-----Published 12.10.08-----

Greg Golden
Principle Engineer, Emerson Process Management
Cleveland Plus

Greg Golden was recruited here from Oklahoma, after graduating with his Masters in Physics from North Carolina. After experiencing Southern hospitality, Greg says, "People here are very, very friendly in the Cleveland Plus region. I haven't come across someone that's the typical Northerner that everyone dislikes..." Why? Maybe because this region is so family-friendly. And Greg's met lots of other young professionals through his involvement in groups like the 20/30 Club, church organizations and other charity groups. As a bonus, Greg also loves to cycle the rolling hills of Cleveland Plus. With the area's art galleries, or music, or professional sports, he says, "There's a lot to captivate..." http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 11.26.08-----

Patrick O'Connell
SVP, National City Bank
Cleveland Plus

Patrick O'Connell grew up on a farm in Iowa, but moved to the Cleveland Plus region from East Coast. He knew very little about Cleveland, and had never visited before the executive recruiter offered them the job. Now that he and his family are here, they love it. What do they like? The people here are genuinely nice, "It was a welcome change from where we had come..." Patrick also admires our Midwestern work ethic: "Getting up early, staying up late and doing a lot of hard work..." Not to mention that the commute here is a big improvement over his 10-mile, 50-minute commute in Washington, D.C. Overall, it sounds like it was a good move. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 11.12.08-----

Kerry Orywal
Technical Writer
Cleveland Plus

Kerry Orywal was able to keep her job and work from the home when her family made the move from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to the Cleveland Plus region. But when you speak with her for a while, you realize that she's all about her kids, aged 4 & 7. They had never seen snow in Texas, but the kids just loved skiing and sledding during the winter here. They didn't know much about the Cleveland area or Ohio, but now they don't plan on moving for a long time to come. Why? The people here are so much more friendly.

And Kerry has a theory for that as well: in Texas, it's so hot about 1/3 of the year, that people just come home from work and stay inside, unlike this region where people are out and about year round. They love their little village of Chagrin Falls and the kids are busy with swimming, dancing... and boxing. Always a surprise in Cleveland Plus. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 10.29.08-----

Justin Vaughn
Professor of Political Science, Cleveland State University
Cleveland Plus

Justin Vaughn has spent time living all around the country, in Chicago, Texas, Louisiana, and Wisconsin. When he was making up his mind about where to start his career as a professor, he chose Cleveland State University in the Cleveland Plus region. He may have been looking for an urban environment in the North, but what he found exceeded his expectations. As a fan of major and minor leagues sports, Justin is enamored of his adopted hometown, especially when combined with the great architecture and the fabulous beers available at the Great Lakes Brewing Company.

But it's not just the mainstream entertainments that caught his eye. "The arts scene is really rich here, too. Whether you're interested in modern art or poetry or literature, or live music, whether you're interested in pop or rock, or classical music, this is a vibrant community..." It seems like Justin has found his home. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 10.15.08-----

Jonah Weinberg
Director of Marketing, Strengthening & Growing Jewish Cleveland
Cleveland Plus

When Jonah Weinberg moved to the Cleveland Plus region from San Francisco, his first experience was a snowstorm, which he calls, "really kind of fun..." But it was the sunshine in the Spring that really shocked him, since in SF it is always overcast and cloudy. Plus, on a good day, his commute in the Bay Area was 45 minutes. On a bad day, it could take 90 minutes. Now, in the Cleveland Plus region, his commute ranges from 15-25 minutes, and he feels like he is giving himself 2-3 hours a day, which he uses to go to the gym or hang out at home. While culture in San Francisco is abundant, Jonah found the cost prohibitive, while in the Cleveland Plus region, ticket prices are reduced by a factor of a half. "The number of theatres here is surprising. When you think of Cleveland, you think of manufacturing, you don't think about how many cultural venues there are..." http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 10.01.08-----

Johnathan Holifield
President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Cleveland Plus

Johnathan Holifield has held assignments in other cities around the region, such as Cincinnati and Buffalo, but in his first couple of months here, he was quite impressed with the Cleveland Plus region. The most impressive factors? He appreciates the knowledge-based assets in this part of the world, especially because of the medical infrastructure. And he feels that our place-based assets, signified by Cleveland's location on the great Lake Erie, contributes to our advantage.

