Sky Roofing is WRTA 2026 Small Business Of The Year
Sky Roofing Celebrating 25 Years in Business Wins Additional Honor at WRTA Small Business Awards.
Youngstown —Matt Estephan came to this country the late 1980s and went to work for a local roofing company. Twenty-five years ago, he decided one his own business. Now, he represents what many characterize as “The American Dream.” After emigrating from Lebanon, Matt learned a new language, became an American citizen, and perfected his trade. Together with his wife, Jean, he built a company and a future.
Celebrating their 25th year in business, Sky Roofing is a locally owned, family run company that has grown from a single Youngstown office to providing roofing services across the state of Ohio. Headquartered in Canfield, Sky Roofing offers a wide array of external home solutions.
As the 2026 WRTA Small Business of the Year, Sky Roofing receives a custom TV advertising campaign from Spectrum Reach, a social media marketing campaign from Farris Marketing/StrategiX Social and a business booster check for $1,000 from Platt Insurance/Auto Owners Insurance.
“ Small businesses aren’t just part of the economy — they ARE the Valley’s economy…”
— Dean Harris, CEO of WRTA
“Small businesses aren’t just part of the economy — they ARE the Valley’s economy —quietly employ the majority of our local workforce. “ says Dean Harris, CEO of WRTA. “The WRTA Small Business of the Year Award is one way acknowledge that when a small business like Sky Roofing thrives, the entire Valley moves forward.”
Sky Roofing was one of the six businesses honored last week at WRTA Small Business Awards event at the B&O Banquet Hall in Youngstown. The other five winners were Brilliant Cleaning Service, Legacy Tire and Auto Repair, Evo Eco, 36 Chambers Jiu Jitsu Academy and Paladin Brewing.
WRTA Announces Winners of 2026 Small Business Awards
Award Presentations and Announcement of Small Business of the Year will be held Thursday May 28 at B&O Station Banquet Hall
Youngstown —The 5th Annual WRTA Small Business Awards competition attracted entries by more than 70 Valley small businesses. Chosen by a panel of business leaders, winners receive recognition by Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA), Gov DeWine and the State of Ohio, as well as a shared marketing program designed to build awareness.
“Small businesses aren’t just part of the economy — they ARE the Valley’s economy. They quietly employ the majority of our local workforce. “ says Dean Harris, CEO of WRTA. “Taking this night to honor small business is a way to acknowledge that when small business thrives the entire Valley moves forward.”
Harris continued: “For WRTA, supporting small business means being reliable — whether it’s getting a mechanic to the shop or a baker to a kitchen — we see our ourselves as a partner in their daily operations. If we could make the commute easier for their employees and customers, we’ve done our job in keeping this region’s economic engine running.”
“Small businesses aren’t just part of the economy – they ARE the Valley’s economy. They quietly employ the majority of our local workforce.” — Dean Harris, CEO of WRTA
2026 WRTA SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS
36 Chambers Jiu-Jitsu Academy — Located on Market Street in Boardman, 36 Chambers Owner Tom Scala says Jiu-jitsu nurtures qualities that make our area great: perseverance and resourcefulness.
Brilliant Cleaning Service — Woman-owned Brilliant Cleaning Service is celebrating 10 years in business in 2026. Theresa Viviano is the owner of the Boardman-based company.
Evo Eco — Owned by Andrew Grueber, Evo Eco is an industrial environmental service company based in Youngstown serving businesses, landfills, and municipalities.
Legacy Tire and Auto Repair — Mary Rogenski, the woman owner in a male dominated industry is proud of the 45 years her firm has been serving the Valley from it’s Mahoning Avenue location.
Paladin Brewing— John and Abby Chandler, owners of this 11-year old firm, on Mahoning Avenue seek to create real community impact with welcoming gatherings that help neighbors connect.
Sky Roofing — Owned by Matt Estephan, Sky is celebrating its 25th year in business. The Canfield-based firm has grown from a single Valley office to providing services across Ohio.
WINNERS CAN WIN MORE
The six award-winning companies can also complete a detailed questionnaire and enter the competition for the title of WRTA SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR. That honor earns the business a custom TV advertising campaign from Spectrum Reach, a social media marketing campaign from Farris Marketing/StrategiX Social and a business booster check for $1,000 from Platt Insurance/Auto Owners Insurance. The winner of that competition will be honored at the Awards Dinner.
The 2026 winners join a list of almost 40 other businesses who have earned the honor since WRTA founded the awards in 2021.
Nominations Open for 5th Annual Small Business Awards
Nominate your business to win marketing, recognition and a cash prize.
Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) is once again recognizing and honoring entrepreneurs and business owners of the Valley. The entry portal for its fifth annual WRTA Small Business Awards is now officially open and accepting nominations.
“Small business is the backbone of America and of the Mahoning Valley.” — Dean Harris.
“Small business is the backbone of America and of the Mahoning Valley.” says Dean Harris. “They take the risks and get little recognition. Yet, while large corporations get the headlines, small business quietly employs more than half of the local workforce.” Harris added: “We’re proud to transport the workforce of these businesses. Now we can help them get the recognition they deserve and create some awareness of what they offer.”
| The WRTA Small Business Awards — now in its fifth year — promotes and honors local small businesses, their owners and employees. Local small businesses that exemplify the Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic will be chosen by a special panel and recognized at Thursday May 28, 2026 at the B&O Station Banquet Hall in Youngstown.
