PRESIDENT

Jon Ashley is the lead pastor of Wingfoot Church and lives in Goodyear Heights with his wife Kelly and their one-year old son. He led a core team of neighbors and community members to plant Wingfoot Church in 2020 with a vision to be a neighborhood-focused church, prioritizing placemaking and building community with our literal neighbors following the way of Jesus. Prior to launching Wingfoot Church, he served as a youth and young adult pastor in Kent, Ohio. He is passionate about building community and seeing people thrive and flourish as they discover their hope and calling.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Kim Polatas is the owner of Pink Flamingo Marketing. With extensive experience as a small business owner and her role on staff with the Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce, Kim understands firsthand what it takes for businesses and neighborhoods to thrive. Her deep-rooted connection to Goodyear Heights comes from her family, who called the neighborhood home for many years. She and her husband were also part of the launch team for Wingfoot Church, demonstrating their commitment to community building.

TREASURER

Fred is originally from the Akron area, growing up in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood. He has spent most of his working career at non-profits. He’s now been with his current employer, Ardmore, Inc., for 11 years, serving as the Director of Finance. In 2017, he also took on the Executive Director role for the Ardmore Foundation, whose purpose is to help support the mission of Ardmore.

Fred was a member of the 2011 Torchbearers class and an active member from 2011- 2015. He’s also served on several boards and committees over the years, including: Torchbearers, The Italian Center (past president), Heart to Heart, R.I.G.H.T Committee, Herzing College, Camp Quality Ohio and now the Goodyear Heights CDC.

Mike is a life-long resident of Goodyear Heights and Ellet, an educator for 39 years. He is a board Member and site manager at St. Vincent De Paul Ozanam Poverty Outreach Center, a founding member and current President of the R.I.G.H.T. Committee (Residents Improving Goodyear Heights Together), as well as a board member and volunteer at numerous other local organizations.

Dr. Angela Brake, DPS/IDL is the continuous improvement and robotic process automation leader for GBS Akron center at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where she has bee n employed since 2017.

Miriam Ray has spent her life in Akron, Ohio, attending various schools and supporting outreaches that helped her family. She and her husband celebrated their 47th anniversary, surrounded by their four grown children, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Currently living in Tallmadge, Ohio, Miriam has a strong connection to the Akron area, having served 20 years at ACH until Covid. She has been involved in various community projects, including the Rubber Worker Statue at Main & Mill Streets and Akronstories.com, where short videos tell the rubber workers' stories. During Covid, over 2,000 bricks were purchased by families to honor their family who helped build Akron. Miriam is passionate about women and serves as a Client Advocate at Akron Pregnancy Services, mentoring and encouraging young moms.

Since joining IRG Realty Advisors in February 2022, Paul has been the General Manager of The East End mixed-use development at the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber World HQ.  Paul and his team manage the day-to-day operations and leasing while cultivating strong relationships with their commercial, retail, and residential partners and overseeing venues such as The Goodyear Theater at The East End, Hilton Garden Inn Akron, 171 apartments known as The Residences & The Lofts at The East End, and welcoming office partners such as Babcock & Wilcox, EY, SummaCare, Osborn, and Dinsmore to The East End as it continues its growth as the finest mixed-use neighborhood in Akron.  Paul and his wife Jennifer reside in Medina, and their daughter Lainey is a third-year finance student at The Ohio State University in Columbus.

BOARD ADVISOR

As an activist for Goodyear Heights, Sharon Connor has worked alongside the residents for over thirty years to support our East Side Neighborhoods. As the past president of the R.I.G.H.T. Committee (Residents Improving Goodyear Heights Together) she has helped bring public dollars, private donations and grant monies into the area to benefit our families. In November 2019