While most people are familiar with new development and the maintenance economy, Jonathan identifies a new field known as "restoration development." He also appreciates being invited to participate in a number of collaborative efforts to helping move the Cleveland Plus region forward. As he looks for a neighborhood for he and his wife to settle in, he's been told about some of our region's best residential neighborhoods: Fairfax, Detroit Shoreway, and Cleveland's first ring suburbs such as Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and University Heights. As Jonathan says, if Ohio is the "Heart of America," then Cleveland Plus must be the "Heart of the Heart." http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 09.17.08-----

Andrew Morrell
Andrew Morrell Photography
Cleveland Plus

Andrew Morrell moved from the East coast to the Cleveland Plus region and calls it "the best move I've ever made in my lifetime." He was working at the National Public Radio headquarters in Washington D.C. and moved to Cleveland Plus to work with the NPR affiliate here. When he first visited Cleveland, he experienced a "flood" of emotions. First his wife, who was from the upper Midwest, breathed a sigh of relief after living on the East Coast. They felt Cleveland was the perfect big city, but small enough that it's not "depersonalized." Right from their first visit, they enjoyed the mix of urban and rural, all in close proximity. "People here are really receptive to the new," says Morrell, who started his own business in the Cleveland Plus region. They enjoy Shaker Square, visiting new restaurants, and attractions such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Andrew still feels moving here was the "smartest move they ever made." To illustrate, he relates that he and his wife had bid on 5 houses in Washington, D.C. that were 40 miles outside the city, which would be a two-hour commute each way. The house they purchased in Shaker Heights in the Cleveland Plus region was equivalent to a $1.8 million house in a comparable neighborhood in D.C.. "We felt like we won the lottery," Andrew says, smiling. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 09.03.08-----

Adam Wasserman
President & CEO, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
Cleveland Plus

Adam Wasserman runs the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, which is in charge of the ports in the region. The organization is also a major engine for economic development in this part of the country. His career has caused him to call many places home: he and his family have lived in the UK, Washington, DC, Texas, and Arizona, among others. Before moving to the Cleveland Plus region, he had heard about the "Comeback City" that Cleveland became known for in the 1980's. So how does our region stack up? Adam likes the fact that Cleveland is mature, yet not so large you get lost. He and his family enjoy the area's rich arts scene, and the major airport access to the rest of the world. The family likes to spend time on Lake Erie, which is something you can't do everywhere. In fact, Adam's office overlooks Lake Erie, which he compares to the Mediterranean Ocean. To top it off, his commute is an "absolute pleasure," spending only 12-22 minutes traveling to work each day. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 08.27.08-----

Clayton Smith
Director of Field Operations, DOTS
Cleveland Plus

Clayton Smith has recently moved to the Cleveland Plus region, but he takes nothing for granted. After having lived in places like Dallas, Baltimore, Denver and Tennessee, he appreciates his easy 30 minute commute, versus the 75 minute commute he was used to. Now he and his wife live near Downtown in Ohio City, and enjoy going out to Playhouse Square, the 2nd largest theatre district outside of New York City. and what's a night out on the town without a fine dining experience, something the Smiths enjoy in a number of neighborhoods: Tremont, Ohio City and Lakewood. Their favorite? Lolita, run by the reigning Iron Chef, Michael Symon. They also enjoy the Metroparks, and mountain biking on the Towpath Trail that runs along the canal from Cleveland down to Southern Ohio. Above everything, Clayton appreciates the friendly people in the Cleveland Plus region, and the way he was made to feel right at home. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 08.06.08-----

Michael Shafarenko
The Fund for our Economic Future
Cleveland Plus

Michael Shafarenko is one busy guy. When he looked for a university to attend, he was looking for a small urban school, and chose Case Western Reserve University because he felt he would be able to get involved in the community. What he found was a nearby venue called The Spot that featured up and coming bands, and this became his favorite place in the region, and convinced him to stick around after graduation. As a musician, he was able to form a band with numerous other musicians in the area. He is attracted by the plethora of young artists due to the Cleveland Institute of Music and Cleveland Institute of Art, and he stepped up to become the volunteer coordinator for the Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology in it's inaugural year. Now he works for The Fund for Our Economic Future, a collaboration of Foundations that is charged with stimulating regional economic development. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 07.23.08-----

Ryan Anderson
Anderson, Biro
Cleveland Plus

Ryan Anderson came to the ClevelandPlus area for higher education, did an internship with an area company, and fell in love with the region. Feeling that this region offers tremendous growth opportunities, Ryan started his own business here, and now serves as the president of the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club, he enjoys interacting with leaders in the community and fabulous institutions such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Great Lakes Science Center, and because of the almost 5000 young professionals in the ClevelandPlus region, he has been involved in Cleveland Connections to help coordinate YP activities.

