Businesswoman of the Month: Libby Hill The Lake County Business Journal’s Businesswoman of the Month for June is Libby Hill, owner of Family Karate in Mentor.       Libby Hill   Libby was nominated by her serial entrepreneur husband Tom, owner of Thomas Hill Investment Services in Mentor. He says he nominated his wife of 30 years “because she’s great.” “I am just really proud of what she has been able to do and the fact that she has chosen to apply her skills in this business that allows us to have such a positive impact on people’s lives,” Tom said. “She has had such a good influence on people – that’s been the constant in all the different things she’s done.” Read More Looking for a few good women The Lake County Business Journal is launching its inaugural Businesswoman of the Month Awards. Each month, the LCBJ will name a local woman as Businesswoman of the Month. Plans are for the winners to be recognized at a luncheon in early 2010, with one monthly winner being named Businesswoman of the Year. These awards will recognize the efforts and successes of businesswomen in Lake County. They honor those who demonstrate creativity and initiative in their profession and improve the quality of life for others in the community. To qualify, the nominee must work for or own a business in Lake County. The Professional Women's Institute at Lakeland Community College is partnering with the LCBJ to determine honorees. Click here for nomination details and to print a nomination form.

June 2009
Boomers go bust during recession
Workers age 45 and older put retirement plans on hold to find a job

By Ron Hollowell

Mark Gifford: “People my age who are out of work are extremely lucky if they can find a job that pays them close to what they were making before they were downsized.” Photo by Marc Golub

Mark Gifford knows all too well that the odds of him finding a job paying a salary comparable to what he pulled in as an accountant with RMS Management and at Walthall, Drake & Wallace LLP, are stacked against him.

The 53-year-old Mentor resident was downsized at RMS Management in March 2009, yet he’s not discouraged about his job prospects. He is utilizing recruiters and employment agencies in his quest to land a new position.

“It’s tough out there,” said Gifford, a divorced father of two grown sons. “People my age who are out of work are extremely lucky if they can find a job that pays them close to what they were making before they were downsized.”

After spending 21 years as a Wickliffe Post Office employee, Gifford decided to make a career change and become an accountant. He studied at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland and completed his degree at Cleveland State University. Networking with contacts he established while at CSU helped Gifford to land his first accounting job at Walthall, Drake & Wallace.

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FOCUS ON FINANCING
With financing hard to find, the Lake County Port Authority can help businesses access available financing options, even in today’s economy. From SBA loans to the Lake County Microloan Program and partnerships with other area port authorities, they can help. And financial planner Janice Cackowski helps you make sense of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. Learn how you can reduce your mortgage payments, refinance and get a loan even in today’s economy.

FOCUS ON WESTERN LAKE COUNTY
Eastlake, Wickliffe and Willowick are focusing on nurturing existing businesses, expanding its commercial and residential base, preparing for the next generation of homeowners and becoming a shopping destination. See what else is new on Lake County’s west side.

BUSINESS BRIEFS
The Downtown Painesville Organization was admitted into the Ohio Main Street Program… GF Management and Interwest Capital have partnered to manage Quail Hollow Resort in Concord Township… Jack's Pools of Madison is now affiliated with the Backyard Place… Laketran has introduced GreenPerks, an economic incentive program to help merchants located along fixed routes spur retail sales and reinforce the use of public transit… read more Lake County area business news in the print edition.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Tec Inc. Engineering & Design, an Eastlake mechanical, electrical, lighting and technology firm, has hired John Hird as a senior electrical project designer and Thomas Manuszak as a mechanical project engineer… Debra Manzo is now branch manager of the Mentor office of Park View Federal Savings Bank… Dr. Susan Culotta was appointed to the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board… Andrea Wasdovich, BA, BSN, MSHA was named vice president of perioperative, critical care services and emergency medicine for Lake Hospital System…read about more Movers and Shakers in the print edition.

Pick up a copy of the print edition and read all this and more including Adventures in Dining, Free Samples, Awards & Honors and other Lake County Business Journal features.

JULY/AUGUST
• Education & Training
• Community Focus: Painesville Township/Fairport Harbor/Grand River
• NEW Feature! Nonprofit & Volunteering

SEPTEMBER
• Investing Your Money
• Community Focus: Mentor Commercial/Living
• Favorite Restaurant Survey Results