ClevelandPeople.Com Ambassadors

Andrea Andrioff Alusheff was born and raised in NE Ohio, currently residing in Wickliffe, OH. She is married to fellow Macedonian, Tom Alusheff and they have two sons.

Anrea is a graduate of The Ohio State University. She is second generation Macedonian, both sets of grandparents are from Macedonia.

Andrea is currently serving as president of The Macedonian Patriotic Organization, as well as the local Cleveland chapter, MPO "Vardar."

The Macedonian Patriotic Organization of the United States and Canada ("MPO") is the oldest organization of Americans and Canadians of Macedonian descent in North America. Macedonian-American and Macedonian-Canadian immigrants, including several who fought against the Ottoman Empire during the Ilinden Uprising of 1903, established the MPO in 1922 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the Macedonian Political Organization of the United States and Canada.

From its inception to the current day, the MPO has advocated for the establishment of a free, independent and united Macedonia that guarantees the civil and human rights of all of its citizens. In keeping with the dream of a united and independent Macedonia, the founders of the MPO adopted as the MPO's slogan the eloquent and simple words of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom William Gladstone who, in expressing his views on the "Macedonian Issue" in 1897, clearly proclaimed "Macedonia for the Macedonians."

In addition to being the oldest Macedonian organization in North America, the MPO is also the publisher of the Macedonian Tribune, the oldest Macedonian newspaper in the world, published without interruption since 1927. With worldwide distribution, the Tribune served and continues to serve as the primary voice of the MPO in promoting its positions, activities, and programs.

John Borkowski was born to Stanley and Sophie Borkowski in Janochy, Poland, on October 13, 1944. With his mother and sister (Jane Smolinski), John immigrated to the United States in 1957. John graduated from St. John Cantius Grade School in 1959 and in 1963 he graduated from St. John Cantius High School and was naturalized as an American citizen.

Immediately after graduation, John went to work for the Polish Daily News, where he remained until 1965. That year, John sought greater career challenges at Legal News Publishing Company, and then continued his education, graduating from Colorado Springs School of Printing (Colorado Springs, Colorado). In 1984, John became Superintendent of Legal News Publishing Company, a position which he holds to this day.

John has been involved in the activities of Cleveland's Polonia since his youth. He was a long-time member of the Polonia Soccer Club, and Treasurer of that group for eight years. Between 1962 and 1993, John led "John Borkowski and his Orchestra," a band that was seldom far from the Polonia activities of the day. It was only after John became President of the Alliance of Poles of America that he gave up his first love - music - for his true love - the Alliance.

John has been a member of the Alliance of Poles since 1958. In 1968, John was elected Vice President of Henry Sienkiewicz Group 120, and in 1998, he was elected President of Group 120. In 1982, John was elected a National Director of the Alliance; in 1986, First Vice President; and in 1990, Executive Vice President. This rise to the top of his beloved organization was unimpeded, and, in February of 1992, John Borkowski became Acting President of the Alliance of Poles of America, being sworn in as President in June of that year.

Then, at the 38th, 39th and 40th Quadrennial Conventions held in Cleveland, Ohio in September of 1994, September of 1998 and September of 2002 John was re-elected President of the Alliance - by acclamation, there being no opposition to his candidacy or his victory. One of the achievements of which John is most proud is the establishment of the Polish School at the Alliance of Poles, as well as its dance troupe "PIAST" in 1992.

John's greatest skill is his organizational expertise and his greatest achievement is his ability to unite people, which puts him at the forefront of Polonia. As John's involvement with the Alliance of Poles has grown over the years, so has his involvement with Polonia as a whole. John Borkowski was elected President of the Polish American Congress - Ohio Division in 1995 and re-elected in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

John is an officer and/or member of various organizations including: President of the Friends of John Paul II Foundation, Ohio Chapter; Knight of Pulaski and Director of the Polonia Foundation of Ohio, Inc.; Former President of the Alliance of Poles Federal Credit Union, after recent merger, he is Director of Steel Valley Federal Credit Union; active member of The Cleveland Society of Poles, Inc.; active member of several Polish veterans' organizations including Post #30 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans and Post #152 of the Polish Army Veterans Association.

John's many awards and honors include: "KRZYð KAWALERSKI," (Knight's Cross), the highest honor bestowed on a civilian by the Polish government; medal "ZASÐUðONY DLA KULTURY POLSKIEJ" (for Service to Polish Culture) from the Polish Minister of Culture; the Alliance of Poles of America's highest honor, the "MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD"; the Polonia Foundation of Ohio "POLISH HERITAGE AWARD"; the Polish Army Veterans Association's "MIECZE HALLEROWSKIE" (General Haller's Sword); "KRZYð ZA ZASÐUGI DLA POLSKI" (Cross for Service to Poland); The Cleveland Society of Poles prestigious "GOOD JOE" Polish Heritage Award; The International Services Center "OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD" and American Nationalities Movement "POLISH-AMERICAN OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD".

Dona Brady, now serving in her eighth year as a Member of the Cleveland City Council, has a long record of public service.

Prior to her election, Dona was an Administrator in the Office of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor William D. Mason, Housing Court Administrator for Judge Raymond L. Pianka and served as the Vice-Chairwoman of the Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals. The Councilwoman is also a past President of Westown Community Development Corporation's Board of Trustees.

Councilwoman Brady is working hard as the Council representative to maintain and improve the quality of life in Ward 19. She is very much engaged in every aspect of life in her community. She has been successful in promoting economic development, improving public safety, maintaining the wards housing stock and developing additional recreational opportunities for families. Councilwoman Brady serves as the Chair of the Public Service Committee, Vice-Chair of Public Safety and as a member of the Council's Finance and Community and Economic Development Committees.

The Councilwoman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in Urban Studies with a major in neighborhood revitalization from Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs. She also graduated from CSU's Leadership Academy. Councilwoman Brady serves as the Chair of the Public Service Committee, Vice-Chair of Public Safety and as a member of the Council's Finance and Community and Economic Development Committees.

The Councilwoman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in Urban Studies with a major in neighborhood revitalization from Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs. She also graduated from CSU's Leadership Academy.

Councilwoman Brady was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society and was awarded the 2005 Outstanding Elected Official's Award from CSU Leadership Academy's David C. Sweet Alumni Society. Councilwoman Brady has also been recognized by Jobs with Justice for her record of support on behalf of working families.

The International Services Center and American Nationalities Movement awarded her for humanitarian efforts resettling refugees from the war in Kosova. Recently, Councilwoman Brady was instrumental in establishing a Sister City relationship with Fier, Albania to encourage international trade.

Councilwoman Dona Gallo (Brady) was born on Cleveland's west side and grew up in one of the many neighborhoods that she has the honor of representing at City Hall.

Jeanette Grasselli Brown spent 38 years in industrial research, retiring in 1989 as Director of Corporate Research for BP America (formerly The Standard Oil Co.), From 1989 to 1995 she served as Distinguished Visiting Professor and Director, Research Enhancement at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.

In 1995 she was appointed by Governor Voinovich to the Ohio Board of Regents, the coordinating body for all higher education in the State of Ohio. She was reappointed by Governor Taft in 1999 and she is a past Chair of the Board. She was Vice Chair of the Governor's Commission on Teacher Success in 2002.

Jeanette Grasselli Brown received her B.S. degree from Ohio University and her M.S. in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University. She holds 13 Honorary degrees, including the most recent from the University of Pecs in Hungary. She has 1 patent, 80 publications and 9 books in the field of infrared and Raman spectroscopy. She was Editor of the international journal, Vibrational Spectroscopy from 1989-1995.

Her civic involvements include the Boards of the Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Great Lakes Science Center (Chair, Board), the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (co-chair, Neurological Institute Board), the Holden Arboretum, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Musical Arts Assoc of the Cleveland Orchestra, One Community (co-chair, Board), IdeaStream (past Chair, Board) the Cleveland Scholarship Programs, Inc. (past Chair, Board), and the Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (Vice Pres, Board). She was Co-Chair of the INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair which was held in Cleveland in May, 2003.

