News Release

Contact: Michael G. Gaffney, APR
Vice President, Marketing
Office: 330-643-5532
Cell: 330-701-8080

Date: September 21, 2007


UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY RELIES ON ‘LOANED EXECUTIVES’ DURING CAMPAIGN

(AKRON, OHIO) - The 2007 United Way/Red Cross Campaign is in full swing and nine ‘Loaned Executives’ are working hard to make the fundraising campaign a success.

The participants in the ‘Loaned Executive’ (LE) program will help to impact the health and wellness of the residents of Summit County, and at the same time, improve their personal skills and management abilities. The program runs for 13 weeks, and is being sponsored by many local companies. Those companies are: Dominion East Ohio; The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire; Sterling Jewelers, Inc.; First Energy Corporation; Advanced Elastomer Systems, LP: American Red Cross-Summit County Chapter; Myers Industries, Inc.; Baker McMillen Company; Allstate Insurance Company; and the Office of John A. Donofrio, Summit County.

Kevin R. Brown – Kevin is a first year loaned executive from Dominion East Ohio, where he has worked for three and a half years. He started working with United Way a week ago. He has a B.S. degree in eMarketing and Advertising from the University of Akron. He’s a resident of Macedonia.

Virgil L. Brown – Virgil is retired from and sponsored by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He’s in his ninth year as a loaned executive with United Way. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron and a master’s degree from Ohio University. Virgil and his wife Anita live in Akron.

Brian D. Duchon – Brian is a first year loaned executive for United Way. He graduated from the University of Akron in August of 2007. He has a B.F.A in Business Organization Communication. He is recently sponsored by the Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire and Sterling Jewelers, Inc.

Ronald S. Ferre – Ronald is a loaned executive for United Way and is loaned from First Energy Corp. He has worked with First Energy Corp. for twelve years. He has graduated from Malone College with a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Business Management. Ron lives in North Canton with his two daughters.

Irene M. Gillette – Irene is a fourth year loaned executive for United Way. She is a campaign representative for the community division. Irene is sponsored by Advanced Elastomer Systems and American Red Cross-Summit County Chapter. She retired from the American Express Travel Related Services. She now works as an Independent Consultant with Munroe Falls Travel. She lives in Silver Lake, Ohio.

Leonard (Leo) Johnson – Leo is in his fourth year as a loaned executive. He is retired from and sponsored in the LE program by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Leo is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in mathematics. He lives in Cuyahoga Falls with his wife, and they are the proud parents of five daughters, proud grandparents of 15, and he recently added a great-grandchild to their brood.

Joseph E. Pallotta – Joe is a second year loaned executive to United Way from Myers, Ind. & Baker McMillen. He has been a plant manager at Myers, Ind. & Baker McMillen for 33 years. He has a B.S. in Tech Education from the University of Akron. He lives with his wife, Donna Marie and they have five children and ten grandchildren.

Jill S. Patterson – Jill is a loaned executive to United Way from Allstate Insurance Company. She has worked at Allstate Insurance for fourteen years. She will graduate from Walsh University in the spring of 2008 with two B.A. degrees in Management and Marketing. She lives in Akron with her husband and daughter.

Shirley A. Washington – Shirley is a loaned executive to United Way from John A. Donofrio, Summit County Fiscal Officer. This is her second year as a loaned executive. Shirley is a graduate from Fayetteville State University, Fayette, N.C. with a B.S. in Business education. She is working towards her master’s degree. Shirley has two daughters and is the proud grandparent of five.

Loaned Executive Photos

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.