Photos by Lonnie Griffin Photography
The 2024 AAF-Akron Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, October 17 at the Knight Stage in downtown Akron. President JD Dumire presided over the annual meeting and updated members on highlights from the past year and recognized our honorees.
Penny Award recipient, Melissa Olson, gives her acceptance speech.
PENNY AWARD
Melissa Olson, Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Online, Continuing, and Professional Education at The University of Akron, is the 2024 recipient of its Penny Award. Watch her Penny Award video here and listen to her acceptance speech here.
The AAF-Akron Penny Award recognizes young professionals, under 40 in the Greater Akron area who have made outstanding contributions to the local advertising community.
APPLAUSE AWARDS
In its second year, our membership points program recognized and rewarded our members’ service and engagement with the club. Members earned points for attending events, joining a team, making donations to our scholarship and more. Points from Oct. 2023–Oct. 2024 were tallied up and top tier earners were recognized.
Tom Scott, Member of the Year.
Member of the Year
For the second year in a row, photographer Tom Scott won Member of the Year. Our most active member, Scott attended many events, helped on teams, contributed to our scholarship and was an American Advertising Awards partner. He earned 287 points and received one free membership.
First Tier Winner
The following member earned 150+ points and received a gift card to our caterer partner, Big Eu’es BBQ.
Todd Biss
Second Tier Winners
The following members earned 100+ points and received AAF sling bags.
Josh Booth
Michael Carlson
JD Dumire
Janae Droder
Dave Flynn
Brianna Kelly
Tim Klinger
Mario Micale
Alex Miller
Melissa Olson
Samuel Pullen
Ryan Rimmele
Adrienne Sabo
Mark Szczepanik
Xander Tennent
Eric Vaughan
Jacob Scott
Tom Scott
Cecilia Sveda
Josh Weisgarber
Rachel Wilson
Kaylie Yaceczko
Jacob Vickers, Volunteer of the Year.
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
Two members were recognized for their many contributions.
Jacob Vickers is part of the duo (The Jacobs) that created last year’s Silver Medal video and this year’s Penny Award video. He also created our Applause Awards logo.
Chris Spradlin joined our web team this year and has saved our website from outdated plugins and more! He’s even worked on a preliminary app idea to connect AAF chapters. He recently moved to Denver and could not accept his award in person.
Brianna Kelly, Board Member of the Year.
BITCHIN’ BOARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Board Chair Brianna Kelly earned 413 member points and won the distinction of Bitchin’ Board Member of the Year.
Savannah Uhler, Art Director and Anna Yantek, Graphic Designer from Northern Ohio Printing accept Partner of the Year.
PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Northern Ohio Printing has been illuminating our brand for years. As our 2024 American Advertising Awards Winners Book print partner, they have made us shine with eye-popping sculpting UV and 3D foil. We are thrilled to announce that they are printing our 80th American Advertising Awards Winners Book!
HIGH FIVE AWARDS
The High Five Awards recognize those advertising and marketing professionals who go above and beyond the 9-to-5 workday in big and small ways.
Account Service Award
Nina Seifert, General Manager/Office Manager at Minuteman Press Youngstown.
“Nina’s natural ability to listen sets her apart. She listens to customers’ needs and solves their problems in simple, creative, and effective ways. Her ability to manage multiple workflows while maintaining a deep understanding of the needs of each is impressive. MPY wouldn’t be where it is today without Nina’s instinct, drive, and passion.”
MarComm Award
Kate DeAngelis, Director of Marketing at Barberton Community Foundation.
“Kate is responsible for conceptualizing and coordinating the effective deployment of marketing initiatives that build and promote the Foundation’s brand, image and strategic goals. Her amazing work ethic not only benefits the Foundation, but benefits the donors and citizens of Barberton.”
Production Award
Devan Weckerly Lambert, Director of Marketing at Better Business Bureau Akron.
“Devan has created numerous new videos for BBB to showcase, which have the highest level of editing and graphics-never produced by a BBB employee prior.”
Intern of the Year
Taylor Smith, former intern and now Graphic Designer, at Kleidon & Associates.
“Taylor started with Kleidon & Associates as a graphic design intern a year ago at the start of her senior year at The University of Akron. Over the first six months of her internship, she immediately started creating client-ready work. She impressed the Kleidon team so much that they hired her full-time immediately after she graduated. She continues to be a tremendous asset.”
Most Valuable Peer
Katie Janota, Director, Creative Content & Project Management at United Way of Summit & Medina.
“Katie is a project-managing, social-media-wrangling, photographing, videoing, creative-team-leading marketing powerhouse – a jack of all trades and master of many. She exemplifies the idea that marketing can be a tool to create meaningful positive change in our community.”
AAF-Akron 2024-2026 Board of Directors (l-r): Janae Droder, Rachel Wilson, JD Dumire, Brianna Kelly, Kaylie Yaceczko, Sam Pullen, Jacob Scott.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2023-2024
- Won two National Club Achievement awards:
• Second place in Cornerstone Initiatives & Events
• Third place in Public Service - Gabrielle Seigfried from The University of Akron won Student Best of Show at the District 5 American Advertising Awards competition in March!
- Susan B. Kosich Charitable Fund:
$26,900 of $27,500 has been raised. - The MENT: Our first mentorship program launched in April. Mentors and mentees met at their own pace and inspired each other.
MENT Class of 2024:
Mentor / Mentee
Dave Flynn / Alex Miller
Dan Kearsey / Joshua Weisgarber
Sarah Behm / Kendra Taylor
Amy McDonald / Joe LaConte
Mario Ricciardi / Kalib Kiser
Ryan Rimmele / Melanie Talbott
MENT Class of 2024: (l-r) top: Ryan Rimmele, Melanie Talbott, Kalib Kiser, Joe LaConte, Kendra Taylor, Sarah Behm, Joshua Weisgarber, Alex Miller, Dave Flynn.
AAF-Kent State President Jean Jackson, Morgan Stevens, Anthony Furiga, Mikhael Macon. - Welcome AAF-Kent State! We’re thrilled to welcome our relatively new AAF college chapter run by President Jean Jackson, Vice President Anthony Furiga, Treasurer Morgan Stevens and faculty advisor Mike Jackson.
WHAT’S NEXT IN 2025
- We Celebrate Our 80th Anniversary in 2025!
We need your help to get to 100 and beyond! Become an AAF ADvocate. Help us celebrate our milestone and become an ADvocate. Did you know you can sponsor a category at the show for just $250. We have sponsorships for all levels and budgets as well as in-kind partnerships. - Always looking for new board and team members to bolster succession and bring new ideas to the table.
- Secure finances and maintain a healthy financial cushion.
- More joint events.
- Reconnecting with AAF Central Region.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024-2026 BOARD
JD Dumire, President
Senior Exhibit Designer, Formatech Exhibits
Owner/Designer, DesignxJD, LLC
Brianna Kelly, Board Chair
Marketing Manager, Pritt Entertainment Group
Kaylie Yaceczko, Vice President/Communications Chair
Digital Marketing Manager, Red Point Digital
Samuel Pullen, Membership Chair
Digital and Print Designer, Surgere
Janae Droder, Programs Chair
Graphic Designer & Illustrator
Jacob Scott, American Advertising Award Chair
Graphic Designer, Photographer & Videographer, The Jacobs
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT PARTNERS
Catering by Big Eu’es BBQ
Penny Award Video Partner: The Jacobs: Jacob Scott & Jacob Vickers
Video Venue Partner: Akron Studio Rentals
Event Photography: Lonnie Griffin Photography
