ERIC SMER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WILL SPEAK ON FRIDAY 

 “Boomers, Bachelors & Bakers: The divergent convergence of generations, education & workforce”​

Eric Smer joined the Chamber in 2012. As director of Community & Workforce Development, he is responsible for an evolved and inclusive initiative of the Chamber’s collective interests in education, workforce, economic development and young professionals. Included are: ystark!, university relations, workforce partnership initiatives, workforce and education task forces, regional retention and expansion networking efforts, business retention surveys and visits, and energy industry relations. Areas of commonality are cohesively integrated to allow for opportunities of greater development in our regional community and workforce competitiveness.

A Stark County native, Smer was raised in Jackson Township and received a dual-major bachelor’s degree in business administration in marketing and business management from Kent State University, graduating with distinction and honors. Prior to joining the Chamber, Smer was Executive Director of Stark County Hunger Task Force, the leading countywide anti-hunger non-profit in the region. Smer’s community involvement is extensive but his proudest accomplishments are: Leadership Stark County Spotlight graduate; Twenty under 40! recipient; immediate past President of the Kent State University Alumni Association Stark Chapter; founding board member and current President of Friends of Plain Township Parks; past Chairman of the North Canton Jaycee Fair; current board member and Young Professionals Chair for the Rotary Club of Plain Township. Smer’s personal mission is to work to make a great Stark County region even greater with the help of the ystark! members.