She has been a Director on the Board of 6 Fortune 500 corporations and has served on the White House Joint High Level Advisory Panel for assessing US/Japan science and technology. She has been Chair of the U.S. National Committee for IUPAC, national President of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy and Chair of the Analytical Division of the American Chemical Society.

She has received the Garvan Medal as the outstanding woman chemist in the United States from the American Chemical Society, was the first woman inducted into the Ohio Science and Technology Hall of Fame, and is in the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. In 1985 she was selected as one of the Foremost Women of the Twentieth Century and in 2002 she was selected as an International Scientist of the Year.

In 2002 she received the National Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her work with the Hungarian community in Cleveland. In 2004 she received the Great American Award from the Stan Hywet Foundation and she was selected for the book "Ohio 200 years, 200 Women: Ohio's First and Finest". In 2006 she received the In Tribute to Public Service Award from Cleveland State University's Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs.

Extensive experience in public relations, marketing and international business, with specific emphasis on the Baltic States. Strengths in securing and building contacts for trade development, specializing in the agricultural sector. A developed network across diverse commercial and governmental interests.

Ingrida serves as Honorary General Consul of the Republic of Lithuania, City Club of Cleveland, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Cleveland Foreign Consular Corps, Cleveland Rotary International Club Board of Trustees and Honorary President, Rotary Club of Cleveland, Cleveland World Trade Center, Council of International Programs, The Consular Corps College Board of Trustees, International Community Council, Lithuanian American Community, Inc. Chairman, Cultural Council of USA, 1979--1991 and Vice President, 1975 - 1978, Lithuanian American Economic Development Advisory Council, Lithuanian American Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Commodores, Ohio-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Professional Women's Business Association and more.

As President, IB International, Inc. - International Trade Development since 1988, Ingrida has arranged a sister facility relationship between the Cleveland Exposition Center (IX Center) and the Lithuanian Trade Center LITEXPO in Vilnius, Lithuania. She initiated and led a successful campaign in the Lithuanian parliament to retain LITEXPO as an exhibition center, rather than convert it to other functions. In May, 1992 organized the first Lithuanian products exposition at the "Business & Industry 2000" show at the IX Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

Ingrida organized a Joint Communiqué for Establishment of Mutual Relationship between the Ohio Department of Agriculture, The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences, and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Agriculture University. Presently - coordinator of the program.

In May 2003, Ingrida organized the first IT Videoconference between USA and Lithuanian IT companies. In 2004, she arranged the first US Import-Export Bank loan to a Lithuanian agro business company. She is a Manufacturer's sales representative for Lithuanian as well as USA corporations and exclusive US representative of LITEXPO, the Lithuanian Trade Center and US representative of Klaipeda Free Economic Trade Zone in Lithuania.

Ingrida won the American Nationalities Movement "Eagle Award" in 2001, Republic of Lithuania - Order of Grand Duke Vytautas the Great in 2003 and many other awards.

Bo Carlsson is Director of the Executive Doctor of Management (EDM) Program and Frank Tracy Carlton Professor of Economics at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his B.A. in Economics from Harvard College and his Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University. From 1972 to 1984 he was a Research Associate and for five years Associate Director of the Industrial Institute for Economic and Social Research (IUI) in Stockholm, Sweden.

Bo Carlsson has published over 20 books and numerous articles in industrial economics, small business and entrepreneurship, technological change, and industrial policy. His current research interests include entrepreneurship, technology transfer, intellectual property management, and the nature and role of technological innovation systems and industry clusters in economic growth.

Bo Carlsson is a member of the Swedish Cultural Society of Cleveland, the Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 (a local lodge within the Vasa Order of America), the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Ohio (SACC-Ohio), and the International Community Council (ICC). He is also a member of several international professional organizations, including the European Association for Research in Industrial Economics (past president) and the International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society.

Joe Cimperman, a member of Cleveland City Council, has represented Cleveland’s Ward 13 since being elected to City Council in 1996. Serving the St. Clair-Superior, Payne Sterling, Midtown, Downtown, Tremont, Ohio City/ Near West, Duck Island, and Forest City Park neighborhoods, his ward includes many of the most dynamic and thriving areas in the city.

Councilman Cimperman’s current legislative priorities include increasing support for the city’s arts and culture community; continued economic development and revitalization throughout his ward; and the implementation of sustainable environmental policies and legislation in the city.

He was instrumental in the passage of a country-wide initiative in 2006 to provide public funding to the arts and authored the city’s first live-work ordinance. He has championed the continued renaissance of downtown during his tenure, from the vibrant East Fourth Street neighborhood to the rapidly rising Avenue District neighborhood. Working with community stakeholders, he led the creation of a first-of-its-kind zoning designation for neighborhood gardens and has advocated for the availability of locally grown food.

Councilman Cimperman has worked diligently to create and invigorate over 30 block clubs, strengthen existing ones and to foster a sense of community. He is also a champion of neighborhood issues, sponsoring legislation for a variety of improvements, including sufficient parking for people with disabilities and safety measures along the waterfront.

He also led the charge on creating a zoning class for parks and green space in the city of Cleveland. Working with the OSU Extension, Botanical Gardens, and the Cuyahoga Community Land Trust, he was a steward in creating a zoning class for community gardens, the first and only one like it in the country. He was also instrumental in helping Downtown Cleveland receive the legislation and civic support it needed to implement the Blue & Gold Clean & Safe Program—with 50 people every day keeping our downtown Cleveland safe for over the 300,000 people who work, visit and live in our center city.

Born and raised in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, Councilman Cimperman’s family was active in the Slovenian community. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and earned a degree in English from John Carroll University where he was a Student Council President. Before being elected to City Council, Councilman Cimperman served as an outreach worker at the West Side Catholic Center, and was a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Bio coming soon

Regina's background as a post graduate in Library and Information Studies has afforded her career opportunities to work in a wide variety of areas including specialist libraries, law firms, historical societies, museums and a union.

Her career began in Ireland working for Age Action Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute. After relocating to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1995 she worked as a Paralegal for four years. In 2001 she joined the Western Reserve Historical Society as the Associate Curator of Irish American History. Later, she became the Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Commission. Both these positions involved library responsibilities, public relations, event co-ordination and planning, solicitation of members and funds, and general administration.

Currently she is with the Building Laborer's Union, Local # 310, affiliated with Laborers' International Union of North America , charged with setting up their archives, contributing editor of publications, managing the website, and fulfilling responsibilities surrounding the Apprenticeship Program and Continuing Education Program for its members.

Publications to date include First Directory of Services for Older People in Ireland, 1994, Age Action Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, contributing editor; Age Action Ireland Bulletin, 1994-1995, columnist and editor; Immigration News Newsletter 1997-1999, Margaret W. Wong & Associates, editor; Irish American Archives Society Newsletter, 2001 - , columnist; The News, Newsletter of the Western Reserve Historical Society, 2001 - contributor; Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland Newsletter 2006 - to date, contributing editor; written over 80 unpublished "Finding Aids" (guides) to the Irish American Collections at the Western Reserve Historical Society; Building Laborers' Local No.310 The Magazine of the Men and Women of Local 310, 2008 - to date, contributing editor.

She has presented numerous invited talks/lectures at public libraries, private organizations, and at various community events on a regular basis over the last several years.

Her media interviews include: William Miller, The Plain Dealer Newspaper; Gerry Quinn's Irish Hours, 1420AM; Regina Brett, The Plain Dealer Newspaper; Fox 8 News; John McGurk, California Legal Assistant Magazine; David C. Barnett, NPR "Accents" Morning Edition; WVIZ Applause; The Ohio Irish American News Newspaper.

She is an active member of several professional and civic bodies including Society of Ohio Archivists; Society of American Archivists; Irish American Archives Society; Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland; Irish American Charitable Foundation; West Side Irish American Club; Irish American Club, East Side, Inc.; Irish Heritage Center; Age Action Ireland (Dublin).

