ACG Akron: Preparing for and Executing a Successful Exit of Your Business

Chris Cooper is the Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. In his 25 years at the OEOC, he has participated in all areas of the Center's work, but now focuses primarily on working with business owners on succession planning and transitions to employee ownership; ownership culture education and coordinating Ohio’s Employee-Owned Network; and business development and employee-owned start-ups.

He has been a featured speaker at conferences and programs across the U.S., as well as the UK, Canada, and Bermuda, and has co-written numerous articles and book chapters on employee ownership and business succession planning. In 2010, Chris was designated a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) from the Exit Planning Institute (EPI), co-authored its first State of Owner Readiness Survey in 2013, and has just been nominated as an inductee in EPI's Exit Planning Circle of Excellence for 2025. He has written on business succession planning and employee ownership for the former COSE Mindspring website, the Small Business Advocacy Blog of the Small Business Advocacy Council (Chicago), and Slate’s BizBox small business blog.

Charles Harris is the Partner of Business Development at ScaleCo Capital, ScaleCo Capital is a Cleveland based PE firm ScaleCo Capital is a private equity firm specializing in control-oriented leveraged buyout and growth equity investments in lower middle-market companies. The firm primarily targets businesses within the Great Lakes region, focusing on sectors such as business services, tech-enabled services, value-added distribution and assembly, and training, compliance, and education
At ScaleCo Capital he identifies investment opportunities, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving growth initiatives amongst the portfolio companies.
With a career spanning 20 years in Commercial Banking, Investment Banking and Private Equity. Charles has built a vast network of entrepreneurs, executives, and financing partners. His expertise in deal sourcing, strategic M&A initiatives, and enhancing portfolio company performance has made him a trusted advisor in the investment community.
Charles is a frequent speaker on private equity trends, capital markets, and business growth strategies. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Tuskegee University and a MBA from Case Western Reserve University and actively mentors emerging leaders in the industry.
 

I have over 25 years of experience in Marketing, Market Development and Sales management in the USA, Europe and South America. My main area of focus has been the management and coordination of different disciplines in the development and introduction of complex new product programs.

In implementing market development plans I have led joint venture and acquisition teams and I have implemented outsourcing and supply partnership programs in plastics molding, extrusion and assembly businesses.

Since 2007 I have been the President and 50% Owner of Pro Design LLC, which supplies custom products and solutions to the window treatment industry. We specialize in unique, natural products and ship finished shades directly from the same facilities that process and weave the raw materials. This shortens the supply chain, cuts out inventory and waste and promotes new product development.

Our vision is to be a design leader and to be a premier supplier of innovative products that help our customers grow and succeed.

We have a talented and creative team of 30 people, who are recognized by our customers for our exemplary customer service. We are proud to count some of the leading retailers in our industry as partners and we strive to create a fun and desirable work environment, where we give our team the chance to express themselves and to develop to their full potential.

Douglas J. Sibila is a 3rd generation owner of Peoples Services, Inc. and is the President and CEO.

Doug graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business degree with a double major in Accounting & Finance. After graduation, Doug worked for 3 years for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York City. Upon returning to PSI in 1990, Doug spent time running operations in West Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia. He was named Vice President in 1992 and responsible for Sales and Marketing as well as the Moving Division. In 2001 he was named President and Chief Operating Officer and became CEO in 2004.

Doug earned his Eagle Scout in 1983. Doug and PSI were honored by The Buckeye Council, Boy Scouts of America with the Good Scout Award for their commitment to connecting and building communities in 2019 and a recipient of the Silver Beaver award. Doug has been active in many community business and volunteer organizations including current positions on Team NEO, Stark County Port Authority, Stark Economic Development Board of Trustees (Past Chairman), Ohio Trucking Association (Past Chairman), IWLA PAC Co-Chair, Aultman Health Foundation (Past Chairman), Buckeye Council Boy Scouts Executive Board and Legatus. Other awards, organizations, and volunteer activities include Ohio Trucking Association’s Hall of Honor 2021, EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist (East Central Region 2020), NE Ohio Smart 50 Business Executive, M Conley Entrepreneur of the Year Nominee (2019), Ohio Association of Commodores, Past Chairman of the IWLAIC Insurance Captive; Chairman IWLA-Government Affairs Committee, NEOTEC, International Warehouse Logistics Association Executive Committee, Massillon Chamber of Commerce Board/Legislative Chair, President of Brookside Country Club, Kent State Stark Advisory Board, Stark State College Advisory Board, Leadership Stark County, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Board, Council of Logistics Management (now Council of Supply Chain Professionals) President of the Cleveland Chapter, St. John’s Villa Board, St. Mary’s Parish Council, Massillon Jaycees, Canton Museum of Art, Cultural Center for the Arts, American Cancer Society New Direction Board.

Herb is Chairman of Horizons Incorporated, a 200-person manufacturer of high value, high quality identification systems, products and data/installation services for fixed asset, warehouse and government-based unique identification marking requirements, recognition and awards and nameplate and panels for industrial equipment. His career at Horizons, beginning January 1968, included operating roles at the beginning to president of a division to president and the CEO of the whole enterprise to Chairman. Prior to that, after graduating with a MS degree in industrial management, he was a research associate at the Sloan School of MIT studying the formation, growth and success of technology-based companies spun off from government sponsored research entitles at MIT.

For over 50 years, Herb has been a local chapter board member, Development Chair and fund raiser for the ACLU of Ohio – still very active, Chair Alumni Fund for Western Reserve Academy, Board Chair and board member for the National Association of Nameplate Manufacturers, Board Chair and board member for Miles Ahead Corporation, a now defunct local development corporation, a participant for 9 years as a rider and fund raiser for the American Diabetes Association in New England.

Sam is the Chief Revenue Officer of Horizons Incorporated, a technology-based manufacturing company whose products and associated services enable organizations to identify, track and trace their equipment/assets. Horizons is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and has additional locations in Cincinnati, Bristol, England and Melbourne, Australia. As of January 2025, Horizons Incorporated is a wholly employee-owned business (ESOP). 

Since joining the company in 2010, Sam has held a variety of sales and operational management positions. In his current role as Chief Revenue Officer, Sam facilitates a team of marketing and sales leaders to develop and execute their revenue growth visions through our four business units and network of independent material converters worldwide.

Prior to joining the business Sam got his MBA at the University of California, Davis. Before that he lived in New York City and worked at Ipsos-Vantis, a new product sales forecasting consultancy. Sam grew up in Moreland Hills and attended college at Brandeis University. He lives in Tremont and spends most of his free time kiteboarding, camping and backcountry skiing. Sam is a Board Member at the Cleveland Foundry, a youth sailing and rowing organization.