Government Affairs & Community Impact
The workings of federal, state and local government and their effects on the Mahoning Valley business community are the focus of the Government Affairs division. The Regional Chamber is an advocate for local business interests and seeks to influence those at all levels of government to improve the economic vitality of Youngstown, Warren and surrounding areas.
The division provides the following services to accomplish its goals:
Government Affairs
Public Policy Agenda
The Public Policy Agenda provides a roadmap for areas in which the Chamber hopes to focus its attentions. Topics covered under the current Public Policy Agenda include education and workforce development, military affairs, economic development and other areas of interest and concern for local business.
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Policy Spotlight
Note that we track a number of public policy issues that impact our members, but we will highlight a few policy matters here.
House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 32 – Child Care Cred
Submitted written proponent testimony for both pieces of legislation.
Both House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 32 propose establishing the Ohio Child Care Cred Program, which would share childcare costs among employees, employers, and the state. Both bills allocate $10,000,000 in funding for fiscal year 2026.
Child Care is included as a priority in both the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s and the Ohio Metro Chamber Coalition’s Public Policy Agendas.
The Regional Chamber partnered with Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries to conduct a Community Needs Assessment which found Child Care as the second largest barrier to employment in our region.
Tri shares model has seen success in other states
Senate Bill 2 - Energy Generation
Senate Bill 2, introduced in Ohio's 136th General Assembly, aims to enhance the state's electric grid. The bill's stated purpose is to increase power generation capacity while simultaneously improving affordability and reliability for Ohio consumers. The document's opening section explicitly declares this legislative intent. Essentially, it's a proposal to modernize and strengthen Ohio's electricity infrastructure.
Aspects of the bill are in line with the energy portion of our Public Policy Agenda as it promotes deregulation, local investment in energy infrastructure through its Priority Investment Areas, and provides property tax exemptions based on property of utilities used to generate electricity or transport/transmit natural gas.
State Operating Budget
Newsletters
View our bi-monthly GA Newsletters here:
February 2025
Contact us:
Lyle Huffman
Executive Vice President of Government Affairs & Community Impact
330-744-2131, ext. 1214
Lyle@regionalchamber.com
Brenda Linert
Director of Community Impact
330-744-2131, ext. 1114
Brenda@regionalchamber.com
Nico Morgione
Director of Government Affairs
330-744-2131, ext. 1112
Nico@regionalchamber.com
Vern Richberg
Director of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion Initiatives
330-881-8181
Vern@regionalchamber.com
JoAnn Stock
Executive Director of Center for Nonprofit Excellence
330-744-2131, ext. 1227
JoAnn@regionalchamber.com
Government Affairs Council Programs & Events
The Government Affairs Council (GAC) launched its monthly Lattes & Legislators series in July 2017 and never looked back. The series has become a great success and grown tremendously since, as we have invited numerous state and federal officials to join us and spend time educating our members on significant issues. The program provides for direct communication between government officials and community members.
Furthermore, we have worked to ensure that we are better prepared to withstand any future economic development crises through advocacy of the Valley, proving with one voice that we are a formidable and appealing option for investment. We do this through additional annual events such as the Columbus Drive-In that brings 70-80 business, community and local government leaders to Capitol Square; the Washington, D.C. Fly-In, which takes vested leaders to meet with members of Congress and the White House; and Salute to Elected Officials, which experienced record attendance in recent years, with more than 250 elected, business and community leaders attending.
Council Members
- Matt Blair | Attorney & Partner, Blair & Latell Co., LPA
- Joe Cameneti, Sr. | Lead Pastor, Believers Christian Church
- James Dascenzo | Principal, Hill, Barth, and King LLC
- Matt DeWine | Government Affairs, Foxconn EV Systems
- Charles George | CEO, HAPCO
- Roberta Hiller | CEO, YCAR
- Ashley Karlen | Manager of Government Affairs, Charter Communications
- Sarah Keeler | Special Assistant of Government Affairs, YSU
- Claudia Kovach, Second Vice Chair | Vice President, City Machine Technologies
- Ben Kroeck | Business Development Manager, Dominion Energy
- Mark Lamoncha | President/CEO/Owner, Humtown
- Sean Logan | President, Sean Logan & Associates
- Jeff Magada | Executive Director, Flying High. Inc.
- Robert Marino, Jr. | Assistant Superintendent, Trumbull County ESC
- Michael McGiffin | Vice President of Engagement & Investor Relations, Lake to River
- John McNally | Vice President of Administration & General Counsel, Boak & Sons
- Nico Morgione | Director of Government Affairs, YWRC
- Jeanne Mosure, Vice Chair | Vice President, Public Affairs, ms consultants
- Josh Prest | Executive Director, EOMAC
- Kevin Reilly | Executive Vice President, The Builders Association
- Steve Remillard | Trumbull Asset Management, Trumbull Energy Center
- Alexander Steeb | Operations Manager, America Makes
- Jackie Stewart | Director of External Affairs, Encino Energy
- Anthony Trevena, Chair | Executive Director, Western Reserve Port Authority
- Terrell Washington | Owner/Operator, H.L.W. Fast Track
- Mark Wenick | Chief Wealth Management Officer, Farmers Bank Group
- Ralph Zerbonia | President, Universe Central Corporation