Brouse McDowell, ideastream and KPMG executives bring unique insights to Northeast Ohio’s business development efforts
Team NEO board members appoint three leaders to the organization’s board: Eric Logan of KPMG LLP; Kevin E. Martin of ideastream; and Marc B. Merklin of Brouse McDowell LPA. Each of these executives brings specialized knowledge to the business development organization in areas pivotal to accelerating business growth, creating jobs and building prosperity for the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio.
“As Team NEO continually strives to broaden the scope of expertise and experience on our board, we feel fortunate to be welcoming these influential leaders to our organization,” said Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler. “The fresh perspectives Eric, Kevin and Marc bring to the table will help us shine new light on the business development opportunities and challenges of our region.”
Team NEO Board Chairman Dr. Jodi Berg, president and CEO of Vitamix added, “Bolstering the board with these extraordinary industry leaders will bring insights into the powerful solutions this already talented board is doing to strengthen our regional economy.”
About Eric Logan
Eric Logan currently serves as a principal in the Industrial Manufacturing Strategy practice at KPMG, LLP. In his role, he serves C-suite clients at Fortune 200 companies in cost management, supply chain optimization, procurement and operating strategy. Additionally, he serves as the firm’s US lead for its global Industry 4.0 initiative. He is also the partner sponsor and lead of KPMG’s Cleveland Inclusion and Diversity Council, as well as the lead of the Diversity Council for the Columbus Hub, which includes the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville offices.
Prior to working at KPMG, Eric held the position of vice president and general manager of Special Metals Welding Products Company in Newton, North Carolina, a subsidiary of Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC). Previously at PCC, he held positions of vice president of Commercial at the PCC Revert Group, general manager of McWilliams Forge Company, division manager at Huntington Alloys, and vice president of Business Strategy for PCC Forged Products. Prior to PCC, Eric was an executive advisor for international strategy firm Booz & Company. He has also worked in various positions in metallurgy, quality and operations in the steel industry for LTV Steel, International Steel Group and NorthStar BHP Steel.
Throughout his career and life, Eric has also maintained a dedication to community and civic service. In Cleveland, he currently sits on the boards of Esperanza, Inc. and the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center. Nationally, he serves on the National Advisory Council of “A Better Chance, Inc.,” a program that helps place underprivileged minority students into top-notch secondary schools, as well as the Stanford University Alumni Board. Eric has previously been recognized by A Better Chance as a “Rising Star,” and by Crain’s Cleveland Business as a member of the 2011 “40 under 40” class.
Eric, a Cleveland native, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in materials science and engineering from Stanford University in Stanford, California, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
About Kevin E. Martin
Kevin E. Martin is president and CEO of ideastream, which holds the licenses for WVIZ/PBS, WCPN/NPR and WCLV/Classical Music. He joined ideastream in 2017 to continue the pioneering work the Northeast Ohio multiple media public service organization is known for across the country. His vision for growth includes larger audiences across all platforms through improved user experience, more individual and community engagement, and ultimately, increased individual, community and corporate support.
Prior to joining ideastream, Kevin served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of KQED, the public media organization serving the San Francisco Bay area. Before leading operations at KQED, he spent seven years as the vice president of Station Grants and Television Station Initiatives at Corporation for Public Broadcasting, (CPB). At CPB, Kevin was charged with overseeing the management and disbursement of $280 million in “formula” grants to public television and radio stations — more than 70 percent of the corporation’s total federal appropriation — and was responsible for several other competitive grant programs for public television stations.
Kevin began his career in public media in 1990 at the Independent Television Service (ITVS), as its first director of Finance and Administration, establishing the infrastructure and core business systems for the then-new public media entity. After five years with ITVS, he moved on to work as senior vice president and CFO of Twin Cities Public Television (KTCA), where he was instrumental in developing its first for-profit subsidiary. In 1998, Kevin joined North Texas Public Broadcasting (KERA), serving as executive vice president and COO, and interim president and CEO, leading the effort to turn around KERA’s financial performance after five consecutive years of deficits.
Kevin has served on numerous boards of directors, including the International Public Television (INPUT), the YMCA of the East Bay, the Development Exchange Inc. (DEI) and the Public Broadcasting Management Association (PBMA). He served on the ITVS Board of Directors from 1999 to 2004, serving as chairman in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He currently serves on the boards of Public Broadcast Service (PBS), Station Resource Group (SRG) and United Way of Greater Cleveland.
Kevin earned a Master of Public Administration from American University in 2010 and a Bachelor of Science in General Management/Accounting from Purdue University in 1984.
About Marc B. Merklin
Marc is currently managing partner of Brouse McDowell LPA. He focuses on general business counseling, commercial law and business reorganizations. He represents creditors, debtors, committees and trustees in Chapter 11 reorganizations, as well as borrowers in loan transactions and bankruptcy and commercial litigation.
Marc also works on the sale and acquisition of financially distressed companies. He was named a Fellow in the 30th Class of the American College of Bankruptcy, a prestigious recognition for those who have exhibited professional excellence and made substantial contributions to the bankruptcy and insolvency practice. Marc is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated through Martindale-Hubbell.
His professional and civic activities include:
- Chair, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce
- Graduate, Leadership Akron, Class XIV
- Member, Akron, Cleveland Metropolitan, Ohio State and American Bar Associations
- National Board Member, Jewish Community Centers Association of North America
- Past President, Shaw Jewish Community Center of Akron; Akron Bar Association; Jewish Community Board of Akron
- Past Board Chair, Child Guidance & Family Solutions; United Way of Summit County; Akron Community Foundation; County of Summit, Alcohol Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services
About Team NEO
Team NEO is an economic development organization focused on creating jobs for Northeast Ohio’s residents. In collaboration with our partners, it leads the region’s business attraction efforts, supports business retention and expansion work as Northeast Ohio’s JobsOhio affiliate, accelerates the impact of innovation in the region, and aligns strategies and resources within the economic development network to maximize its impact. In addition, Team NEO provides tools to assist employers in attracting talent to the region. The Northeast Ohio economic development network provides business decision-makers with access to customized solutions that accelerate growth, foster innovation and mitigate risk through a connected and collaborative ecosystem.