Building the Future: Real Estate Development Driving Growth in Northeast Ohio

Dustin is an award-winning business journalist, bestselling author, and the chief content officer of Smart Business. Over the past 30 years, he has interviewed thousands of business and civic leaders, and helped more than 50 CEOs and entrepreneurs transform their ideas into books. A trained investigative politics reporter and former digital media entrepreneur, Dustin joined Smart Business in 1997 after serving as an editor at several daily newspapers.

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Passions: TJ loves everything about the great outdoors from camping and fishing to snow skiing. A boat owner and avid water-skier, he enjoys spending time on the 360-acre family property in northeast Cleveland.

His Role at Weston: Today, as President of Weston Acquisitions and Development Group, he is instrumental in identifying strategically located properties in target markets and port cities, securing financing, and finalizing each project through to its closing and stabilization period.

Most recently he has acquired the company’s largest group of properties to date, a 5.5 million square feet industrial portfolio of manufacturing, warehouse, flex space and industrial properties in South Carolina known as Carolina Industrial Properties.

A Cleveland native, he and his wife and three children live in Aurora.

Victor DiGeronimo, CEO of DiGeronimo Companies, leads its transformation and client services, managing multimillion-dollar procurement and fostering key relationships. With a BS in Industrial Engineering and Marketing, he rose from equipment operator to CEO. Victor drives urban redevelopment projects including Cornerstone Business Park and Valor Acres. Actively involved in industry organizations and philanthropy, he was recognized as Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2017.

Deb Donley is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Vocon. Since its inception in 1987, Debbie has grown the company to include a 250+ team of workplace strategists, designers, architects, graphics and branding specialists. Vocon is a Top 100 architecture and design firm, with a coast-to-coast clientele of Fortune 500 companies and an award-winning record of designing work environments that reflect cultures, personalities, strategies, and operational needs. Debbie believes in marrying design with workplace strategy to create offices that are ripe for creativity and collaboration and perfect for supporting clients’ evolving needs across a broad spectrum of fast-moving industries.

An expert in helping businesses navigate the pandemic-related disruption of offices and workplace culture, Debbie led the charge with Vocon – adapting to change and uncertainty through the strategic transformation of space. Debbie also set a standard for the industry by confronting the demands of an ever-changing planet through sustainable, flexible, efficient, and resilient building design. She is committed to inclusivity in employment, nurturing top-level talent and hiring diverse industry-leading experts. Throughout her career, Debbie has sought to create a culture of authenticity, acceptance, and inclusivity, enabling employees to bring their true selves to work. This effort has been widely recognized, with Vocon receiving numerous accolades, including the firm’s 19-time designation as one of Cleveland’s Best Places to Work.

Debbie measures success by the relationships the firm builds with clients. These critical connections are fostered by firm Principals’ active participation throughout every stage of a project’s life cycle. Debbie is a mother of three and is proud of the way that Vocon actively encourages employees to lead balanced lives with clear priorities. She is an active volunteer in the community, pursuing professional development opportunities with groups such as In Counsel With Women, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Group Plan Commission, and the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation. In addition, Debbie is a member of the University School Board of Directors and the Elon University Parent Council.

A Cleveland native, Bobby George is an entrepreneur with a majority stake in over 40 companies, including locally acclaimed Townhall, first-of-its-kind LYV The Wellness Space, and many others. Holding a degree in finance and economics from Ohio University, George chose the path of entrepreneurship driven by a deep-rooted passion for business and leadership. This fervor not only spearheads his business strategies but also continuously propels his success.

As the founder and CEO of Ethos Capital Partners, George has cultivated a broad and influential presence that transcends industries. His investment portfolio is remarkably diverse, amassing more than 4.5 million square feet of primarily urban, historic real estate that includes several rehabilitations to the standards of the Secretary of the Interior. George looks to start or acquire businesses that allow him to leverage his proven track record in revenue generation and operational excellence to drive value creation.

George is not only a savvy businessman but also a visionary leader who emphasizes the importance of being disruptive to gain competitive advantage. His leadership ethos is a delicate blend of command and compassion, fostering a culture that demands nothing short of excellence. In George's world, success isn't only measured in profits, but in the lasting impact his ventures have on the community and those who put their faith in his bold leadership.