Regina enjoys participating in community and cultural events throughout the greater Cleveland area. She is married with two children and lives locally.

An active member of the Asian India Community, Asim has lived in Northeast Ohio for almost thirty years. He has been a member of the Executive Board of FICA (Federation of India Community Associations of NE Ohio) for several years.

He resides and runs a travel business in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, specializing in international travel. Asim has served on several sub-committees within the six district Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce.

His degrees and graduate level work are in Marketing and Management. He worked in Advertising and Marketing Communications in earlier life.

Asim is a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Services Center, and the Ad-hoc group engaged in the planning of an International Welcome Center in Cleveland. He is also a member of the planning committees of the First Cleveland Asian Festival and cultivates a keen interest in the performing arts.

Asim is passionate about connecting with people, issues of diversity, and multi-culturalism, and actively participates in community events.

For the past nine years, Cecilia Dolgan has served as the president of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum.

Cecilia, a native Clevelander, has been a booster of her Slovenian heritage since childhood. She dedicated her musical talents to teaching hundreds of children about Slovenian culture as director of the Slovenian Junior Chorus for 42 years.

Cecilia started the popular, annual Slovenian Sausage Festival, wrote a National Slovenian Directory of all US Slovenian organizations, publishing two Slovenian songbooks of folk music, ten record albums of her own and two with the Children's Choir and initiated the largest button accordion festival in the U.S.

Cecilia was honored as the Slovenian Woman of the Year 1975, inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Collinwood High School Hall of Fame in 2002.

José C. Feliciano is a partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP. Before that he served as a White House Fellow and was the Chief Prosecuting Attorney (1980 - 1984) for the City of Cleveland and an Adjunct Professor (1977 - 1984) at John Carroll University.

Mr. Feliciano has served on numerous Professional Boards including Board of Governors of the American Bar Association (2001-2004), House of Delegates of ABA (1998-Present), President of Cleveland Bar Association (2000-2001), Chair Section of Dispute Resolution of ABA (1996-97), and American Bar Association representative to National Conferences of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (drafting Uniform Mediation Act), ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary (2006-2007).

Current Civic Boards include John Carroll University (Vice Chairman); Hispanic Roundtable (Chairman), MWV Pinnacle Capital Fund Advisory Board; Commission on Economic Inclusion (Executive Committee).

Past Civic Boards include Greater Cleveland Partnership (Chamber of Commerce), St. John Hospital, Greater Cleveland Round Table, Ohio Motorist Association (AAA), United Way Services, Cleveland Ballet, The Cleveland Children's Museum, New Cleveland Campaign, Hispanic Community Forum, Spanish-American Committee, National Conferences of Christians and Jews, and WVIZ (Public Television).

Mr. Feliciano has received numerous Honors and Awards including American College of Trial Lawyers (1995); White House Fellow appointed by President Reagan in 1984; One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in America, U.S. Jaycees (1985); Earnest J. Bohn Public Administrator's Award, Public Administrator of the Year (1983); One of the Five Outstanding Young Men of Ohio, Ohio Jaycees (1983); Cleveland State University Distinguished Alumni Award in Law and Business (1990); Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, The Ohio Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs (1996); Alumnus of the Year, Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association (1998); American Nationalities Movement Civic Achievement Award (1999); Nueves Horizontes Newspaper Hispanic of the Year (2000); Federal Bar Association Boots Fisher Civic Achievement Award (2000); Hispanic Political Action Committee Civic Award (2000); and Cathedral Latin School Alumni of the Year (2001); ABA "Spirit of Excellence Award," given by Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (2005).

Margaret Frost was born in Cleveland and lived most of her life in the Lakewood/Rocky River area where she was active in many community activities. She is an award winning writer, published novelist, and columnist for the Barberton Herald. She is a Registered Nurse and former Realtor.

Margaret heads the Scottish American Society which meets primarily in the Akron area, though they have members located all over the world. She manages the web site for the society, located at: www.scottishamericansociety.org She is chairman of the American Clan Cumming Association, and is a Trustee on the board of the Ohio Scottish Games (Scottish America Cultural Society of Ohio).

Margaret founded the Great Lakes Chapter of the Clan Gregor Society, and sat on the board of the Clan Gregor Centre, a charitable institution, in Scotland. She was the only American afforded this honor and one of few Americans to sit on the board of any Scottish charity. She was president of the Clan Gregor Foundation in the United States.

For many years she worked at the clan shop in Balquhidder, Scotland, mostly in the summer months, helping to run the small museum and genealogy center located there. She also worked at a branch of that shop on St. Patrick’s Square while living in Edinburgh. She is a past president of the Canton Akron Scottish Heritage Association and held other offices in that organization as well.

Margaret is married to her childhood sweetheart, Jim Frost, who is also of Scottish ancestry. Together they have traveled, lived and worked in Scotland. They have many relatives over there and visit frequently. Both have studied Celtic and Scottish history extensively and give speeches throughout the area on these subjects. They have also given lectures and led tours in Scotland.

Ayla Gencer has been a member of TASNO (Turkish-American Society of Northeastern Ohio) for about the past 15 years serving as youth leader and folklore dance member. She is currently am the Vice-President of TASNO.

Ayla is Turkish American (Father Turkish, Mother American) and has lived in Cleveland for the past 25 years. Her father, Mehmet Gencer, is past president of TASNO and always made it a priority that Ayla and her siblings would be able to speak Turkish and be familiar with their culture and heritage.

Since she was a child, Ayla has been fortunate to make a trip to Turkey every year to visit family and friends and also spend time traveling the beautiful cities and seeing the sites that Turkey has to offer.

Ayla spent some time pursuing a Biochemistry/Biotechnology degree at Michigan State University after high school, and while there took part in CIUS (Coalition of Indian Undergrad Students). She also acted as the undergraduate liaison for incoming Turkish students.

She also spent time at Michigan State University and a buddy program that helped Asian TA students practice and further there English skills. In 2003 she transferred to Akron and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Psychology and International Business. At the University of Akron, Ayla partook in several student organizations and served as President of the International Business Association.

Ayla is currently residing in the greater Cleveland area and is the International Sales Coordinator for TELOS Systems, a local global company in the radio broadcast equipment industry.

Ayla is fluent in Turkish and conversational in French and Spanish.

Mary was born in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and spent her formative years in England, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and Canada. She graduated from a college of the University of London and taught English Literature at a high school in the London area.

Mary met her future husband at college and moved with him to Cleveland, where he pursued post-doctoral studies at Case-Western Reserve University. They have traveled extensively in Europe, Asia and Africa and have lived in Cleveland for forty years.

Education and volunteerism have been Mary's focus for these forty years. She has served as State President of the Daughters of the British Empire in Ohio, first delegate for the British Garden in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Ohio Board Member at the British Home in Chicago, and is the Founding President of Northern Ohio Opera League.

She is currently serving on three Boards: Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, Cleveland Branch of the English-Speaking Union, and Northern Ohio Opera League.

Rob Hawkins was born and raised in the Cleveland area (Cleveland Hts & Shaker Hts). After graduating from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Rob moved to Japan where he lived for 17 years. Rob worked for an AT&T subsidiary for 11 years and was President of his own company for 6 years. Rob currently works as a Project Manager for Hyland Software in Westlake.

Arisa was born in Tokyo, and graduated from Meiji Gakuin University. After working for several years as a Social Worker in the Setagaya Ward of Tokyo, she focused her energies on raising Rob and Arisa's three children, Elly, Ken and George. All three children were born in Tokyo, are dual citizens, and are completely bi-cultural.

Rob is on the Board of Directors for the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (http://www.janosakura.org) and is the leader of the web team for that organization. Arisa participates in the Japanese Women's Club in Cleveland. The make their home in Mayfield Heights.

David Jakupca is president of The Ohio German American Business Association, a non-governmental and non-profit organization founded by local business people in Cleveland, Ohio. Members are business men and women who are engaged in business with USA, particularly Ohio, and Germany, but also other countries.

