Adam Keck grew up in rural North Jackson, but his family’s history is deeply ingrained in the boom and bust of the Mahoning Valley’s industrial economy: his great-grandfather was a coal miner, his grandfather worked at and then owned Reliable Source of Metalworks on Hogue Street in Youngstown, and his father saved for college by working summers at Republic Steel and his dad’s shop. Adam considers any advantage that he has had in life a result of the hard work his family put into the rich industrial history of the Valley and envisions a future in which it will return to economic stability and prosperity.

Kirk Noden has worked as a professional organizer for 12 years. Kirk began his organizing career in Chicago first working for a neighborhood-based community organization on the west side tackling issues such as abandoned buildings, school overcrowding, crime and safety, and quality of public parks. Kirk then moved on to start and direct one of Chicago's strongest broad-based community organizations, the Albany Park Neighborhood Council, an alliance of 27 dues-paying member institutions including churches, mosques, schools, and ethnic associations on the northwest side of Chicago. The organization, located in one of the most diverse immigrant areas in the country, was recognized as the "Emerging Organization of the Year" in 2002 by six area foundations including the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Woods Found, the Wieboldt Foundation, and Kaplan Family Foundation.

Tammy Thomas grew up on Youngstown's east side and graduated from East High School. She is grateful to have experienced a Youngstown that was socially and economically thriving, and treasures many childhood memories including shopping downtown, helping her great-grandmother with day work for prominent families, and the comfort of a mixed neighborhood where everyone looked out for each other. Though her family migrated from the south in search of employment, they faced overwhelming obstacles including poverty and under-education. After finding work in the steel mills, some were able to retire while many were trapped by the collapse of the industry in the 1970s. Tammy is blessed to be the mother of three grown children and one precious grandson.

Christopher McKee, Jr. began organizing with MVOC in June of 2009 as an organizing fellow working primarily with clergy and faith-based organizations within the Valley. A native of Youngstown, Christopher was reared in the Mahoning Valley and graduated from Youngstown State University in 2006 with a BA in History and minor in Religion.

Gary Davenport

Joan Sullivan