The People Involved
Office Crew
As Executive Director and CEO of Keep Akron Beautiful, Jacqui’s role is to lead the nonprofit agency that is responsible for beautification and responsible environmental management in the City of Akron. Jacqui develops programs that address community needs, recruits volunteers, educates students and sees that the City of Akron and the Greater Akron Area is a beautiful and clean place to live. She is also responsible for much of the agency’s fundraising, managing the board of directors, and working alongside the City of Akron Service Department.
Jacqui loves Akron – she is always getting involved in a new project or program, but some of her favorite things to do include volunteering with the Junior League of Akron, enjoying events and eating pasta at her husband Bruno’s Italian Club (The Carovillese Club in North Hill) and enjoying the city in the summertime!
As the Controller, Elaine is responsible for all financial operations within the office. Elaine handles all of the accounting, payroll and purchasing necessary to keep the office running smoothly.
Some Elaine’s Akron favorites include the Towpath Trail, Don Drumm Studios, Luigi’s, Lawson’s Chip Dip and Strickland’s Ice Cream.
As Community Outreach & Program Manager, Johanna handles our programming – anything from Clean Up Akron Month to our Recycle-Bowl Competition. She recruits and organizes volunteers, plans projects and clean ups, and anything in between. Johanna also designs many of our marketing materials, manages our social media, and writes our newsletter. She is the main coordinator for our fundraiser Green the Scene as well.
Johanna loves exploring Akron. You can find her checking out any one of the great restaurants in Akron, taking photos, or watching Netflix with her two cats. She’s also a Soap Box Derby World Champion! Does is get any more Akron than that?
Joy Fajt
As Office Manager, Joy is responsible for administrative tasks around the office and answering questions about KAB. She also coordinates the Beautification Watch Award program and the Loan-A-Receptacle program.
In her spare time, she enjoys working out at her CrossFit gym (APC), and trying new restaurants and coffee shops all around Akron. She also enjoys watching shows on Netflix/Hulu!
Flowerscape Crew
As the Flowerscape Director, Leah is responsible for the planning and implementing of beautification programs such as the Adopt-A-Site, in which Leah coordinates neighborhood volunteer gardeners to make a difference in their community. Leah also oversees the planning, planting and maintenance of the flowerbeds around Akron, the Flowerscape Program, and assists with community education regarding planting and environmental responsibility.
Leah’s favorite thing about Akron is the sense of community. She loves that there is a great group of people that really care about the city and improving its future. She believes that there are many ways to get involved to make this happen!
Litter & Graffiti Crew
Gordon Bartell
Litter Collection Supervisor - 330-375-2116 option 4
As Litter Collection Supervisor, Gordan is responsible for organizing community service workers to help them give back to the City of Akron.
Gordan’s favorite part about living in Akron is having a National Park right in our backyard. Gordan most enjoys hiking and camping along different trails in Cuyahoga Valley.
William Ford
Litter Collection Supervisor- 330-375-2116 OPTION 4
As Litter Collection Supervisor, William is responsible for assisting people to complete service hours, aswell as give them advice on how to be a good citizen. With the community service workers, William cleans the community, and believes that it is a group effort to be responsible for the environment.
William enjoys spending time with his great-grandchildren and fishing at Springfield and Portage Lakes. His biggest catch was a White Bass!
