About Us

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Bruce Rushton is the CEO of Business Growth Coaching and Consulting, a subsidiary of The RushStan Group LLC. Business Growth Coaching and Consulting is a business and sales coaching company serving the Columbus Metropolitan Area. The company is committed to helping business owners and executives discover better ways to manage their businesses by guiding them through a unique, on-going strategic business coaching process. The company’s ultimate goal is to help people and businesses sharpen their focus and achieve greater results.

A graduate of the South High School in Youngstown, Ohio, Bruce holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude from Ohio Dominican University and a Master of Business Administration also from Ohio Dominican University.

Bruce is passionate about helping young men increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities. He believes success is a choice and knows that; once you choose success, the next step is to begin putting in the required work. Bruce has mentored numerous young men over the last 25 years through basketball. He served as a coach and program director at First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. He mentored young men as a coach and trustee with Elite Basketball Club Inc., Columbus, Ohio. Bruce volunteered as a coach on the staff of the Middletown High School’s boys basketball team in Middletown, Delaware from 2014 – 2017. Bruce also served as a basketball coach with WeR1 Basketball program from 2014-2022.

Scott Washington is a Sales Manager for Allstate Insurance Company and has been with the company for 21 years in various positions. Currently, he handles the entire state of Ohio for Dealership Insurance Agencies. He is responsible for the training, product knowledge, sales skills and overall success of these insurance agencies that are strategically located in car dealerships across the state.

A graduate of South High School in Youngstown, Ohio. Scott holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Cum Laude from Ohio University, with a minor in Marketing.

Scott has a passion to help influence young people and show them that through education, you can achieve anything. Through hard work, determination and discipline, the sky's the limit on achieving your dreams. Scott has been a mentor to young boys in the form of a Class 1 High School Basketball Referee for the state of Ohio off and on over a 10 year period. In this time, Scott not only got the chance to referee both boys and girls in the sport of basketball but also was able to be a mentor for students, teaching teamwork and sportsmanship. Scott also volunteered for the Youngstown Police Athletic League during that time for at risk kids and young adults.

Dr. Angela Johnson is vice president of enrollment management at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). She has been with Tri-C since 2000. Her role is pivotal in overseeing all aspects of the college’s strategic enrollment management strategies by synergizing exceptional student service delivery focused on student access, equity, and success. 

Her role at Tri-C encompasses oversight of recruitment, admission, retention, financial aid, scholarships, registrar, college information center, and special population programs. Her exceptional leadership in both enrollment management and financial assistance has not only earned her national recognition but also inspired trust, with awards from esteemed organizations such as the National Council on Student Development, the League of Innovation in Community College, the College Board, the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the Midwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators. 

With over 30 years of experience in higher education administration, Dr. Johnson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Before becoming vice president at Tri-C in 2017, Angela served in various key positions, including executive director of enrollment operations and financial aid, assistant dean of student affairs, and campus director of student financial aid. Her experience also includes working in financial aid at Bryant & Stratton College and The Ohio State University.  She has served on several local, state, regional, and national board associations, including some associations previously mentioned, and she currently serves as National Chair-Elect for the College Board’s national assembly on financial aid assistance and a board member for the Higher Education Loan Coalition. Her extensive experience and contributions to the field make her a well-known national presenter and highly sought-after consultant on issues impacting higher education, including strategic enrollment management, financial wellness, students' basic needs, and organizational change in higher education. Dr. Johnson also serves as President of the Chief Student Affairs Officers affiliate group for the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.

Dr. Johnson's most fulfilling professional experience is her regular visits to Capitol Hill. Here, she fervently shares the experiences of first-generation college students with Congressional leaders, advocating for college access and funding. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Johnson uses her advocacy efforts to underscore her commitment to advancing higher education for her students. 

Kenneth Boone is a “change agent” and brings that positive attitude, encouraging personal growth, demanding organizational effectiveness and improvement to everything he does. Whether it is working with the general public in his current position as Deputy Clerk for the City of Youngstown, or volunteering as a Veterans’ drug court mentor and coordinator for the honorable Judge Carla Baldwin, he brings integrity, stability and insight to Youngstown City Court services. As a US Navy Veteran, Kenneth extends himself beyond the court services to provide a rehabilitation and informational vehicle for the men and women who have served our country.