From his residence in Ohio City across from the West Side Market, he enjoys fresh food from the Market, and can walk across the bridge to catch in Indians game at Progressive Field. The night clubs in the Warehouse District and the world-class theatres of Playhouse Square are a short cab or RTA ride away. He also enjoys getting on his bike and riding in some of the parks in the ClevelandPlus region. According to Ryan, there is no shortage of cool things going on for young professionals in ClevelandPlus. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 07.16.08-----

Chris Brill
Accountant, Pease & Associates
Cleveland Plus

Chris Brill , having recently moved here from his hometown of Dayton, talks with Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland about his fun new social life in downtown Cleveland. Living in the trendy Warehouse District, Chris can walk not only to several sports venues, but to the House of Blues, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and to "a different restaurant every night."

An enthusiastic golfer and sports fan', Chris can't get enough of all ClevelandPlus has to offer. With season tickets to the Cavs and Indians games, and a multitude of golf courses to discover, he's one busy dude!

http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 06.25.08-----

Dawn Hanson
The Fairmount Group LLC
Cleveland Plus

Dawn Hanson has lived everywhere and seen it all: Shreveport, LA, Washington, D.C, Helsinki, Brussels, Copenhagen, and now, the best of them all, Cleveland, which she fell in love with on her first visit. What does she love about this place? She found the housing market favorable, with a generous supply of options. She's also into the Lake and the big-city Downtown, with so many things to do. Not only is Dawn able to be involved in a number of community non-profits, she also participated in the Bridge Builders leadership program, which introduced her to many of the up-and-coming leaders in the region. From her home base in Cleveland Heights, she participates in major-league sports, and big-league culture, and also makes it over to the West Side Market on a regular basis. You see, she and her foodie husband are fans of chef Michael Symon and the restaurants in Tremont and around the region. Her husband is from Helsinki, Finland, and they were surprised with the number of different cultures and languages here, including a strong Finnish community, with whom they have been developing the Finnish Cultural Garden. She's created her own business, and has found the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the world-class Cleveland Plus region. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 06.11.08-----

Bernie Moreno
President, Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted
Cleveland Plus

Bernie Moreno lived a nice lifestyle in Boston until Mercedes-Benz asked him to open a dealership in the Cleveland Plus region. Never having lived here, he and his wife and four kids thought it would be a five-year assignment. Instead, he fell in love with the place, along with his 10 employees who also moved their families from the East Coast. At the Akron-Canton Airport he tells Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland that he and his family enjoy boating on our lakes and rivers, exploring the fresh water playlands of Sandusky and the Put-In-Bay islands, with warm summer water that you can actually swim in, unlike the ocean that he was used to. They can now experience water skiing, jet skis, and unheard-of amenities such as dockside dining on the Vermillion River or at the Shoreby Club. Speaking of dining, they thought they would find Applebys, but didn't expect the nationally recognized chefs throughout the region. The kids spend time at the Nature Center at Huntington Reservation, doing sleep overs at the Great Lakes Science Center, and strolling the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Rock Hall. Being a sports fan, Bernie points out that in Boston, tickets to events are much more expensive than they are here, parking can cost as much as dinner, and the accessibility means you get home by the time you would have gotten to your car in a larger city. Bottom line: Bernie has made a huge investment in his business, and plans to make Cleveland Plus his permanent home. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

-----Published 05.28.08-----

Dr. Michael Schoop
President, Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus
Cleveland Plus

Dr. Michael Schoop moved to the Cleveland Plus region to head up the Metro campus of Cuyahoga Community College, from his previous home in the Chicagoland area, and he couldn't be happier. He's found that the Cleveland Plus region offers a lot for his family and his two little boys, and one of the first places they visited with their kids was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with him. He and his family also enjoy the cultural institutions around University Circle and the rest of the region. As an educator, Dr. Schoop says, "I think this region is incredibly well positioned for teaching in the digital age," because of Ohio's commitment to higher education and the fact that one of the major backbones of the Internet runs right down Cleveland's Euclid Avenue. Cleveland Plus rocks the digital age! http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

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