Board Members

Michelle L. Molinet is chief financial officer for J.W. Didado Electric, LLC.  In her role as CFO, Michelle serves as a strategic partner to the president and helps shape overall financial strategy and direction. She is responsible for all financial and accounting functions within the company and works directly with executive leadership to support operations.

Prior to joining J.W. Didado in 2015, Michelle held a senior financial position for a privately held company and was a Sr. Manager in the Audit and Assurance Division at a regional public accounting firm where she specialized in Construction Accounting.

Michelle is a graduate of Malone University and a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio Society of CPA’s

Rick is the Chief Financial Officer at ID Images and has extensive financial management and entrepreneurial experience.

Rick holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Akron and an MBA from Kent State University.

Having grown up in Summit County, Rick has a passion for the community and the mission of Habitat for Humanity.  Rick serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County and First Tee of Greater Akron.  He lives in Silver Lake with his wife and has two grown children.

Dave is an alumni of both Leadership Akron and Torchbearers, and he is a 2009 graduate of the University of Akron School of Law. He currently practices with The Becker Law Firm, where he primarily focuses on the area of medical malpractice. He grew up in a Christian household, and he has strong connections with several local churches and pastors. He is currently a member of Grace Church in Bath, and he has also had previous involvement with Habitat. Additionally, Dave has volunteered with Akron Children’s Hospital and the Akron Zoo, and he is still a coach for the University of Akron law school’s nationally recognized mock trial team. Dave has a passion for people, and is always willing to help those in need. As a member of the Board, he will use both his legal knowledge and community ties to further the interests of Habitat.

EMERITUS – David joined Western Reserve Trust Company in 2024 after nearly 27 years in private law practice where he focused primarily on estate planning, wealth transfer and succession planning, probate and trust administration, inheritance controversy litigation, and real estate law. As the Relationship Manager and Director of Business Development for WRTC, David focuses his attention on providing concierge level service to clients and collaborating closely with clients’ other professional advisors to make sure the needs and goals of the clients are constantly being addressed. David works closely with professional advisors throughout the state and prides himself on working collaboratively to find the best solutions for the clients. Prior to joining WRTC, David worked with Roetzel & Andress, LPA in their Cleveland and Akron offices and, over the course of his career, has served in multiple leadership positions within his law firms. Over the years, David has been a frequent presenter and author on a wide array of estate planning and real estate related topics. David and his wife, Christine, live in Bath, Ohio and have three daughters. In his free time, David enjoys coaching volleyball, playing golf, running obstacle course races, and supporting the professional Cleveland sports teams.

I have more than 15 years of experience delivering comprehensive investment, planning, and financial solutions to clients. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University.

In addition to my role at Huntington, I serve on the Peninsula Library Foundation Board. I am involved in the Emerging Professionals Akron network, Pelotonia, Akron/Canton Food Bank and United Way. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and volunteering.

EMERITUS

Patrick Miller retired from Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, a member of The Tokio Marine Group.

He worked for Standard Insurance Company for two decades where he held various roles of increasingly responsible sales & management positions in both home office and the field environments. Prior to joining Reliance Standard, Mr. Miller was President of Client First Group of Ohio which provided employee benefit consulting for clients which employed 1,000 plus employees. Mr. Miller holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from University of Oregon.

Chapman began her career with Akron Public Schools in 1995. Recently appointed as the district’s Chief Diversity Officer, she works to promote equity and inclusion across the district, staff and community engagement. Her recent work includes a focus on diversity training and coaching for teachers, school leaders, families and other professionals. An Akron native, Chapman has dedicated her career to advocating for urban families and children.
Chapman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in 1985 and a Master of Arts degree from The University of Akron in 1994, both degrees in the study of Family and Consumer Science. She holds a number of certifications including social services coordination, divorce & community mediation, adult experiential learning, diversity and trauma training. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Interprofessional Leadership with a Cultural Foundations focus.
In her first job with APS, Chapman worked as the Enterprise Community Family Services Liaison for several inner-city schools in low-income neighborhoods. She coordinated student and family support services, including: after-school programs, health services, academic interventions, and case management.
In 1997, Chapman became a Social Services Specialist for the district. She coordinated several local, state and federal grant projects serving students in grades K-12, bringing many organizations together in creative partnerships with APS.
Then, from 2003-2009, she became a Special Projects Coordinator. In this role, Chapman developed a nationally recognized after-school model called Perkins Activities Central. PAC brought community partners together from throughout Summit County to address barriers to academic achievement.
WKYC-TV highlighted the program as a best practice in its 2006 documentary, “Making the Grade: Helping our Kids Achieve.”
In her current position, Chapman serves on several community boards and advisory councils, including Akron Community Foundation, Alchemy, Inc., Habitat for Humanity and Portage Path Behavioral Health and the Akron Community Foundation.
She is also a Child and Family Leadership Exchange (CFLE), Class II graduate and a Leadership Akron (LA), Class XXV graduate.
In 2003, the YWCA named Chapman a Woman of Achievement for becoming the first female in Akron to be named the head coach of a boy’s basketball team and was awarded the Athlete of the Millennium award by the Akron Beacon Journal.

