The View from Main Street: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead
Jared Weiser is a leading voice for Ohio’s small business community. As the State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Ohio, he drives statewide advocacy and political strategy for more than 20,000 small business owners, working closely with lawmakers, state agencies, and the Governor’s office to improve Ohio’s economic climate.
With more than a decade of high impact government affairs experience, his career includes serving as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Ohio Credit Union League, where he led state and federal legislative strategies on issues affecting financial cooperatives. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly ten years at NFIB advancing workers’ compensation reforms and securing billions in premium rebates for Ohio employers.
Jared’s leadership and policy expertise have earned him multiple gubernatorial appointments, including service on the Public Benefits Advisory Board and the Industrial Commission Nominating Council, where he helps shape statewide policy and oversight on behalf of all Ohioans.
He holds an MBA from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from The Ohio State University. A registered lobbyist and active member of the Ohio Lobbying Association, Jared brings a relationship-driven, solutions-focused approach to public policy and advocacy.
You are warmly invited to Wojno & Cheese, a special gathering on Sunday, August 23 at the Mustill Store Museum, honoring the life and legacy of Virginia “Ginny” Wojno-Forney. Ginny’s fortitude and spirit led to the founding of our organization in 1989, and nearly four decades later, her dedication to community, history, and public space continues to guide our work. As we move forward, we look to steward our public assets in ways that uplift the Cascade Valley neighborhood and the City of Akron — connecting our past to our future, and our community to one another.
This event offers a moment to appreciate her contributions, marked by an installation for our memorial garden, while reaffirming our commitment to her vision. The celebration will take place from 3 to 4 p.m., offering time to reconnect over light refreshments and a brief program. We invite you to continue the festivities from 4 to 6 p.m. with music from The Delta Hand Band, the final segment of our Jazz on the Trail summer series.
Admission is free. Kindly RSVP by August 16 to info@cascadelocks.org.
For over 100 years, Rotary Camp has served children with special needs throughout Northeast Ohio. Thanks to the generous support of so many in our community, we have made tremendous strides to fulfill our mission of “Creating a world where there are only abilities!” We need your support as we continue this voyage of making a difference in the lives of special needs children and their families.
Mark your calendar for September 26, 2026, and join us for our Akron Rotary Camp Regatta, held at our facility in the scenic Portage Lakes. Come enjoy an evening filled with cocktails, entertainment, delicious food, and fireworks as we celebrate embracing the future together.
A formal invitation will follow. Please visit rotarycampregatta.com for additional information, or contact Amanda Warner at 330.644.4512, ext. 3205 or email amandaw@akronymca.org.
Catering by Beau’s Grille and the Doubletree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn.
