May 12, 2026 – Chapter Meeting

Program Details

Keynote Presentation: Details Coming Soon!

Presented by John Skrtic, Chief of Special Projects and Collections at Cleveland Public Library, and Mike Polk Jr., Comedian and TV commentator

About the Speakers:

John Skrtic is a figure known for his historical presentations at the Music Box Supper Club in Cleveland, often in collaboration with Mike Polk Jr. He is a local history enthusiast, particularly focused on Cleveland’s photographic past, and is described as “the Dean of The People’s University” at Cleveland Public Library,according to Facebook. Skrtic and Polk Jr. present shows at the Music Box Supper Club that delve into Cleveland’s history, often using historical photos and nostalgic advertisements.

Specifically, they have a show titled “Twisted Takes on Historic CLE Photos,” which explores various aspects of Cleveland’s past, including the infamous Balloonfest ’86.The shows are described as hilarious and entertaining, combining Polk Jr.’s humor with Skrtic’s historical knowledge.

Skrtic’s involvement with the Music Box Supper Club and his collaboration with Mike Polk Jr. highlight his role as a local historian and presenter who brings Cleveland’s past to life through engaging and often humorous shows.

https://cpl.org/

Event Details/Registration

LOCATION:
Nuevo Modern Mexican
1000 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

DATE / TIME:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
4:30-7:30pm

REGISTRATION:
FEI Members/Strategic Partners: free of charge
Guests: $50.00

REGISTER HERE

April 21, 2026 – Chapter Meeting

Program Details

Keynote Presentation: “The Davey Tree Expert Company – History, Employee Ownership, and the Future”

Presented by Joseph R. Paul, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of The Davey Tree Expert Company

About the Speaker:

Joe is an accomplished finance executive with more than 40 years of experience spanning public accounting, industry, and service-based organizations. As Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary of The Davey Tree Expert Company, the leading provider of horticultural services throughout the United States and Canada and the ninth largest employee-owned company in the U.S., Joe provides strategic financial leadership and operational oversight in support of long-term growth and sustainability.

Throughout his career, Joe has held senior leadership roles with responsibility for accounting, finance, banking relationships, treasury operations, risk management, tax strategy, and information technology. This broad functional expertise has enabled him to align financial discipline with business strategy, strengthen internal controls, and support informed decision-making across the organization.

During the past 20 years, Joe has been instrumental in driving Davey Tree’s successful growth, contributing to financial stability, scalability, and continued value creation for employee-owners. Known for a collaborative leadership style and deep technical knowledge, Joe is committed to fostering a strong financial foundation that supports both operational excellence and long-term strategic objectives.

https://www.davey.com/

Event Details/Registration

LOCATION:
The Davey Tree Expert Company
SEED Campus
6700 OH-43, Kent, OH 44240

DATE / TIME:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
4:30-7:30pm

REGISTRATION:
FEI Members/Strategic Partners: free of charge
Guests: $50.00

REGISTER HERE

March 19, 2026 – Chapter Meeting

Program Details

Keynote Presentation: “Unlocking Northeast Ohio’s Potential: Advancing business growth and opportunity across the 14-county region”

Presented by Matt Dolan, Chief Executive Officer of Team NEO

About the Speaker:

As Chief Executive Officer of Team NEO, Matt Dolan leads efforts to drive economic growth and prosperity across Northeast Ohio. With experience spanning law, business, and government, he focuses on strengthening the region’s economic competitiveness through business attraction and retention, supply chain development, innovation, site preparedness, and positioning Northeast Ohio as a premier destination for investment.

Prior to Team NEO, Matt served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio State Senate, chairing the Finance Committee in both chambers. He oversaw billions in state budget decisions and played a key role in shaping economic development tools used by JobsOhio and Team NEO to attract and expand businesses and create jobs statewide.

