New members bring unique perspectives to help Team NEO advance regional economic growth
The board of directors of Team NEO has elected four new members — all prominent executives in the Northeast Ohio business community:
- Terrell Dillard, president, Jan-Pro NE Ohio and ZayMat Distributors
- Neal Grode, executive director, Northern Ohio market, UnitedHealthcare
- Ariane Kirkpatrick, CEO and president, The AKA Team
- Allen J. Mistysyn, senior vice president, finance, and CFO, The Sherwin-Williams Company
“These influential leaders bring fresh perspectives that will help us uncover new business development opportunities, address challenges head-on and help Team NEO facilitate equitable personal and regional economic growth across Northeast Ohio,” said Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler. “We feel fortunate to welcome them to our organization.”
Specifically, based on his experience as the leader of a mid-market provider of services/ supplies to commercial/industrial businesses, Dillard will contribute deep business and operational insights. Grode’s healthcare/insurance expertise will bolster Team NEO’s understanding of healthcare/talent retention issues facing companies today. Kirkpatrick will advise in matters of site development, a key component to ensure the region is an attractive location for businesses. And Mistysyn’s experience as a C-suite leader within one of Northeast Ohio’s leading companies will be pivotal in any number of circumstances across the breadth of industries critical to Northeast Ohio’s strength.
All four new board members will support Team NEO’s efforts to build a vibrant regional economy in Northeast Ohio – one that is talented, equitable, innovative, resilient, competitive and prosperous.
Team NEO Board Chairwoman Dr. Jodi Berg, president and CEO of Vitamix, added, “These leaders will enhance the results-oriented culture that drives Team NEO and encourage engagement among others in the private sector in important economic development initiatives. Our organization works to create jobs, expand businesses and connect companies to the resources they need. A strong and diverse board of directors is vital to bringing the region’s goals to fruition.”
About Terrell Dillard
Terrell Dillard is the owner and regional developer for Jan-Pro since 2003, selling and managing over 200 commercial cleaning franchises and 720 clients in the Cleveland, Akron, and Toledo markets, and ZayMat Distributors, a full-service industrial, safety, PPE and fuel supply company with over $30 million under contract in the U.S. Skilled in negotiation, business planning, operations management, coaching, public speaking and sales, Dillard is a graduate of Cornell University.
About Neal Grode
Neal Grode is the executive director for the Northern Ohio market of UnitedHealthcare. His focus is on creating a consistent, affordable experience for UnitedHealthcare customers, providers and broker partners; increasing employee satisfaction; and improving the health of the people living in Northern Ohio. Prior to this role, Neal was the director of account management responsible for managing customer relationships in Cincinnati and Dayton. He has been with UnitedHealthcare since 2007.
About Ariane Kirkpatrick
Ariane Kirkpatrick is CEO and president of The AKA Team, a full-service commercial construction and facilities company. Based in Cleveland, the 10-year-old firm partners with its clients to provide collaborative management and construction services through three divisions, construction management, commercial waterproofing and general contracting. No matter the scale of a project, the mission is to offer solutions with the company motto in mind: Always Known As the Team you can depend on.
About Allen J. Mistysyn
Allen J. Mistysyn is senior vice president, finance, and CFO for Sherwin-Williams. He has held a variety of operational and corporate finance leadership positions since joining the company in June 1990. Mistysyn holds a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in economics from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University.
About Team NEO
Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization accelerating business growth and job creation throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio. As the designated JobsOhio Network Partner, we align and amplify local economic development efforts in Northeast Ohio’s 18-county region; we conduct research and data analysis to inform local conversations and influence solutions; we market Northeast Ohio as a region; and we work to increase access to jobs, education and training for the region’s 4.3 million people. For more information, visit teamneo.org.