JA of North Central Ohio Hosts the Fourth FedEx Junior Business Challenge

August 4, 2017

JA of North Central Ohio Hosts the Fourth FedEx Junior Business Challenge

Thanks to FedEx, JA of North Central Ohio, the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational, and the PGA TOUR, JA hosted another successful FedEx Junior Business Challenge. As PGA TOUR professionals took their practice rounds on the course, two JA teams competed for the chance to travel to the TOUR Championship in Atlanta and go head to head with winners of the three other Junior Business Challenges, held earlier this year in Texas, Florida, and Connecticut.

The panel of judges—ranging from local businesspeople to a PGA TOUR professional—evaluated the teams on their product or services, presentations, business plans, and more. Both teams wowed the judges.

Heroes Over Heroin, a JA team from Cloverleaf High School, presented on the opioid addiction and their nonprofit to fight it. River City Revival, a JA team from Cuyahoga Falls, reported on the success of their marketing-consulting firm. Both teams not only demonstrated top-level business skills but also showed moxey and grit.

Here's a look at our distinguished panel of judges:

Pro-golfer Bill Haas is a six-time PGA TOUR tournament winner and the 2011 FedEx Cup champion. As a member of the United States national team, Haas has competed in the Presidents Cup three times, collecting titles in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

FedEx Custom Critical President and CEO, Virginia Addicott, is a member of the Northeastern Ohio Business Hall of Fame, has received the Women of Power Award from the Akron Urban League and was awarded the Leadership Excellence Award from the National Diversity Council. In 2013, she was appointed to the Kent State Board of Trustees.

Kevin Kleps is assistant editor of Crain’s Cleveland Business Journal. Before joining Crain’s, Kleps was the assistant sports editor at The News-Herald for 13 years and a sports writer at The Meadville Tribune for four.

Local businessperson and owner of Catullo Prime Meats, Danny Catullo. Founded in 1984 in Youngstown, OH, Catullo Prime Meats has expanded to provide high-quality prime meats to customers across the country.

Congratulations to Team Heroes Over Heroin, which has advanced to the FedEx Junior Business Challenge Finals at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta for a chance at a $75,000 donation to their local JA chapter.