The objective of GABA is to support commercial and personal relations between its members and to promote economic, iceality, social and cultural relations between the USA and Germany.

Born into Cleveland's ethnic community David and Renate Jakupca have together a total of over 110 years service. Since 2000 David and Renate Jakupca have been selected by Germany as American Cultural Ambassadors representing the interest of the US Network to EXPO2000 at the 2000 Worlds Fair held in Hanover, Germany.

They are now Senior Officers in the influential Ohio German American Business Association (OhioGABA) as well as delegates and board officers in many community organizations.

Renate Jakupca was born into Cleveland's ethnic community and with her husband David Jakupca have together a total of over 110 years service.

They are founders of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in Cleveland. ICEA is a 501c.3 charitable Cleveland cultural institution, founded in 1987 to meet the compelling needs of ordinary citizens for access to current, balanced, understandable information about complex global issues.

Since 2000 David and Renate Jakupca have been selected by Germany as American Cultural Ambassadors representing the interest of the US Network to EXPO2000 at the 2000 Worlds Fair held in Hanover, Germany.

They are now Senior Officers in the influential Ohio German American Business Association (OhioGABA) as well as delegates and board officers in many community organizations.

Anita Kazarian traveled to Armenia on September 1991 to help celebrate the vote for Armenia to peacefully secede from the former Soviet Union.

Since then she conceived and created Noah’s Landing, where the artisans of Armenia can find a global marketplace for their products.

Anita served as the Cultural Champion for Armenia for the 2004 International Children’s Games held in Cleveland. She raised the funds, organized Armenian community support, worked with Armenian officials to identify coaches and teams and succeeded in bringing Team Armenia to Cleveland and wining medals.

Anita also served on the Parish Council of St. Gregory of Narek Church in Richmond Heights.

Anita, a first generation American, was born and raised in New York City where many Armenians from the diaspora settled. Gatherings of Armenians usually meant hearing more than Armenian and English. It included French, Russian, Greek, Arabic, Turkish and Spanish. She attributes her love of travel to exotic places from her early years in NYC.

Anita Kazarian holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and headed Astoria Group, an industrial marketing consulting company. Prior to that Anita was the Sales and Marketing Manager for the US and Canada for Houmex, a selling chemicals for the rubber and plastics industries. She started in this field with Phillips Petroleum Company working with OE and replacement market manufacturers.

Previous to industrial marketing, Anita was a buyer and field manager for Cleveland based Cole National Corporation’s Things Remembered. Additionally, Anita has taught Global Marketing to MBA students at JCU.

Bio coming soon

Ken Kovach has served as Executive Director of the International Community Council (of Northeast Ohio) since March 2006. He has made 19 trips to Russia since the mid-1990s

As Principle of The Kenneth J. Kovach Company since 1976, Ken has done extensive executive and management coaching with a wide range of business, government, and not-for-profit clients; extensive international contract work in Russia and other nations of the former Soviet Union - including Poland and Ukraine.

From July 1973 through December 1975, Ken appeared weekly on WZAK-FM as host and moderator for "The Ethnic Voice of Cleveland" - a public affairs program of the radio station.

From June through October 1977, Ken worked on the filming of scenes in the Tremont area for the film, "The Deer Hunter"; appeared in the scenes of the Sacrament of Matrimony in St. Theodosius Cathedral, and directed the Russian folk dancing scenes in the former Lemko Hall.

Ken is the Founding President and Incorporator of the International Community Council of Northeast Ohio

He has earned numerous awards including international focused awards such as “International Service Award” for 2008 from the American Nationalities Movement – in recognition of outstanding work with and service to the international communities of northeast Ohio; presented on July 18, 2008.

“International Service Award” for 2006-2007 from the Rotary Club of Cleveland – in recognition of dedication and commitment to international service in the furtherance of world understanding and peace; presented on February 22, 2007.

"The Order of St. Innocent", The Orthodox Church in America, Cleveland, Ohio, 2001 - for 30 years of dedicated service as Choirmaster and Cantor of St. Theodosius Cathedral.

"Medal of Honor for Voluntary Service", Administration of the City of Volzhsky, Volzhsky, Russia, 1998 - Awarded for 10 years of dedicated service to the people of Volzhsky through the Sister Cities International Program. Cleveland and Volgograd, Russia are Sister Cities as are Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights are Sister Cities with Volzhsky, Russia.

Ken is President of the Greater Cleveland-Volgograd Oblast Alliance – the “official” Sister Cities organization

"Honorary Member", Don Cossacks, Volgograd, Russia, 1996 - Awarded for support of entrepreneurial development for Cossacks of the Volga River and Don River Region.

"Order of the Crest of the City of Volzhsky", Administration of the City of Volzhsky, Volzhsky, Russia, 1994 - Awarded for leadership to the Sister Cities Exchange Program of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, Ohio and Volzhsky, Russia.

"Ohio Volunteer of the Year", Governor of the State of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, 1986 - Awarded for knowledge, skills, and service to the voluntary sector, and many more.

He even is a singer with the Greater Cleveland Russian Chorus.

Jaime Lebrón of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Individual Sales, proudly serves Seniors and the greater community in Cleveland and Northern Ohio with over 15 years of health insurance experience.

Mr. Lebrón joined Anthem more than ten years ago, and has earned top honors in several industry performance categories. From 2001 thru 2003 he earned the title, Top Medicare Representative for his outstanding performance from among Ohio's most successful captive agents and has established a successful sales track record within Anthem. Mr. Lebrón also held a leadership role as Regional Sales Manager from May 2004 thru January 2009.

Today, Jaime is back in the field assisting the general public with new Individual Anthem products. This position allows him to interact with a variety of people from all walks of life, helping to identify and resolve various healthcare issues and situations that arise. Working in the public enhances his awareness of community needs as well as partake in social events fostering relationships with community organizations that will work with Anthem to promote healthcare education.

Mr. Lebrón holds licenses from the Ohio Department of Insurance as an agent for both Health Maintenance Organization and Life & Health, Variable Annuities. He is also licensed in Indiana and is a Chartered Benefit Consultant. Jaime is a northern Ohio native and a graduate of Lincoln-West High School and Ohio University, BS in Communications, and is also bilingual in Spanish. He currently resides in Columbia Station, Ohio, with his wife, Rhonda and their two children.

Among his many awards are Anthem Midwest Diversity Council, Anthem Leaders Roundtable, Inside Business Magazine, Featured, One-to-Watch Profile, and Kaleidoscope Business Magazine, Inductee, Hispanic Leaders, Forty-Forty Club, 2003

Alex Machaskee is the retired Publisher, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper. In that capacity, he was responsible for the overall policy, operation and direction of the newspaper.

Mr. Machaskee has been presented with numerous awards throughout his career because of his commitment and leadership in the greater Cleveland community. He was honored by the Urban League of Cleveland, the World Trade Center Cleveland, Inside Business magazine, the Cleveland Browns, the International Services Center and by the Associated Press. He was inducted into the Northeast Ohio Business Hall of Fame in 2001 and inducted into the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame by the Press Club of Cleveland in 2006.

In 1999, Mr. Machaskee was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition Organization, one of the highest national awards in America.

Mr. Machaskee is on the executive committee of the Musical Arts Association of the Cleveland Orchestra, Chairman of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs and Chairman of International Orthodox Christian Charities. He is a Board Member of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County, University Circle Inc., St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, Orthodox Christian Network and the Advisory Board of the Cleveland Opera.

Mr. Machaskee is a member of the Cleveland Consular Corps as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia.

Currently, Mr. Machaskee is President of Alex Machaskee and Associates, which offer services for international relations, public relations, media relations, marketing, executive coaching and event promotion.

Joyce Mariani has a deep love for the culture of Italy handed down from her family which is of Florentine origin.