Kenneth believes in putting his personal vision into action; joining with other community leaders to reduce violence in our local community. In addition, he has founded the “Elisha Blueprint Mentoring Program” to mentor and build character in young men, and voluntarily works with boys 7-12 years of age at the Youngstown Community School and Youngstown Taft Elementary; teaching self-respect and respect for others in and around our community.

Despite being a single parent and proud father of one daughter, with his determination and boundless energy, Kenneth continues to pursue a degree in Social Work from the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services at Youngstown State University.

Melissa Brown works as a Clinical Nurse Manager with the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare (TVBH). She manages the Clinic, Lab, ETA/Per Diem staff, Nursing clinicals and the Staff Education and Training Department.   She has over 24 years of experience in behavioral health and is a member of the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), Northeast Ohio Organization of Nurse Leaders (NEOONL), and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). Melissa has been employed with OMHAS for 24 years.  She has made significant contributions to patient care through leadership, advocacy, and professional activities.  Through employee engagement and shared decision making, she has achieved high levels of accountability with staff, leading to positive clinical outcomes.  She also works PRN as an Administrative Nursing Supervisor for Summa Healthcare. 

Melissa is a proud alumnus of Kent State University (KSU) where she has earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Therapeutic Recreation and Nursing.  She has also earned a Master of Education in Counseling and a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management.  She has 15 years of nursing experience and 12 years’ experience as an Adjunct Faculty and Clinical Instructor. She has additionally been an Adjunct Faculty member in the KSU College of Nursing since 2013. 

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Melissa has an undeniable passion for helping others.  She has been volunteering for the Kool Boiz Foundation since 2017. She is a member of the OMHAS Trauma Informed Care Collaborative, where she served as co-chair for the Upper Northeast Ohio region 2019-2021. She has researched, planned, and implemented multiple self-care presentations to increase awareness of healthcare challenges and the essential importance of self-care for African American girls, women, and leaders. She is also a member of the Kent State University Black Alumni Executive Board. As a nurse, her enthusiasm to help address and reduce health care disparities related to racial and ethnic minorities is incontestable.  

Ronnell Elkins was born and raised in Youngstown Ohio.  A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, he later attended Eastern Michigan University where he studied business management.  During his studies Ronnell spent two summers assisting the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority assuming the role of a counselor with their summer camp for the underprivileged.  In his current position as Sales and leasing consultant at Acura of Boardman/Boardman Mitsubishi, Ronnell has witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects credit mismanagement can have on an individual's quality of life.  In as much he wishes to act as a mentor and adviser to young men and women in the area of financial literacy.  Ronnell founded RNS Entertainment and managed the music label for a period of six years.  He acted as CEO for Arris Productions, a video production company which allowed him to work on the Keyshia Cole show, Hell Date and TV One's "Unsung" as a production coordinator.  He is active as a fundraiser with the YMCA. In his free time he enjoys golf, basketball and spending time with his daughter Caristian. 

Steven Jones is the President/CEO of The Steven C. Jones Agency, a State Farm Company, specializing in risk management, strategic business planning, financial service and insurance advising for local consumers and business owners. In addition to his experience in financial services, Steven has been involved in the several economic development projects in Cleveland, Columbus and Youngstown. His involvement includes creating comprehensive strategic plans; developing detailed operational plans for new ventures, analyzing real estate development opportunities and establishing best practices for value based and profitable organizations both as a consultant and as the initiator of the project.

Prior to starting the Steven C Jones Agency, Steven started his own real estate holding company, focusing on the rehabilitation of residential and commercial projects. Through his partnership with Affordable Supply and Home Improvement, Steven serves as the General Contractor and Director of Building Supplies for both residential and commercial applications. 2008, Steven formed RJSDEAN Enterprise, LLC a minority construction service and supply company that focuses on both residential and commercial applications. By trade, Steven has extensive experience in rough carpentry, finishing, dry wall installation, flooring, window installation and electrical wiring. At the onset of his career with State Farm, Steven served as a Property and Casualty Claims specialist responsible for both estimating damage to homes as a result of weather related losses. In addition, Steven served as the project manager on large losses coordinating action plans for both the claims department and hired contractors responsible for rehabilitating insured properties.

Early in his career, Steven focused on creating marketing strategies at the college level for Youngstown State’s Athletic Department and at the Professional level for the World Basketball League.

Steven has a bachelor’s degree in Education and Business Administration from Youngstown State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Project Management from American InterContinental University. Steven is also a member of the National Black MBA Association​