Wendy Gramza is the President and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. She assumed this role on July 1, 2014, after serving as Executive Vice President for 11 years. During her over 25 years as a Chamber professional, she has also served as vice president of Business Development Services and held several other positions within the organization.

She is a graduate of the University of Toledo, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. Wendy is also a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management.

Wendy is a participant in the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Civic Leadership Program and a member of the Toledo Chapter of Rotary International. She is a board member of Junior Achievement as well as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo and the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. She is also a member of the Northwest Ohio Business Advisory Council.

Wendy received the prestigious 20 Under 40 Award in 2005, which recognizes the professional accomplishments of people in northwest Ohio under the age of 40.

She holds the designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and has been appointed to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, an elite group of chamber chief executives that represents the perspectives and needs of chambers and their members to the U.S. Chamber.

Dave Robinson is the founder and principal of The Montrose Group, LLC, a national economic development and public affairs consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. With more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of government, business and public policy, Dave is a recognized leader in economic development strategy, corporate site location and advocacy.

Dave has guided Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized firms and local governments through complex development projects, helping clients secure millions of dollars in incentives and successfully expand or relocate across multiple states. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping strategic economic development plans that drive growth and resilience in both rural and urban communities.

Before launching The Montrose Group, Dave served in several high-impact roles, including as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Press Secretary for the Mayor of Columbus and general counsel for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. These experiences gave him unique insight into the legislative, regulatory, and political processes that influence economic growth.

Dave is also an educator and author. He has written two books on economic development and regularly speaks at national conferences on public policy and business strategy. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at both Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University.

He holds a law degree from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and completed advanced management training at the Fisher College of Business. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University.

Through The Montrose Group, Dave continues to shape the future of communities and companies alike, building bridges between private-sector innovation and public-sector opportunity.

Avi Zaffini serves as president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, leading efforts to support and advocate for Ohio’s 23 community colleges and their leadership teams. Since stepping into the role in 2023, Avi has focused on strengthening workforce development initiatives, expanding partnerships and ensuring that Ohio’s community colleges remain a vital pathway to economic opportunity.

Before joining OACC, Avi was senior vice president of Business Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at the Ohio Business Roundtable, where he played a key role in business development, member engagement and private-sector initiatives. He also oversaw the Ohio CEO Summit, the state’s premier annual gathering of business leaders.

Avi’s career in public service includes serving as chief of staff in the Ohio Lt. Governor’s Office following Jon Husted’s election in 2019. He played a pivotal role in the DeWine-Husted gubernatorial transition and previously held leadership positions in the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. His experience in government and business has given him a deep understanding of how education, workforce development and economic growth intersect.

A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Avi completed two combat tours in Iraq in 2006 and 2009. His service instilled a lifelong commitment to leadership, discipline and public service. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Ohio State University.

With a career spanning government, business and education, Avi is dedicated to fostering collaboration between Ohio’s community colleges, employers and policymakers to create stronger opportunities for students and workers.