Barb Ewing
Chief Executive Officer
Barb joined the YBI after eight years working in Congressman Tim Ryan’s office in the position of Economic Development Director. Prior to that, she was VP of Public Policy for the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, where she lobbied to bring state and federal funding back to the Mahoning Valley for community development projects. She is pleased to be teamed up again with Jim Cossler, who was her first boss at the Better Business Bureau (and who was still willing to hire her, in spite of having worked with her previously!).
Barb’s position at YBI builds on all of those professional experiences, as she works to secure funding to expand both the physical campus and operations of the organization, oversees daily operations and continues to build on the collaborative relationship YBI currently enjoys.
A Mahoning Valley native, Barb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University and a Master’s degree from Capella University.

Barb Ewing
Chief Executive Officer

Colleen Kelly
Senior Director, Organizational Advancement

Heidi Ruby
Director, Operations

Chandler Fiffick
Coordinator, Entrepreneurial Services Program

Megan Payich
Coordinator, Development

Tommy Metzinger
Accountant
advanced manufacturing team

Stephanie Gaffney
Director of Advanced Manufacturing Programs

Daniel Longo
Engineering Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Dylan Negro
Engineering Project Manager & Technician, Advanced Manufacturing

Rich Lonardo
Engineering Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Dean Jaric
Engineering Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Brendan Thoreson
Engineering Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing
Minority, Women, & Youth Entrepreneurship Team

Stephanie Gilchrist, CBA
Director, Minority Business Assistance Center

Vern Richberg, CBA
Director, Supply Chain Diversity

Tanisha Wheeler
Director, Women & Youth Entrepreneurship

David Hood
Administrative Assistant
Entrepreneurs in Residence

Jim Cossler
Entrepreneur in Residence,
Digital

Sally Schriner
Entrepreneur in Residence,
Sales & Marketing

Dana Allender
Entrepreneur in Residence,
Digital

Robert Pelletier
Entrepreneur in Residence, Additive Manufacturing

Bob Sopko
Entrepreneur in Residence,
Digital

Scott Shane
Entrepreneur in Residence,
Investment
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