Upon her return to Cleveland from Italy where she studied and worked, she founded the Cleveland Italian Film Festival in 2006, as a cultural endeavor reflecting Italy's culture. It became the first independent film festival in Northeast Ohio to showcase Italian Oscar winning films drawing audience from all over Northeast Ohio and surrounding states.

In 2007 she formed the Italian Cultural Garden Foundation spearheading a $750,000 Renaissance Restoration Project for Cleveland's monument to Italy, the Italian Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park and serves as its executive director.

In 2008 she founded Viva! La Cultura Italiana cultural series which presents music, dance and exhibits reflecting Italy's cultural contributions. Opera in the Italian Garden� was brought back after a sixty-five year absence.

She was presented the Italian Heritage Award in 2008 by Mayor Frank Jackson at Cleveland City Hall for her re-education of the public about the historical importance of the Italian Cultural Garden as a cultural monument to Italy and as founder of the Cleveland Italian Film Festival.�

She has appeared with the National Orchestra of Italy and throughout Italy and Europe and has a home in Rome where she has family.

She serves on the Executive Board of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and is currently writing a book with newly discovered historical information about the Italian Cultural Garden and contributing to a film documentary of Cleveland Italian-American artists.

An asset to the Jackson Administration, Ms. Valarie J. McCall was named Chief of Government Affairs by Mayor Frank Jackson. In this position, Ms. McCall serves as the Administration's primary liaison to the state government, and all federal entities, as well as monitoring the Jackson Administration's appointments to internal and external boards and commissions. Ms. McCall is the Mayor's primary representative to several national organizations, including, but not limited to: the United States Conference of Mayors; National Conference of Black Mayors; National League of Cities and the National Black Caucus of Local and Elected Officials, to name a few. She is also charged with assisting Mayor Jackson with the implementation of his policy initiatives designed to promote regional growth and cooperation, both nationally and internationally.

In addition to her civic duties, Ms. McCall shares her energy with her community by serving on the boards of Look Up To Cleveland; Opera Cleveland; The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; The Greater Cleveland Visitors & Convention Bureau; The Downtown Cleveland Improvement District, The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and PolicyBridge, a local think tank, Cleveland Council on World Affairs Board of Trustees and UCIP-ASAP.

In addition to the above boards, Ms. McCall serves as the Mayor's representative to the Ohio Municipal League's Board; Board of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency; Cuyahoga County Mayor's and Managers Association and the Northeast Ohio Mayors & Managers Association. Most recently, Ms. McCall was appointed to the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Visiting Committee and she serves on the Government Affairs Committees of the United Way of Cleveland and Centers for Families and Children.

Her accomplished leadership allowed Ms. McCall to travel to Japan with the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Ms. McCall attended several briefings on US/Japan relations over the last 150 years, the state of Japan's politics, diplomacy and economy and met top ranking officials from Japan's three political parties, the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito Party. Informal gatherings with Japan's leaders allowed Ms. McCall to discuss international politics and local policies in a way that personalized these relations. The experience expanded Ms. McCall's knowledge of international relations and allowed her to compare the policies, strategies and day-to-day operations of Japanese and American local governments. Ms. McCall, most recently traveled to China, where she was a panel member at the United Nations International Development Organization's Conference on Urban Agglomerations, which took place in Nanning, China and included a tour and meetings with high level officials in both Shanghi and Beijing.

In 2003, Ms. McCall became an American Marshall Fellow of the German Marshall Fund, which fosters transatlantic partnerships to build international relations. Ms. McCall traveled to the Europe with the German Marshall Fund in the spring of 2003 in order to visit the headquarters of the European Union and NATO in Brussels, to examine European institutions, and to study trans-Atlantic economic, political and social issues. Ms. McCall met with European Union leaders in Prague, Czech, Hamburg and Berlin, Germany, Athens, Greece and other important European cities. Ms. McCall gained knowledge of Europe's regional social and economic issues through this experience, which she has been able to incorporate into the ways she assists Clevelanders in achieving their goals.

Bio coming soon

Born and raised in Italy, Marco Nobili is a graduate of the University of Venice and University of Trieste.

He entered the diplomatic career in 1999 and pursued his diplomatic training while assigned at the General Directorate for European Affairs of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2001 he was posted at the Italian Embassy in Khartoum (Sudan) as Second Secretary for Economic Affairs.

In June 2003 he officially assumed the head of the Consulate of Italy in Spalato as Consul.

In 2007 he was assigned at the General Directorate for Asia, Oceania, Pacific and Antarctica of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In December 2008 he officially assumed the head of the Consulate of Italy in Detroit as Consul.

State Senator Thomas F. Patton has been a Senate member since 2008. Before that he was an Ohio State Representative.

He serves on the Energy and Public Utilities; Finance and Financial Institutions; Highways and Transportation (Chair); and Ways and Means and Economic Development Committees.

Senator Patton is President of Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 756; Delegate to the AFL-CIO; Knights of Columbus; Cleveland Police Historical Society; Holy Name Endowment Board Trustee; Finance Chairman, St. Colman's Church.

He was awarded with the Hattie Larlham Rudolph H. Garfield Circle of Caring; Honoree, Welcome House Legislative Leadership Award (2004)

A 30 year Cleveland City Council veteran, Councilman Michael D. Polensek has had the honor to serve nine terms as Ward 11's representative and is the "Dean" of Cleveland City Council. He has represented Cleveland's Ward 11 since January 1982 and prior to that represented Cleveland's 26th Ward from January 1978 to January 1982.

Councilman Polensek has a consistent record of progressive civic leadership and is instrumental in development of the Ward 11 community. He served as President of City Council from 1999 to 2002. In that position, he worked diligently for his community as well as to create a legislative body that provided strong leadership for all of Cleveland's neighborhoods. Through his leadership, Council created the Neighborhood Equity Fund, which targeted $21 million in funds for neighborhood development projects.

Councilman Michael D. Polensek is active with many ethnic and cultural organizations within the Cleveland area. He is proud of his Slovenian heritage and was grateful to have been honored as the National Slovenian Homes "Man of the Year".

In addition, he marches every year in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland, and is recognized yearly for his support for the Baltic American Committee of Greater Cleveland and the Lithuanian community.

He is also working with colleague Councilwoman Dona Brady with the International Community Council. He has also been honored with the "Distinguished Leaders" award by the Cleveland branch of the NAACP.

August Pust was born in Slovenia, and came to the United States via New York Harbor as young student-visitor over fifty years ago. August built a distinguished career not only in his profession as an artist and graphic designer but also in 30 years of U.S. public service.

Appointed by President George W. Bush, Mr. Pust served as a Member of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad from 2001 - 2006. Prior to this appointment, he was the Director of Multicultural Affairs & International Relations in the Governor's Office, State of Ohio (1991-retired in 2002) and he served as Executive Assistant to Cleveland Mayors George Voinovich and Michael White for Ethnic Affairs/International Relations. During his tenure he has set the standards for cities and states on those programs.

Dr. Pust is the recipient of many citations and awards in recognition of his work. Included among the honors is the "Citizen Diplomat" award from the National Organization of International Visitors Council, Inc., the "Honorary Order of the Freedom Medal" from the President of the Republic of Slovenia, the "Ohio Distinguished Service Medal" and the prestigious "Freedom Medal" awarded by the American Nationalities Movement.

He was named 'The Slovenian Man of the Year 2008.' Mr. Pust is also a recipient of the "Living the Legacy" award given in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his commitment to racial and cultural diversity and to Universal Human Rights.

Dr. Pust served as Commissioner and a member of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. He was a founding member and first Chairman of the Greater Cleveland Ethnographic Museum. He has volunteered and continues to volunteers on many boards including the International Visitors Council, the American Nationalities Movement, the International Services Center, the United Nations Association of Ohio, and the 2004 Cleveland International Children's games.

