NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2024
WELCOME from the CEO
At Schauer Group, our work is centered on helping people, companies and communities thrive. Ultimately, we measure our success not only by our business growth but by our impact in the communities we serve.
We are committed to being good partners to our clients; supporting revitalization efforts across our region; attracting and retaining Northeast Ohio’s best and brightest; and championing the organizations that help our communities remain competitive.
With these goals in mind, as we have worked hard to attract and develop top talent, we also have worked hard to strategically expand our presence in Northeast Ohio. As our team has grown, so has our capacity to become even more engaged in the communities we serve.
To that end, we have taken the next steps toward investing in our region and expanding our physical footprint throughout Northeast Ohio:
- Our Cleveland office, which for a decade was in Broadview Heights, has moved downtown to the U.S. Bank Centre in the heart of Playhouse Square. We are excited about the energy and vibrancy this new location offers and already have been able to grow our Cleveland-based team under the leadership of executive vice president and Cleveland market leader Bryan Schauer.
- We opened a new office in the KeyBank building in Alliance across the street from the University of Mount Union and close to many of our longtime partners in the greater Alliance region. This office is led by associate vice president Matt Griffin, who for years has worked alongside our Alliance-area clients.
- After years of building relationships in the greater Akron region, we now have a small office in downtown Akron’s Bounce Innovation Hub. Our work in Akron continues to be led by client advisor and Akron market leader Brandyn Neal, who has developed strong partnerships with many organizations in the Akron area.
Ultimately, we are confident these new offices will help us serve you better. Being in the cities where our clients operate their businesses every day gives us additional insight into specific market conditions and challenges, allows us to be even more accessible and available, and provides us with more opportunities to support the organizations that are making a difference in those communities. Our new spaces also put us closer to some of our region’s largest universities – which is a big win for our internship program and our talent pipeline.
As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership, which has enabled us to continue to grow and support more communities in our region. Please reach out to me with any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Joseph D. Schauer
President & CEO
NEWS & UPDATES
Insurance costs are rising at a higher rate than would be expected based on just economic inflation. A trend called “social inflation” is responsible for the increase.
A fleet safety program is designed to protect both employees and companies and to prevent accidents while driving. It can include procedures for hiring and training drivers, policies about expected behaviors while driving, and plans for preventative maintenance.
NEW HIRES and team ACHIEVEMENTS
Please help us extend a warm welcome to our newest associates!
Connor Daugherty
Connor Daugherty joins us as a business insurance client advisor in our Cleveland office! He brings previous experience from his work as a commercial insurance advisor and an underwriter. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from The Ohio State University and holds a Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor designation.
Austin Thompson
Austin Thompson is our newest employee benefits client advisor and is working out of our Cleveland office. Most recently, he worked as a client executive, and he also brings experience from his time running a plumbing company. He graduated from West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics with a Bachelor of Science in business administration.
Alfred Perry III
Alfred Perry III has been hired as a client executive in our Canton office. His previous experience includes work as a risk and insurance analyst and in account management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in insurance studies from Kent State University.
Cole Orcutt
Congratulations to Cole Orcutt, who has been promoted to client technician!
And join us in welcoming our spring interns!
Ben Zimmerman
Ben Zimmerman is a junior at the University of Mount Union and is working with our sales team.
Mattie Marsilio
Mattie Marsilio is a senior at Kent State University and is helping us with operations projects.
Liam Sams
Liam Sams is a senior at the University of Mount Union and is assisting with document management duties.
SCHAUER GROUP IN ACTION
Schauer Group is proud to support the communities where we do business and where our associates live and work.
Alliance office
Our Alliance team held a special Friendsgiving celebration to close out a successful first year in our new office!
The City Club of Cleveland
We’re excited to be supporting our neighbors at The City Club of Cleveland through a corporate membership – and giving our team access to experts and innovative ideas.
Hall of Fame City Ice Rink
Members of our Young Professionals Employee Resource Group took a spin at Hall of Fame City Ice Rink, which we were proud to sponsor this year.
In February, we participated in Insurance Careers Month – a national campaign to encourage young professionals to consider careers in insurance. We shared thoughts from our associates about why they chose this industry:
Tim Hudec, vice president, serves on the board of directors for the Little Pink Ribbon Girl Foundation. The organization, which was started in honor of Angie Vitale Conley, raises awareness about the financial impact of cancer and raises funds to support Stark County residents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
I have the privilege of serving on the board of directors for the Little Pink Ribbon Girl Foundation, an organization that supports cancer patients in our community and honors the legacy of my lifelong friend Angie Vitale Conley, who passed away in 2014 after battling metastatic breast cancer.
Angie’s family and mine were very close as we grew up – Angie was best friends with my older sister, and I was good friends with Angie’s younger sister, Katie (the foundation’s co-founder and current board president). Years later, when my daughter began preschool, she became best friends with Angie’s youngest daughter. I knew Angie through every step of our lives, and it really hit home for me when cancer took her at such a young age.
As a board member, I work to educate others in the community about the mission of the Little Pink Ribbon Girl Foundation and engage other partners to help our foundation expand its reach. Our board participates in several community events annually, and every October, we host our Eat, Drink, and Give Hope fundraiser. Our foundation awards approximately 40 to 60 Hope Grants a year to individuals or families in the Stark County community who are going through a cancer diagnosis and are in need of financial assistance.
It is very humbling to see the many unforeseen negative impacts of cancer, including the financial burden, and at the same time, it is very rewarding to know we are helping these families and giving them hope while they are battling a deadly disease. My work is especially rewarding knowing that I am continuing to honor Angie’s legacy by making a difference in our community.