris12@jcu.edu. Thanks for your interest!
Manufacturing Executive Puts Personal Spin on Mentorship Program
Career advice isn’t even the half of it. Over the past several months, Cleveland area Beta Gamma Sigma alumni Alexa Sullivan, Jennifer Fantozzi, and Jennifer Lee have worked closely with their mentor, Beth Kloos, President of Haynes Manufacturing, to build up not only their résumés, but also their professional networks, understanding of important business issues, and, perhaps most importantly, their connections with each other. Kloos’ meetings with the group aren’t limited to the office, either. She has led her mentees in book discussions and company tours, and has arranged for group dinners and volunteer projects.
When asked about her favorite aspect of the mentorship program, Jennifer Fantozzi answered: “I can present issues in confidence and know that I am going to get three different, knowledgeable opinions back.”
Upcoming Events
Sherwin Williams Speaker Event, September 16
Join us on 9/16 at 6:00pm for a speech by Chris Connor, CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company. We will also be announcing our annual alumni chapter honoree at this event.
Youngstown Penguins Football!
Join us for our first event outside Cuyahoga County! We will be traveling to Youngstown for a football game on October 9 at 3:00pm. Special thanks to YSU for arranging our birds-eye view of the event.
Previous Events
Awards Ceremony Honoring Robert S. Reitman
On May 27, many BGS members and prominent guests gathered to honor Robert S. Reitman as he received the International Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award. This event featured an opening speech by Terrance Egger, Chief Publisher of the Plain Dealer. Dr. George Stevens, President of Beta Gamma Sigma Central, and Dean Betty Jo Licata of the BGS Central Board of Governors were likewise in attendance. The theme of the event was corporate social responsibility. The Cleveland Area Alumni Chapter was very proud to have an international achievement award go to Mr. Reitman because he contributes in many ways to Cleveland philanthropic missions.
Featured Interviews with Prominent BGS Members
Interview with Robert S. Reitman
Winner of the International Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award
Former CEO, Tranzonic Companies
Chair, Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Philanthropic Fund
Interview Conducted by Andrea Molitoris
What have you liked the most about your jobs/philanthropic pursuits?
I enjoy the sense of making a difference when contributing both resources and hard work to various community organizations. I always have a feeling of getting more out of the exchange than I have given. Also, there is great satisfaction seeing how those contributions can contribute to important change. For example, I helped to integrate the public radio and public television sectors in Cleveland. Public radio and public television had a natural complementary relationship. The integration provided greater cost-efficient service to the community.
What do you find are the benefits of being active in volunteer/not-for-profit organizations?
When people have the opportunity to volunteer, they usually find satisfaction and learn a lot from the experience. For example, Business Volunteers Unlimited helps companies to find meaningful volunteer experiences for employees. Many companies even give employees paid time off for the community services activities. That strengthens the work force as well as the community.
What part of your schooling/life do you believe prepared you the best for your career?
While in school I was not a top student, but I have learned many important lessons throughout my career. Everyone has something to contribute. Listen and learn. Have balance in life and do not be too narrowly focused.
What advice do you have for younger members of the Cleveland Area Alumni Chapter of BGS to succeed in business?
I suggest to the younger members that they should find a job that gives them satisfaction every day. Enjoying your job is pretty much half of the battle. They should be proud of their work and strive to do it to the best of their ability. If your actions appeared on the front page of a newspaper, would you be proud or ashamed? Again, it is important to maintain balance in life and have respect for yourself as well as others.
Do you have any additional tips to offer the members of the alumni chapter?
I have a philosophy that took many years to evolve. You should know the aspects of your life that are truly important. If something is not on the list, then don’t get upset about it. Keep the list short and ensure that you have your priorities in focus. You can still care and act concerning other issues, but save your intensity for critical issues.
Suggestions for the Future?
Please let us know if you have any suggestions for future newsletter ideas such as book reviews, suggestions for upcoming events, updates, likes and dislikes, or anything you think would help improve the newsletter. Send email suggestions to PaulKLebo@aol.com. Thanks!
Additional Information
For any other additional information about the Cleveland Area Alumni Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, please visit http://www.bgscleveland.org.
Bios of BGS Publicity Committee Members of the Newsletter
Andrea Molitoris, Publicity Committee Chair
Andrea Molitoris recently received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting at John Carroll University. Andrea had an audit internship at Crowe Horwath LLP in Cleveland and will be joining as a full-time Staff in September 2010. At JCU, Andrea was an Accounting Tutor for the Accounting Association and was on the Dean’s List. Andrea currently serves as the Treasurer and Publicity Committee Chairperson for the Cleveland Area Alumni Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma.
Kari Mirkin
Kari Mirkin recently earned her Master's of Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University's Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations and is a 2006 graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors in History and German. She works as a program assistant at the Foundation Center-Cleveland and is a steering committee member and co-founder of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-Cleveland. In addition to serving on the publicity committee, Kari is the Press Secretary of the Cleveland Area Alumni Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma.
