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International Soap Box Derby Board of Directors Elects New Officers and Adds New Members for 2017-2018

The International Soap Box Derby’s Board of Directors added new members and elected new officers at its annual meeting November 16.The Board serves as the governing body of the ISBD and provides management and direction for the non-profit organization.

Kevin Thomas, Vice President at AAA Akron Auto Club, will be stepping down as Chair but will remain as a member. Thomas has been a member of the Derby’s Board since 2012, and Chair since 2015. Gregg Mervis, President & CEO, Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau and John S. Knight Center, will serve as the new Chair; Mark Mroczynski, Executive Director, Transmission Reliability Enhancement Projects, FirstEnergy, will become Vice Chair; Alan Brubaker, Summit County Engineer will remain as Treasurer; and, Danyelle Sweitzer, Human Resource Director for GPD Group, will become Secretary.

Kevin Griffin, Strongsville, Ohio, Robert Knapp, Akron, Ohio and Guy Pipitone, Akron, Ohio are new additions to the Board. Griffin is the current VP of Marketing Strategy and Public Relations for The Adcom Group. Knapp is the retired Senior Vice President of Strategic Integration for Signet Jewelers. Pipitone is the retired Senior Vice President of FirstEnergy Corp.

Pat Roberts, Jason Dodson and Scott Lazarus will be leaving the Board. Longtime Derby volunteer Bobby Nickoli was added as Honorary Board member.

On behalf of the entire Derby team, I'd like to express our thanks and appreciation to our outgoing Board Chair, Kevin Thomas" states Gregg Mervis. "The impact of his leadership will resonant for years to come, having contributed invaluable insights and expertise. I'm delighted that Kevin will remain engaged with the Derby and we will continue to benefit from his support. Intentionally selected for their unique passion and advocacy, the Derby is pleased to welcome Guy Pipitone, Kevin Griffin and Robert Knapp as the newest members of the Board. Their willingness to volunteer time and guidance is a testament to the power of collaboration and underscores the entire Board's commitment to successfully executing our mission."

Current Board members include:

Chair – Gregg Mervis, President & CEO, Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau and John S. Knight Center; Vice Chair – Mark Mroczynski, Executive Director, Transmission Reliability Enhancement Projects, FirstEnergy; Treasurer – Alan Brubaker, Summit County Engineer; Secretary – Danyelle Sweitzer, Human Resources Director for GPD Group; Carole Berry, Administrative Manager II at the University of New Hampshire; Michael Callahan, Senior Partner of Callahan, Greeven, Riley & Sinn, L.L.C.; Kevin Griffin, VP Marketing Strategy & Public Relations, The Adcom Group; Robert Knapp, Retired Senior Vice President Strategic Integration – Signet  Jewelers; Bill Lowery, Retired President, Annaco; Chris Ludle, Deputy Director of Public Service, City of Akron; Guy Pipitone, Retired Senior Vice President of FirstEnergy Corp.; Dominic Rizzo, Vice President and General Sales Manager at Rubber City Radio Group; Kevin Thomas, VP of Operations, AAA Akron Auto Club; Dr. Don Visco, Dean of the College of Engineering and a Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The University of Akron.