JumpStart Inc., a Cleveland-based nonprofit, recently announced NaSheka Combs-Lemon as its new director of entrepreneurial Services for Stark County.
Combs-Lemon, a Massillon resident, succeeds Dan Brown, who is now chief services officer at JumpStart. The role involves bringing together resource partners, capital providers and technical assistance organizations to support growth-oriented business owners. She also will lead a pitch competition, Stark Impact, which gives area entrepreneurs a chance to win $10,000.
“Stark County has entrepreneurs who are ready to grow but need the time, guidance and connections to decide what comes next,” Combs-Lemon said in a prepared statement. “Stark Impact gives business owners space to sharpen their plans, build stronger networks and get practical support at no cost to them. I’m excited to help more founders across the county take advantage of that opportunity.”
Business owners can apply for the 12-week program through Sept. 7 at jumpstartinc.org/smallbiz/stark.
Combs-Lemon has more than 12 years of experience in small business support, entrepreneurship, and workforce and community development. She most recently served as the director of small business growth and entrepreneurial development at the Stark Economic Development Board.
“What impressed me during the interview process was NaSheka’s devotion to the economic vitality of the region, her understanding of the many stakeholders involved and, most importantly, her entrepreneurial spirit,” said Patty Ajdukiewicz, JumpStart vice president of small business services and capital. “She has been involved in this work for years, is local to the region and is eager to help more entrepreneurs in Stark and surrounding communities see JumpStart as an open door.”
Airgas facility in Canton honored
The Airgas Air Separation Unit facility in Canton has been named the 2026 Airgas Merchant Gases Facility of the Year.
Airgas is an Air Liquide company that provides specialty gases and chemicals, as well as safety products for industrial, commercial and medical industries. The company award recognizes collaboration between production and distribution teams and top performance in safety, quality, customer service, reliability and efficiency.
The Canton facility had no recordable or “lost time” safety incidents in 2025, according to a news release. Operations were maintained while also achieving a “near-perfect” customer service rating.
Timken Co. announces new leadership
The Jackson Township-based Timken Co., a global industrial motion and technology company, has appointed two executives to new positions to advance its “Elevate to Outperform” strategy.
Tim Graham, who is executive vice president and president of industrial motion, will fill the role of executive vice president and chief commercial officer. He will be responsible for companywide commercial strategy, marketing and sales performance.
Steve Ribaudo, who was most recently senior vice president and general manager of commercial HVAC in the Americas at Carrier Global Corp., will be executive vice president and chief operating officer. He will be responsible for optimizing the company’s multinational operations, procurement and supply chain functions, and profit and loss performance.
Both will begin their new roles on Sept. 1.
“This change is designed to enhance execution, speed and accountability to accelerate profitable growth and better serve our customers,” President and CEO Lucian Boldea said in a prepared statement. “I am confident these leaders will advance Elevate to Outperform into the next phase of our transformation — and beyond. Steve’s operational expertise will sharpen performance and accountability while Tim’s deep Timken experience will strengthen customer engagement and generate growth.”
American Heart Association honors area hospitals
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program, which supports evidence-based care nationwide, has recognized several local hospitals.
“Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke or heart attack,” Shelley Webber, executive director of the American Heart Association of Northeast Ohio, said in a prepared statement. “High-quality care should be accessible to all, and sites awarded through the Get With The Guidelines program help work toward our shared vision of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”
More than 3,000 hospitals nationwide use real-time data, performance feedback and other best practices designed to improve the care for heart disease and stroke patients. Both Canton hospitals were recognized for their adherence to the guidelines.
Aultman received the Gold Plus Achievement for two or more consecutive years, with 85% or higher adherence on all measures and 75% or higher adherence to stroke guidelines.
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital also received the Gold Plus Achievement and special recognition for an excellent survival rate of cardiac arrest patients, which put Cleveland Clinic Mercy in the top 40% of participating hospitals.
Aultman Hospital honored for heart attack care
The American College of Cardiology has presented an achievement award to Aultman Hospital and its Deuble Heart and Vascular Hospital at the main campus in Canton.
The nonprofit medical society aims to improve cardiovascular care and heart health. It awarded Aultman a platinum performance achievement award for 2026, recognizing the health system’s commitment to standards of care for heart attack patients.
“Aultman’s achievement reflects its ongoing focus on providing high-quality, guideline-driven care for patients who experience a heart attack and helping ensure they receive exceptional cardiovascular care,” Leslie L. Davis, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry steering subcommittee, said in a prepared statement.
Aultman was one of 350 hospitals nationwide honored, according to a news release. It has maintained its platinum status since the award program began in 2012.
Liberty HealthShare earns nonprofit award
Liberty HealthShare, a Christian health care sharing ministry, has received Candid’s gold seal for transparency and accountability for the fifth consecutive year.
Candid, which was formed through the merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center, provides research and information about nonprofits and charities. The agency awards bronze, silver, gold or platinum seals of transparency to nonprofits that share financial, leadership and other organizational information.
“Trust is earned through transparency and faithful stewardship,” Dorsey Morrow, CEO of Liberty HealthShare, said in a prepared statement. “Our members voluntarily share with one another because they trust us to responsibly steward the resources they contribute. We welcome independent evaluations because they demonstrate our commitment to operating with integrity, accountability, and openness.”
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: JumpStart gets new Stark director and other news | Business roundup
Reporting by Kelly Byer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Kelly Byer, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
