2026 Central Ohio Smart 50 Awards
About the Event
The Smart 50 Awards, presented by Hylant, will recognize the top executives of 50 companies in the Central Ohio region for their ability to effectively build and lead savvy organizations. Smart 50 winners will be recognized at a special celebration on August 13, 2026, where they will be honored for their innovation, impact, and sustainability to create business continuity.
The 2026 Class of Smart 50 Honorees
Jody Achatz
President
Kenneth's Salons + Spas
Nicholas Adams
President
Cardio Partners
Amy Albery
CEO
Wallick
Jeffrey Asman
President
The Painting Company
Jason Baker
President & CEO
S-E-A
Bhakti Bania
CEO
BBCO
Nevin Bansal
CEO & President
Outreach Promos
Holly Bezold
CEO
Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians
Greg Bixler & Abe Wright
Co-Founder|CEO; Co-Founder|CTO
Design Outreach
Robert Bobel
CEO & Co-Founder
Cayosoft, Inc.
Gretchen Bonasera
Founder
80 East Bourbon & Cocktail Club
Michael Bryant
CEO
Breck's Paving
Ron Carter
CEO & Co-Founder
RxBridge
Peter Coratola
President & CEO
EASE Logistics
Mark D'Aloisio
CEO
Orthopedic ONE
Matt Davis
CEO and Co-Founder
COhatch
Patrick Dial
President
Midwest Investments, LLC
Timothy Farber
President
Farber Corporation
John Farhat
President & CEO
Farhat Family Businesses
(The Tech Group, Farhat Services, Loquantur, Mission Control Cyber Center)
Brad Griffith
Founder and CEO
Buckeye Innovation
John Havens
General Partner & President
The Waterworks / Haven Services, LLC
Jane Higgins Marx
Managing Partner
Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP
Joe Huber
Founder & CEO
Huber Equity Group and Verti Commercial Real Estate
Kent Johnson
CEO
Highlights for Children, Inc.
Sheri Chaney Jones
Founder & President
Measurement Resources Company
Dustin Keith
Owner & CEO
Hi-Way Paving, Inc.
Kaci King
Owner & CEO
West Ohio Tool Co.
Megan Koester
President & CEO
A Kid Again
Marc Konkus
President
Konkus Marble & Granite Inc
Bruce Lackey
CEO
HAPPY CHICKEN FARMS
Josh Lau
CEO
Nymbl Systems
Rachel Lustig
President & CEO
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
Maria Mercurio
Chief Financial Officer
Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority
Janis Mitchell
Founder & CEO
Precise Resource
Jonathan Modlich
President
Modlich Monument Company
Lee Mosbacker
CRO
Dataroomed.com
Clayton Newman
CEO
STIRLING ULTRACOLD
Monty Ragland
President/CEO
Proteam Solutions (PSI)
Kip Morris & Brett Morris
Co-Owners
Five Star Home Services
Joel Rhoades
CEO
Epcon Communities
Sahil Shah
Co-Founder & CEO
MESH WORKS
Kyle Shen
President & CEO
Nexceris
Terry Slaybaugh
Senior Vice President, Sites and Infrastructure
JobsOhio
Jason Thomas
President
Dry Ice Columbus
Bruce Thornsberry
President
Synergy Electrical, LLC
Christina Vera
Associate Executive Director
Femergy
Luke Walker
Owner
Luke's Auto
Philip Washburn
CEO
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Taylor Weideling
Executive Director, Services
Transportation Research Center Inc.
Owen Wyss
Chief Financial Officer
Miles-McClellan Construction Company, Inc.
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