Winners receive an award and dinner, recognition from the State of Ohio plus a shared 90-Day Marketing Campaign with TV, Bus Advertising and Social Media. Award Winners automatically qualify to win the WRTA 2026 Small Business of the Year. This winner will receive a separate six month marketing campaign and $1,000 cash prize. |
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Nominations for the 5th Annual WRTA SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS is now closed.
Watch for an announcement about the winning entries.
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2025 WRTA SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
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Bringing Our Brand to the Next Level
Mural artist Pat McGlone applies the base color to WRTA’s 52-ft high digital sign tower. The sign tower located at Federal Station, WRTA’s transit center located at 240 West Federal Street in downtown Youngstown. WRTA is undergoing an “brand refresh” with a new look, colors, logo and tagline.
Wrta Federal Station Sign Tower to Be Painted Local Mural Artist
Patrick McGlone & Crew Begin 3-day Project 10am Tuesday April 28
YOUNGSTOWN -The iconic sign tower at WRTA’s transit center at 340 West Federal Street in downtown Youngstown, standing 52 feet tall and featuring three giant video screens, is getting a new look.
“It’s a special sign and it deserves a special approach to redesign.” said WRTA’s CEO Dean Harris. “Entering downtown from Mahoning Avenue, it’s the first thing you see. We want to make sure that first impression of downtown is a good one.”
To help create that special look, WRTA asked muralist Patrick McGlone to handle the job. McGlone is best known for his building murals in downtown Youngstown and the Southern Park Mall.
The sign will feature WRTA’s updated branding including the updated logo and the curving highway design. Several times during the project, the process is expected to be on Facebook Live.
Patrick McGlone and his crew will begin the 3-day project Tuesday April 27. McGlone says the painting will begin at the top of the sign, which is nearly five stories high and then move downward.
March Board Meeting Cancelled
Please be advised that the March Board of Trustees Meeting set for Thursday, March 26 at 9:00 a.m. has been cancelled.
WRTA’s 2025 annual report
WRTA’s 2025 annual report is published and ready for your viewing.
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Click on this link and check it out today! |
WRTA Unveils Refreshed Branding and Positioning
Forward-Motion Logo and “Going Your Way” Tagline Signal New Era of Economic Impact for Mahoning Valley
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – This coming Monday, the Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) will introduce its refreshed branding and positioning. WRTA, Youngstown’s fare-free transit authority is using the branding update in part to emphasize the authority’s commitment to serving as the region’s primary engine for workforce mobility.
The new logo—featuring a sleek bus outline with a bold arrow cutting through the “A” in WRTA—is designed to symbolize forward motion toward economic development and equality.
“Our new look and positioning is a promise to the Mahoning Valley,” said Dean Harris, Chief Executive Officer of WRTA. “When we say we are ‘Going Your Way,’ we mean we are aligned with the personal and financial goals of our riders. Whether that goal is keeping a steady job, attending a medical appointment, or simply having more money for groceries, WRTA is the vehicle that gets them there—at zero cost to the rider.”
THE $3 MILLION LOCAL ECONOMIC BOOST
While WRTA provides an average of more than 7,000 rides a day — more 2 million rides annually — the true economic story lies in the daily consistency of its service. By providing free transportation 6 days a week, WRTA acts as a localized wealth-builder, removing financial barriers for the thousands of passengers who rely on the system every day.
WRTA used to charge $1.25 per ride. The zero fare model puts an estimated $750 back into each rider’s pocket annually for the approximate 3,500 regular passengers who use WRTA. Collectively, this injects almost $3 million back into the local economy as riders spend those savings at Mahoning Valley grocery stores, pharmacies, and small businesses.
But that’s just one aspect of WRTA’s efforts to assist local economic development. Others include:
Workforce Stability: WRTA provides the reliable “bridge” between local employers and their staff. By removing the “transportation barrier,” WRTA helps businesses retain employees who might otherwise struggle with the high costs of car ownership or rising fuel prices.
Healthcare Access: With thousands of daily trips dedicated to medical care, WRTA significantly reduces the “no-show” rate for local healthcare providers, saving the regional medical system hundreds of thousands in lost productivity and administrative overhead.
“Going Your Way” – More Than a Tagline
The forward-pointing arrow in the new logo represents the upward mobility that transit provides. In a region where owning a car can be a financial burden, WRTA ensures that every resident has a path forward.
“Every time a passenger boards a WRTA bus for free, they are taking a step toward financial stability,” Harris continued. “The arrow in our new logo points toward the future of the Mahoning Valley—a future where mobility is a right, and where we are always going your way.”
The new branding will begin appearing on vehicles, signage, and digital platforms starting this Monday and gradually be worked across all platforms throughout this year and next.
WRTA continues to offer fixed-route and on-demand scheduled services across Mahoning County Monday through Saturday. More information is available on the transit’s website www. WRTAonline.com.
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February Board Meeting Cancelled
Please be advised that the February Board of Trustees Meeting set for Thursday, February 26 at 9:00 a.m. has been cancelled.
Severe Weather Forces Suspension of Bus Service
No WRTA Fixed Route or Scheduled Transit Service Available Monday.
To ensure public safety during current weather conditions, the Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) has suspended all fixed-route and scheduled services for Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
WRTA expects to resume normal operations on Tuesday, Jan. 27, provided road conditions improve. However, riders should still prepare for potential delays as service stabilizes.
Riders can get updates on the MyStop mobile app. If you do not already have this app, you can download it free on most phones.
The safety of our riders, employees, and the community is our highest priority. We appreciate your patience and encourage everyone to monitor WRTA’s website, the MyStop mobile app and social media channels for real-time updates.
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