Dr. Pust is the 2008 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Gerald M. Quinn, an award winning broadcaster and community leader born in Garracloon, County Mayo (pop. 44) and now living in Euclid, has played a decisive part in keeping Cleveland area Irish in touch with their heritage. He conceived and chaired the efforts that led to the founding of Cleveland's Irish American Club - East Side in 1978 and the Mayo Society in 2004.

His weekly show, Gerry Quinn Irish Radio (WHK 1420), 27 years on the air, has received the Achievement in Radio Award (A.I.R) and was named Best Ethnic Program in Northeast Ohio.

It was as a project manager for a Philadelphia construction and engineering company that Gerry traveled to Dublin in 1979 to manage construction of a pharmaceutical plant. This subsequently led to a long phone conversation about Ireland with his friend Leo D'Arcy, that was taped for a radio station D'Arcy managed in Willoughby. He signed Gerry on the spot, launching the lad from Garracloon on his own 3 decades long career as a broadcaster.

Erika Kikut Puussaar was born in Vandra Estonia in 1941. We escaped Estonia when the Russian Army invaded our homeland. The Kikut family of seven survived in German Displaced People camps for seven years.

We immigrated to the United States of America in 1951. Our original sponsor was a Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. We soon moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where my father, Artur Kikut, found employment as a mechanic. All the Kikuts attended an Estonian Church in Detroit. All four children were confirmed in the Estonian church.

Erika graduated from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor in 1961, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University and then a Master of Education from The Cleveland State University. Erika then spent thirty successful years as an elementary teacher in Wickliffe, Ohio.

After graduation from Northern Michigan University, Erika married Aavo Puussaar, another Estonian. Aavo introduced Erika to the Cleveland Estonian community.

Thus, she became involved with the Estonian Lutheran Church of Cleveland, Arendaja (a social group) and now serving as president of the Estonian Cultural Garden.

She is also on the Executive Board of The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and School Board, Our Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran School, Painesville, Ohio.

Alin Rosca, born in Bucharest, is Romania's Honorary Consul in Ohio. He is a securities lawyer who has practiced both in Romania and the United States, and an active member of the Romanian community in Ohio.

He received his Juris Doctor degree summa cum laude from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, and holds an MBA degree in international business from Baldwin-Wallace College and a law degree from the University of Bucharest School of Law.

After joining the Bar of Bucharest and establishing a practice in corporate, securities, and real estate law in Bucharest, Romania, he moved to the United States to further his education. He later worked in the securities industry in Cleveland and then joined a media organization, where he became international business manager and successfully developed an international monthly publication.

While in law school, he became a managing editor of the Cleveland State Law Review and won the "Best Oralist" award for the Pacific Coast section of the Jessup International Moot Court Competition.

He joined the securities law firm of Chapman & Associates, LLC during law school and became an associate upon graduation. He is licensed to practice law in the Ohio state courts, and is a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Fatina Salaheddine is the founder and young Publisher of the Al-Sahafa Newspaper; America's monthly Middle Eastern Newspaper.

Fatina Salaheddine has been very instrumental in educating and in bridging the wide gap of communication between the Eastern & Western world, by serving as Publisher & Chief Executive Officer of Al-Sahafa. Since its inception in 2001, the publication has respectively grown from a statewide to a nationally distributed and currently internationally recognized newspaper, (with print and online availability).

Salaheddine started her career at the age of 19, as the Marketing Director for the National Arab American Business Association (NAABA) where she coordinated fundraising activities, receptions, executed marketing strategies for membership framework, and worked with various grass root, and governmental organizations as well as the media in order to implement a successful local and national outreach initiative. Thus, was Fatina's entrance in what is part of her current extraordinary Networking List of politicians and business professionals. (This is all while still completing her International Business & Marketing Degree at the University of Akron).

A significant and quintessential period in Salaheddine's career began when she was signed-on at the world-re-known Cleveland Clinic Foundation as their Guest Relations Manager at the age of 21. Her Middle Eastern cultural awareness, combined with her intelligence, dedication and persona led her to become the Clinic's Guest Relations Manager for the incoming World Leaders, Ambassadors, Diplomats, Prime Ministers, Heads of State, World Royalty, Supreme Court Judges, and wealthy international V.I.P patients (just to name a few examples) who chose the Cleveland Clinic as their medical facility of choice.

As the Guest Relations Manager, Fatina's primary role was to be the mediator and facilitator for the VIP guests' stay at the Cleveland Clinic. From the moment the private planes and jets landed at Burke Lake Front Airport, to the time of departure from the Clinic's Campus and Hotel systems, Fatina's responsibility was to ensure maximum comfort and genuine hospitality to all the Clinic's VIP guests. Guaranteeing requested amenities, services, and conveniences, (which sometimes included specific flower and chocolate arrangements be sent to guest rooms and acquaintances, luxury car transportation provided, keeping private chefs satisfied with meal specifications, finding and ordering lavish clothes and jewelry items from high-end boutiques for guests, supplying temporary cell phone use, and ensuring a "culturally aware" environment was a typical day's work for Fatina at the Cleveland Clinic. Her exotic grace, striking beauty and disarming charm helped Salaheddine put the many VIP guests at ease and at home, during their stay. Thus, was Fatina's continuance in what is currently her endless and truly impressive Networking List of high profile influential world leaders, royal family members, and affluent international power brokers.

Salaheddine describes herself as hard working and an extremely determined individual- even in the face of all odds. From meeting with the Middle Eastern VIP's at the Cleveland Clinic, she identified the need to better inform her American counter-parts about the vast Arabian culture, and the concerns of the present political issues between the Middle East and the Western World. Her initial idea was to start a community Middle Eastern newsletter (one that could also be given to members of Cleveland Clinic's VIP guests and their large entourages for informational purposes), however after deep consideration and the support of the Middle Eastern community in Ohio; she decided to launch her second corporation; the Al-Sahafa Newspaper, which means the Press or the Media in Arabic. (Her first corporation being a well established event-coordinating business since 1997 called; Nonabel Entertainment Inc., which has successfully promoted a considerable number of Middle Eastern concerts and planned huge ethnic weddings in Northeast Ohio).

Coincidentally, the launch of Al-Sahafa was in the summer before September 11th 2001 arrived - bringing the Arabs, the Middle East, the religion of Islam and Arab Americans to the forefront and controversy of the news and media. Through the Al-Sahafa publication, Salaheddine was determined to initiate and open dialogue to help bridge the gap of tolerance and acceptance each month, by providing news - with the "Arab" viewpoint. Reminding readers, that "there is always the other side to every story told".

Professionally, Salaheddine conducts business in the "All-American" style, while living her personal life with a deep sense of culture and Lebanese tradition, passed down generously by her Lebanese parents, (who immigrated from Beirut at the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War). Having been invited to speak at important annual Conferences in Washington DC and around the world, by the governments of respected countries in Europe and the Middle East (including Paris- France, London - United Kingdom, Beirut - Lebanon, Doha - Qatar, Jeddah - Saudi Arabia, Dubai - United Arab Emirates), has enriched Salaheddine's experience and has added to the capital of information and inside news and views to readers of her monthly publication; Al-Sahafa.

It is in gratitude that should be noted; Salaheddine was given honorable mentions and feature interviews in several of the most prestigious Lebanese and Middle Eastern Magazines, published and distributed throughout the entire Middle East such as; Forbes Middle East, the Hasnaa Magazine (Lebanese Magazine), Women in Business (Middle East Magazine published in the Kingdom of Bahrain), Hia Magazine (the Middle East version of "Elle Magazine", published in the United Arab Emirates). As well as featured and covered in mainstream International Media distributed throughout Europe and the Middle East including; La Stampa (Italian Newspaper), Le Figaro (French Newspaper), and Sharq Magazine (London's Arab Lifestyle Magazine). In 2007, the International Arabic Radio & Television Channel (ART International) featured an interview with Salaheddine on a popular show named; Min America (translates to "From America"), which broadcasts to millions of viewers across the world. Impressively, Salaheddine's interview captured the highest rated episode, since the show's inception.

