Several Cleveland area companies have some new faces on their staffs. Here’s a rundown of who has landed new positions.

Katie A. Van Dyke is the new director of the Cleveland State’s Small Business Development Center at the Cleveland Heights Library Knowledge and Innovation Center (HKIC). Previously, Van Dyke worked as an entrepreneur advisor, providing assistance and advising to local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.

"I am so excited for this opportunity to work with entrepreneurs and small businesses in Cuyahoga County,” says Van Dyke. “Offering our free resources in conjunction with sharing space in the Cleveland Heights Public Library and HKIC is the perfect combination to create and grow the small businesses that fuel our local economy!"

Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) announced that executive director Jeff Ramsey will assume responsibilities for day-to-day management of the Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre (SCFBC) neighborhood office while continuing as executive director of DSCDO. 

Jenny Spencer was named managing director of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood office. She is charged with ensuring continued growth in the neighborhood. Most recently Spencer worked in business attraction at Team NEO, and is excited to return to DSCDO. Spencer worked for DSCDO for four years as project manager, where she managed the Detroit Streetscape project, coordinated the grand opening for the Capitol Theatre, and launched the Gordon Square Special Improvement District. 

Slavic Village Development (SVD) has named Christopher Alvarado to executive director. Alvarado joins SVD from the City of Cleveland’s community development department, where he is a “Strong Cities Strong Communities” Fellow of the German Marshall Fund. He is also currently the board president of Bike Cleveland.

In anticipation of opening its doors in Ohio City this summer, Mason’s Creamery has hired its first employee, Young Park. Park came to Mason’s first as a satisfied customer and ended up becoming friends with owners Helen Qin and Jesse Mason. "It's pretty cool to have one of our first customers turn into a friend and now our first employee," says Qin. "It speaks to the strong sense of community that is present in Cleveland, and we're fortunate to be in a place where good help is not hard to find." 

Dix and Eaton announced the promotions of three employees: David Hertz to managing director; Stephanie Harig to account executive; and Sarah Hihn to director of human resources.

Hertz, a former journalist, has also been named to the firm’s leadership committee. He has been a member of the company’s media relations group since joining the firm in 2006, and has 20 years of journalism experience when counseling clients on media relations, media training, crisis communications and corporate communications strategy.

Harig joined Dix and Eaton in 2013 after interning with the firm and is now a communications generalist and a member of the firm’s investor relations practice area. Hihn came to Dix and Eaton in 2006, manages benefits administration, retirement savings, performance review, succession planning, employee relations and recruitment.

Have a new hire to share? Email Karin with the details and we’ll spread the word!