Matt is a partner at Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan, LPA, where he has advised businesses and municipalities on economic development, land use, and regulatory matters. A Northeast Ohio native, he holds a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a B.A. in History from Boston College.

https://northeastohioregion.com/

Event Details/Registration

LOCATION:
Nuevo Modern Mexican
1000 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

DATE / TIME:
Thursday, March 19, 2026
4:30-7:30pm

REGISTRATION:
FEI Members/Strategic Partners: free of charge
Guests: $50.00

REGISTER HERE

February 24, 2026 – Chapter Meeting

Program Details

Keynote Presentation- Lessons From the Trail: A Seasoned M & A Attorney’s Observations

Presented by Ben Calkins, Founder and Manager of Calkins Law Firm. Drawing from years of experience across complex transactions, this talk explores the real-world lessons, judgment calls, and behind-the-scenes realities that shape successful M&A deals.

About the Speaker: For decades, Ben Calkins worked at some of the world’s largest and most prestigious law firms. He saw firsthand how the “big law” model, with its crushing overhead and focus on billable hours, often failed the very clients it was meant to serve. He knew there had to be a better way to practice law—a way that was simpler, faster, and more cost-effective.

As a lifelong entrepreneur and small business owner himself—from running a sheep farm to founding High Meadow Skin Care—Ben understands the challenges and pressures that business owners face every day. He founded Calkins Law Firm on a simple premise: to provide the elite expertise of a large downtown firm but with the practical, no-nonsense approach of a fellow business owner.

This firm was built to be different by leveraging technology and a modern, streamlined model to deliver sophisticated legal advice efficiently, always guided by Ben’s career-long commitment to one simple rule: do what you say you will, when you say you will, and for the agreed-upon price.

https://calkinslawfirm.com/

Event Details/Registration

LOCATION:
Nuevo Modern Mexican
1000 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

DATE / TIME:
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
4:30-7:30pm

REGISTRATION:
FEI Members/Strategic Partners: free of charge
Guests: $50.00

REGISTER HERE

January 29, 2026 – Chapter Meeting

Program Details

Keynote Presentation: The Transformative Power of Education in Our Region

Presented by Sara Elaqad, Executive Director, of Minds Matter Cleveland this session highlights the transformative power of education and mentorship in shaping brighter futures for young people across Northeast Ohio. Sara will share how targeted mentoring programs help students overcome barriers, unlock potential, and achieve long-term academic and personal success.

Through real examples from Minds Matter Cleveland, attendees will gain insight into why educational attainment matters for the strength of our region and how community and business leaders can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students who need it most.

About the Speaker: Sara Elaqad has been a passionate supporter of Minds Matter Cleveland since 2011 and has served as its Executive Director since 2018. She began her involvement as a mentor and has dedicated herself to ensuring the success of Cleveland students. Sara’s commitment to education extends to her service on the Cleveland Board of Education, where she has served since 2019 and currently holds the position of Chair. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Council of the Great City Schools, an organization focused on improving education for students in urban schools nationwide.

Sara earned her B.A. from The Ohio State University and her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. She believes deeply in the potential of every young person and the responsibility of adults to help remove barriers to success. As she says, “Education should be the great equalizer, and Minds Matter helps make that true.” 

Featuring an opening discussion with Richard De Carlo of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation

USSCLF began as an idea during a visit from Tom Modly, NE Ohio-native and then Undersecretary of the Navy.  The discussion surrounded many topics among them the notion of a fourth vessel to carry the name USS Cleveland.   The discussion became reality with an announcement in October 2018, presented on USS Cod.  With that the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation was underway.

The Foundation, a recognized 501c3, is charted to fulfill a three-phase mission.

Phase 1: To build awareness fostering a relationship between the ship (LCS-31), her crew of ninety, and our Greater Cleveland – NE Ohio community. In so doing, sending her to the fleet and points determined by the needs of the Navy in fine fashion. May 2026, she will be commissioned at North Coast Harbor, with sail away to Mayport Naval Station, Jacksonville, FL.

Phase 2: Ongoing support of the crew by extending programs and recognition that enhances the support provided by The Navy.  This phase will be concurrent with the service life of the vessel.

Phase 3: Promote her possible return to Cleveland as a museum ship, after her service life ends.

This discussion will provide background while “hitting the wavetops” on the project, its mission and details of what’s coming to Cleveland, Ohio, in 2026.

Event Details/Registration

LOCATION:
Nuevo Modern Mexican
1000 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

DATE / TIME:
Thursday, January 29, 2026
4:30-7:30pm

REGISTRATION:
FEI Members/Strategic Partners: free of charge
Guests: $50.00

REGISTER HERE