She has been written about time and again in a plethora of Ohio media for her outstanding community relations, civic involvement and contributions to a wide variety of organizations and ethnic communities such as; The Cleveland Magazine, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Sun Newspaper, The Cleveland Jewish News, Crain's Business Magazine, Fairlawn Magazine, Ohio's Inside Business Magazine, and the "Cover Girl" for Northern Ohio Live Magazine's March 2005 issue as a "Media Mogul".

She was also a face in the 2004 Extraordinary Women of Cleveland Premier Calendar released by the prestigious Women's Community Foundation. This was in recognition of the philanthropic efforts, strength and perseverance of women of all ages, races and nationalities.

A Rome, Italy, native, Serena Scaiola is a graduate of the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" with a doctoral degree in Italian literature. In 1991-1992, she also completed a course of studies at Cornell University, NY.

In September 2006, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed her Hon. Vice Consul of Italy in Cleveland, in which capacity she works closely with the Consul of Italy in Detroit.

In addition to representing the Italian authorities in Ohio and being of assistance to Italian authorities visiting this State, her official duties also encompass organizing and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting the diffusion of business, language and cultural opportunities as well as also providing direct assistance to the large local Italian and Italian American community. Her office is located in downtown Cleveland.

While still living in Rome she worked for RAI-TV, the main national TV station, writing screenplays and case stories for various nationally broadcast programs.

Upon moving to the United States in late 1995, she began teaching Italian language at Kent State University, where she worked until 1999. Between 2000 and 2001 she also taught in the same capacity at Cuyahoga Community College.

In August of 1996, she joined the Italian section at John Carroll University and in 2005 became a full-time faculty member in her capacity as Visiting Professor of Italian and Lower Division Coordinator. She taught language classes as well as literature courses and coordinated a program with over 260 students.

In January of 2009, she was hired by Cuyahoga Community College as Adjunct Faculty Member and Coordinator of the Italian Language, Literature & Culture Program.

Over the years, alongside teaching she also provided translations as well as interpreting services in fields raging from legal documents and technical manuals to business meetings. In March 2000, she became the official Italian language translator for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, a position she held until 2006.

Mercedes Karpinski Spotts has exemplified a life dedicated to the American way of hard work, self improvement, and community service. A native of Cleveland, Mercedes was the second daughter born to John and Helen Karpinski.

She attended night school classes for ten years while raising two sons. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Notre Dame College of Ohio, a Master Degree in Public Administration at Cleveland State University, and a Law Degree at Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She also earned a Fellowship at the Institute of Court Management of Denver, Colorado. Notre Dame College of Ohio bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree upon her and invited her to give the commencement address in 1997. In addition, Mercedes received The Dean's Alumni Of The Year Award from Cleveland State University, College of Urban Affairs.

Mercedes completed her undergraduate and professional studies while working full time as the Director of Central Scheduling at Cleveland Municipal Court. After twenty-two years at the court she was appointed to the position of Court Administrator for the Eighth District Court of Appeals, the largest appellate court in the State of Ohio. After serving there for ten years she is now retired.

Greatly involved in community service, Mercedes was one of the founders and the first President of the Board of Trustees for the East Side Catholic Shelter for battered and homeless women. She also was one of the founders and the first President of the Board of Trustees for Mental Health Services, a case management agency that serves the homeless with severe mental problems. Both agencies have expanded and continue to perform vital services in the community.

Mercedes was elected State President of the Polish Women's Alliance, a fraternal organization dedicated to preserve and promote the high ideals of Polish America. For her civic and personal accomplishments the Polonia Foundation awarded her the Grand Lady of Pulaski Medal.

When elected President of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, she began a Custody Mediation Program in Juvenile Court, a program that received special recognition by the American Bar Association, and Mercedes received the Public Service Award from the ABA. She also initiated and edited a legal newspaper for children. In 1997, this newspaper was recognized at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association in San Francisco where the National Association of Bar Executives presented Mercedes with the Public Service Achievement Award.

Mercedes has twice received the President's Award from the CCBA and was the first recipient of the Day Weiner Award for outstanding public service. Recognizing her many dedicated years in the judicial system, the Bar also honored her with its Public Servants Award.

Mercedes served four years as President of the International Services Center, which welcomes refugees arriving in Cleveland and then assists them with housing, clothing, food and employment. She served on the Pastoral Council of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and also is a member of the African Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Cleveland.

In New York City Mercedes received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award. This medal is presented to outstanding American citizens who are recognized for their significant contributions to the country and have distinguished themselves through their personal and professional endeavors.

Mercedes is the mother of two sons. David is a maritime attorney, a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and of Cleveland Marshall College of Law. John, a Cleveland State University graduate, is a Housing Specialist in the Development Department of Cuyahoga County. She is also blessed with a grandson, David, who attends DePauw University.

Mercedes has had a remarkable career of legal, civic, church, and ethnic services. She has followed the pattern of service her mother, Helen, began and her sisters continued to practice.

Mercedes has been profiled by Debbie Hanson at www.clevelandseniors.com. Ms.Hanson states: "The story of Mercedes Spotts is one of accomplishment and achievement. But it is also one of compassion, kindness and good will."

Bio coming soon

See profile of Ben Stefanski

For the past four years, Alex Strmac has served as Senior Administrative Assistant for the law firm of Margaret Wong and Associates. He performs various duties including customer relations, managing clients' cases, and operating the Columbus office on behalf of the firm.

A native Clevelander, Alex has served in the Serbian community and is a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Broadview Heights, Ohio. He also volunteers for various events and donates to the Serbian community on a regular basis for various charities and organizations including the Serbian Cultural Garden at Rockefeller Park which was opened and dedicated in October, 2008.

Alex graduated from Cleveland State University in 2003 with honors. He earned two Bachelor's Degrees; one in Political Science and one in International Business. He is also a member of the Business Professionals of America since 1999.

Since childhood, Laurel often found herself explaining her nationality. Simply stated, a nation of people without a country. Obviously, she developed a deep passion for her Eastern European cultural roots early on; while retaining the desire to share the "heart" of Eastern Europe with those who surround her.

Having a strong connection to her Carpatho-Rusyn heritage on her maternal side, Laurel (Orris) Tombazzi provides unending occasions to educate people and organizations, illustrating in countless ways, what a Carpatho-Rusyn* truly is.

Professionally, Laurel held various executive assistant positions with numerous Cleveland based companies, after college graduation. She also led the Holy Family Catholic Home schoolers group, retaining 75+ families in the Northern Ohio area. She also served as their Activities Director. Currently, Laurel is a High School Teacher and Principal of St. Nicholas School.

Laurel's past positions have endowed her with fine leadership qualities. While co-founder of the Northcoast Executive Woman's Network, she promptly grew the membership, retaining over two hundred and fifty business women. She also served as Vice President of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society (Cleveland Chapter).

Laurel is happily married to Frank Tombazzi, co-owner of Tomco Metal Fabricating, Inc., located in Cleveland, OH. They have two children, Joseph and Anna. At present, her entire family enjoys being active members of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs and the Carpatho-Rusyn Society. Laurel also volunteers at Regina Health Center in Richfield, OH.

The nurturing of Laurel artistic abilities began with ballet training. Throughout the 80's, she studied and performed as a dancer for the Carpatho-Rusyn dance ensemble, known as "Kruzhok" located in Cleveland, OH. Laurel served as dancer and Director's Assistant for the St. Nicholas Russian Youth Dancers, in Mogadore, OH, from 2000 to 2003. She further demonstrated her musical and organizational talents by her active involvement in the Parma Eparchial Diocesan Choir; whereas she served as the choir's Social Chairman. Currently, Laurel is a member of the St. Nicholas Church Choir located in Barberton, OH.