Dr. Vickie is an educator, motivational speaker, author and administrator. Before relocating to  Ohio on 2017, she worked in south suburban school districts of Chicago for over 15 years in  various positions, including classroom teacher, director, coordinator and principal. She was  instrumental in changing the culture and climate in many of those schools. Dr. Vickie has a  passion to encourage, educate, empower and equip children and adults in as many urban  communities as possible. 

In 2002, Dr. Vickie obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit and left Corporate America after 17 years  of work to enter the Public School System for service. Since that time she completed an  accelerated program at Governors State University and received her Illinois Teaching Certificate in  2003. She attended Olivet Nazarene University and graduated May 2007 with a Masters in School  Improvement Leadership. She has served as a classroom teacher, building principal and district  administrator in various Chicago public school districts. Dr. Vickie enrolled again at Olivet  Nazarene University and on May 8, 2010 she became the 1st African American, male or female, to  receive a Doctorate Degree in Ethical Leadership in the history of the university. She was the  commencement speaker. Dr. Vickie went on to become a Professor and Coordinator of the Master  of Arts in Urban Teacher Education Program at Governors State University.  

Dr. Vickie is happily married to Rev. Dr. Booker J. Person, Pastor of Greater Bethel Baptist  Church of Akron, Ohio. Together, they are the proud parents of three wonderful, productive  children. Jamella, Stephen, Brooke and is “Glamorous GiGi” to Jaloni and Journey. Most of The  Person Family resides in Akron, Ohio (Stephen is currently in Dallas) and they enjoy watching  movies, making music and taking vacations together.

With over 33 years in the Property & Casualty Insurance industry Bob currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Casualty Claims at Grange. In this role he spearheads strategic planning, innovation and operational execution of initiatives that support the organization’s mission of providing peace of mind and protection to its customers during life’s unexpected events.

Bob is a graduate of Kent State University holding a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.Additionally, he holds several industry designations including the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter. He has previously served on the advisory board for The Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University and volunteered time with the Special Olympics, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and on Habitat builds.

Lashawrida Fellows is the Deputy Director of Human Resources for the City of Akron.

Lashawrida earned her bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Capella University. She is a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 36.

Lashawrida has a rich history of working and volunteering in the community. She currently serves on the boards of the Women’s Endowment Fund and the Black Giving Collective; Past Board member of AAA – Akron Auto Club and is an alumna and past board of director for Torchbearers. Lashawrida has also participated on the review and selection committee for the Greater Akron Chamber, 30 For the Future Awards and is a Coach for the Leadership Akron’s Diversity on Board Program.

Lashawrida is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is an Advisor for the Kent State Collegiate Chapter, Epsilon Mu. She has also served on membership services, nominating, scholarship, and internal audit committees. 

Lashawrida is very engaged within her community. She seeks to help connect, develop, and encourage other individuals, specifically, young women to become more involved in their community and understand the importance of giving their time, talent, and treasure.

Melissa is the Special Projects Manager at Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration, both from The University of Akron. She is also a graduate of Leadership Akron’s Diversity on Board Program and holds the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) designation.

With over 25 years of experience in social services, public administration, and public service, Melissa has built a distinguished career focused on the delivery of impactful programs and services. Her expertise in assessing eligibility for public assistance programs, interpreting complex policies, and promoting program integrity has helped improve the lives of countless individuals and families. Melissa is recognized for her leadership, commitment to excellence, and ability to advance organizational goals while prioritizing community impact. She is a two- time recipient of the Goodwill Industries of Akron “Employee of Distinction” award, receiving the honor in both 2014 and 2022.

Born and raised in Akron, Melissa continues to call the area home. Outside the office, she is a self-proclaimed foodie who travels for the thrill of a good meal, treasures time with her children, family, and friends, and delights in getting lost in a great book.

Jennifer Geyer is Director of Administrative Services for FirstEnergy. Jen leads FirstEnergy’s centralized Facility Operations, Facilities Planning & Projects and Mail & Food Services teams across five states.

Jen joined FirstEnergy in 1996 in the Marketing Information Center and held a series of corporate, back-office and sales roles for FirstEnergy Solutions before being promoted to Manager of Business Analytics in 2008. She was named Manager, Corporate in 2011, with responsibility for equity compensation plans, insider trading compliance, related regulatory filings and governance matters.

In 2015, she was promoted to Assistant Corporate Secretary. In this role, she acted as a liaison for the company’s Board of Directors and handled subsidiary management along with her previous responsibilities.

Jen earned a Bachelor of Science in sales and marketing from The University of Akron and a Master of Business Administration from Malone University.

An active community member, Jen currently serves on the Board of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County and is a member of the Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio Golf Committee. She has also served on the Board of Adventure Place.