Movers & Shakers

FAMILY BUSINESS CENTER OF CENTRAL OHIO
The Family Business Center of Central Ohio named J. Richard Emens as executive director. Emens will continue to serve as a partner with the law firm of Chester, Wilcox & Saxbe and has also committed to expand the services and increase the membership base of this growing organization.

The center has been serving the needs of family-owned businesses since 1998. Membership includes family businesses and service providers representing more than 3,000 employees. Emens was a founding member and has served as chairman of the advisory board for many years.

Emens has worked with more than 250 family-owned businesses over the past 30 years. He has spoken and written extensively on family business issues and is co-author, with his wife and law partner Bea Wolper, of “Family Business Basics: The Guide to Family Business Financial Success.” Emens is president of Audubon Ohio, chair of the Whittier Peninsula Park Advisory Board, a trustee of Franklin University and an officer and member of many other business and professional organizations.

“With Emens at the helm, family businesses will see an emphasis on high-level seminar topics and presenters and will see a growing list of core services,” says Mike Schoedinger, of Schoedinger Funeral Services, a long-time member of the center’s advisory board.

The Family Business Center of Central Ohio recognizes outstanding family businesses each year at its awards celebration in November. Businesses of various sizes are recognized for their success in handling family issues while developing strong businesses.

BALLETMET COLUMBUS
Pam Bishop was selected as development director for BalletMet Columbus. She is responsible for directing its comprehensive fund-raising programs. A member of the senior management team, the development director works with a 48-member board of trustees and four-person development team to raise $2.2 million each year through annual and special gift campaigns, government and foundation grants and special events, and to strategically plan for future capital and endowment needs.

Previously, Bishop was assistant director of development at Columbus College of Art & Design. She worked with the Children’s Hunger Alliance and was a professional dancer and teacher in Columbus for 17 years.

COLUMBUS COALITION AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence named Karen Days president. Days has been the coalition’s executive director since September 1999. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University and oversees the development and implementation of initiatives created by the Coalition’s five task forces and its board of directors, as well as a staff of four.

Previously, she worked as the Safety Critical Needs Specialist at United Way of Franklin County and as assistant chief of the Grants Section at the Office of Criminal Justice Services. She is a member and treasurer of the board of trustees for Westside-Eastside Child Care Centers Association and received the first Karama Community Leadership Award from the Columbus Urban League in October 2001.

THOMPSON HINE LLP
Law firm Thompson Hine named three new partners. Anthony White joined the company as partner in the business litigation practice group. His practice focuses on complex business litigation with an emphasis in employment litigation. White also serves as the basketball analyst for 610 WTVN AM in Columbus and has a weekly radio show from January through March analyzing The Ohio State University basketball and college basketball.

Daniel Edwards was named partner in the construction practice group. He focuses his practice on public and private construction law, government contracts and general litigation. Recently, he successfully represented the lead plaintiff in receiving one of the largest contract awards ever against the state of Ohio in the Ohio Court of Claims.

Scott Campbell was named partner in the business litigation and product liability practice groups. His practice focuses on general civil and commercial litigation, including disputes involving land use and zoning, lending practices, financial fraud, corporate control contests and fiduciary malfeasance.

EMERGING MARKETING
Business-to-business marketing company Emerging Marketing hired Todd Anderson as director of business development. He is responsible for developing new client relationships and working with existing clients to develop long-term strategic marketing initiatives. He has an extensive agency background, having worked with Ryan Partnership, marchFIRST, Ten Resource and NCR.

Melanie Spangler was hired as director of client services. She is responsible for maintaining and growing client relationships, fostering strategic partnerships and ensuring overall account profitability. Most recently, she was an account supervisor with Fahlgren Inc.

GBQ PARTNERS LLC
GBQ Partners LLC hired Jenny Harmon as a tax and consulting senior manager in the Physician Practice Group. Harmon joins GBQ with more than 13 years of experience in health care operations and accounting. Previously, she was an owner in a local accounting firm. Prior to that, Harmon was the office manager of a Columbus cardiology group. In addition to being a CPA, Harmon is a certified professional coder and certified medical manager.