In 2006, Laurel revealed her creation of the Carpatho-Rusyn folk ensemble, well known as the "Karpato-Rus' Ensemble" (KRE). This fine performing ensemble embodies the folk arts of the Carpatho-Rusyn people thru song, dance and skits. As Director, Laurel has composed, interpreted (Rusyn to English), and taught, students of diverse culture. Her selfless guidance has produced the learned skill sets in the KRE members. This has magnified the uniqueness and vibrant nature of the Carpatho-Rusyn culture, through the fine arts.

Laurel's affectionate enthusiasm for her Carpatho Rusyn heritage remains contagious. She will continue to thrive, with use of her physical energy and vast knowledge of the Rusyn culture.

*Carpatho-Rusyns have also been referred to as Rusnak, Ruthenian, Carpatho-Russian, Carpatho-Ukrainian and Uhro-Rusyn

Sonja Franz Unger was born in Zagreb, Croatia. She studied in Cannes, France until the war when she returned to the University of Zagreb. She holds degrees in both architecture and engineering.

After the war she was married and came to the United States. In addition to English, she is fluent in German, French, Italian, Croatian, Russian, Latin, Old Slavanic and Spanish. She came to Cleveland in 1953 and instantly became involved in the Nationality Services Center. She was a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Juvenile Court often interpreting for the judges.

She was President of Il Cenacolo Italiano, an Italian Club and Vice-President of the American Croatian Club. In addition she was active in the Conference Francaise, Women's Committee of the Cleveland Institute of Music, Women's Committee of the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committee, and the Cleveland International Program.

She is the recipient of the Golden Door Award from the Nationalities Services Center, the first woman to receive the award. The Golden Door Award is conferred from time to time on honored Americans of foreign birth who have made outstanding contributions to their adopted country. Sonja wasn't active only in the Croatian community, she was involved in other things like music and art. trying to broaden the Croatian community.

Sonja and her husband Paul developed The Unger Croatia Center at Cleveland State University. Together they have been inducted into the "Who's Who in the World", as well as elected to the Hall of Fame for the Cleveland City Club. Sonja and her husband have created an endowment at Cleveland's City Club, The International Forum.

They are personally responsible for bring more than twenty Croatian high-level administrators to the Kennedy School at Harvard and nearly as many local government officials to the Urban Center at Cleveland State. Paul Unger died January, 2009. Together they had three children, Alan, Gerald and Tamara.

In more than 25 years of practice, Margaret Wong has built Margaret W. Wong & Associates Co., L.P.A. into a firm nationally and internationally renowned for its knowledge in immigration and nationality law. She is the current co-chair of the Immigration Law Committee for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and chair of the Cleveland Bar Association's Immigration Law Section.

Ms. Wong has received the highest rating, AV, from Martindale-Hubbell, based on both legal ability and general-ethics standards. Her peers have named her a "Leading Lawyer," an exclusive list that has been published in Inside Business Magazine since 2001. She is listed as a 2004 "Super Lawyer" in Cincinnati Magazine, a distinction reserved for the top 5% of lawyers. She has also been listed as one of the "Best Lawyers in America."

Because of her personal experience as an immigrant, Margaret Wong combines qualities Americans admire: an immigrant's work ethic, an entrepreneur's drive, a keen sense of resourcefulness, and the utmost compassion for those in need. In 1950, Margaret Wong was born in the former British Colony of Hong Kong. Months earlier, her Chinese parents fled the political repression and civil war caused by the Communist takeover of China.

Based on her own experience of obtaining a green card and U.S. citizenship under U.S. immigration law, Margaret Wong recognized that companies and individuals need sound guidance in this highly regulated, seemingly arcane, and sometimes frustrating regulatory area. She founded Margaret W. Wong & Associates with one desk and no secretary. Her practice now includes six attorneys and 35 other staff members.

Her clients come from every country around the world, from every walk of life, and range from governmental and corporate to ordinary people. The law firm's talented team handles every kind of immigration problem; its staff is multilingual, with proficiency in languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Tagalog, Russian, Spanish, French, German and Japanese.

Among her numerous professional and philanthrophic awards, Margaret Wong also received the highly coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May 1998 for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the multicultural fabric of the United States.

Margaret Wong is a civic leader who educates and inspires others. While she was serving as the first Asian-American president of the Cleveland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Cleveland chapter won the coveted Chapter Activity Award. The Ohio Supreme Court appointed her a charter member of the Continuing Legal Education Commission for attorneys, where she is currently serving as a member of its Racial Task Force.

Committed to giving something back to the community and to mentoring young professionals, Ms. Wong has volunteered her time and expertise on boards of numerous and diverse organizations. Ms. Wong is also a life member of both the Eighth Judicial District Court and the Federal Sixth Circuit Court.

Johnny K. Wu, a known martial artists and member of numerous hall of fame, is currently on his 7th years (4th term) as the president of the OCA Cleveland Chapter.

OCA is a non-profit civil right organization with 84 chapters and affiliates in the USA and is dedicated to promoting cultural heritage, active participation in civic and community affairs, securing justice, and equal treatment and equal opportunity for all Americans of Asian/Pacific Islander descent.

Johnny is also very much involved in the art community; he is an award winning filmmaker with many films under his belt and also the founder of Cleveland IndieClub which helped creating an independent filmmaking community within the city.

His feature film The Rapture was distributed internationally and his latest films includes a short comedy zombie film Jean Claude the Gumming Zombie, a sniper suspense short Redtail Run. He is currently producing an outreach project for OCA Cleveland called OCA Image TV which to showcase Asian Pacific Americans within the Northeast Ohio through television and internet.

He is also organizing the 2010 Cleveland Asian Festival, the first street festival in Cleveland on May 22, 2010 to promote ethnic diversity and celebrating the Asian Heritage Month.

State Rep. Kenneth "Kenny" Yuko (D-7th District) proudly represents the communities of Euclid, South Euclid, Richmond Heights, and Collinwood (Cleveland).

Rep. Yuko grew up in Euclid and graduated from Brush High School in the South Euclid/Lyndhurst School District in 1968. He then attended both Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University before entering the workforce.

Rep. Yuko began his career as a clothing buyer for Polsky's Department Store, but he soon found his true passion with union organizing. Rep. Yuko served with the Laborers' Local #860 for 30 years, including 25 years as union organizer. He retired from that service in 2004. During his long career, he received multiple awards for his efforts, including the "2000 Organizing Award" from his International Union.

As a former leader in the labor movement and now as State Representative, Rep. Yuko is committed to improving the quality of life for Ohio's working families. Rep. Yuko has established himself as a strong advocate for increased health care access and Multiple Sclerosis awareness since voters first elected him in 2004.

In March of 2006, he introduced and achieved passage of House Bill 379, which designated March as MS Awareness Month in the State of Ohio. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Bob Taft. In recognition of this and other efforts, Rep. Yuko was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Ohio Health Advocacy Network in 2006.

Rep. Yuko is now Chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, and he also serves on the Faith Based Initiatives, Health, Local Government/Public Administration and Transportation committees. In addition to his regular legislative duties, Rep. Yuko serves on the Unemployment Compensation Advisory Committee, and the Labor Management Government Advisory Council. He is also an active member of the Cancer, and Housing caucuses, as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Task Force.

Rep. Yuko has been a big supporter of the Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Zvone Zigon and his programs to maintain and encourage cultural pride in the Slovenian Community.

Some of these projects include creating a Slovenian Studies program at Cleveland State University and the establishment of a Slovenian Cultural Museum. He has also initiated correspondence with Deputy Speaker of Bulgaria Nadezhda Mihaylova to establish a relationship between Sofia, Bulgaria and the city of Cleveland. He hopes that this relationship will blossom into an exchange of commerce and education between the two communities.

Rep. Yuko resides in Richmond Heights with his wife, Pamela. They have two children, Angela and Rocky.

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Do you need a Hungarian Flag? A shirt that says "I love Slovenian girls"? How about a sign that says No Parking except for Irish Grandmother?

These and hundreds of other items for your particular ethnic group are available for browsing at our on-line store. It's safe, fast, easy and fun. And there is a wide selection you will never find in the stores!

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