ACG Akron: State of the Economy - Where We Are and Forward Outlook

Collaborative economic development advocate and business leader, working to create economic vibrancy in Northeast Ohio by advancing understanding the talent gap, enhancing site preparedness, building supply chain resilience, and promoting the region as a business destination.

Leverages more than 25 years’ experience in corporate financial services leadership, for-profit board and private company investor roles, and education-focused not-for-profit boards and committees to engage the economic development network, share data-driven insights and strengthen partnerships that build our community.

Award-winning community leader, with accolades including the Northeast Ohio Smart Business Smart 50 Awards and Crain’s Power 150, recognizing the most influential leaders positioned to move the Northeast Ohio Region forward.

Brian manages the Finance department and is responsible for capital budgeting at STEERE. In addition to shaping STEERE’s culture with his father and brother, Brian helps drive strategic planning and new growth initiatives.   

Before joining the family business in 2012, Brian worked for seven years at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, serving in a variety of different financial roles. Since returning to STEERE, he has served on the boards of Junior Achievement, Coleman Professional Services, and the Akron Rotary Foundation. He is a graduate of Torchbearers and Leadership Akron Class 33.

In his spare time, Brian enjoys playing tennis and golf. Brian resides in Akron and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan (2003) and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (2008).

Browning joined Huntington in 2016 following the merger of FirstMerit into the company. While at FirstMerit, he served as executive vice president, Akron president and CEO and was responsible for coordinating the activities of retail, wealth and commercial banking for the Akron Region, with direct responsibility for all aspects of Akron commercial banking. In addition, he was a member of the FirstMerit Bank, N.A. board of directors and executive committee. Prior to joining FirstMerit, Browning was a commercial banker with Ameritrust Bank and NCNB, where he began his banking career.

Browning earned his MBA from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and marketing from the University of South Carolina. He is a trustee for the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Akron, Summa Health System Hospitals, Akron Community Foundation, Sisler McFawn Foundation, Summit Education Initiative, United Way of Summit County and Downtown Akron Partnership, and a member of the University of Akron College of Business Advancement Council. He was 2012 campaign chair for United Way of Summit County/Red Cross Campaign and is past board president of United Disability Services and Greenleaf Family Center.

Sucharita Ghosh is a Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Economics. She has over 20 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in macroeconomics, international trade and international monetary economics and was awarded the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award in 2007. Her research focusses on the international aspects of trade, immigration, employment and growth and she has published articles in top journals such as the Journal of International Economics, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Regional Studies, Research Policy and The World Economy. She received the Deans’ Excellence in Research Award in the College of Business in 2019. Sucharita Ghosh also enjoys the rare distinction of having twice received the prestigious Fulbright Research Scholar award, first in 2006 and again in 2018. On each occasion she traveled to Italy to share her expertise in international trade.