Williamson College of Business Administration to honor four alumni at 30th Annual Outstanding Alumni Awards Banquet

Youngstown State University's Williamson College of Business Administration will celebrate its 30th Annual Outstanding Alumni Awards on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in Williamson Hall. Networking and dinner will begin at 5:15 p.m., with the awards program to follow at 7 p.m.

This year's honorees are Alexa Sweeney Blackann and Trinette Simon, recipients of the Outstanding Alumna Award, and Nicholas Chretien and Justin Vinkler, recipients of the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award.

The awards recognize WCBA graduates who have distinguished themselves through professional achievement and a demonstrated commitment to their communities.

Alexa Sweeney Blackann
Alexa Sweeney Blackann served as interim CEO of Lake to River Economic Development, a JobsOhio network partner encompassing Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, from the organization's founding in April 2024 until December 2025, when she transitioned the role to the organization's first permanent CEO, Dani Robbins. 

During her tenure, Blackann and her team led the organization through a rapid start-up phase, including its formal launch as a standalone JobsOhio region, the assembly of its initial staffing and strategic plan, and measurable results in jobs created and new capital investment. She guided a team of economic development professionals focused on sustainable economic growth through site development, business attraction and retention, and strategic infrastructure enhancement.

Prior to Lake to River, Blackann was president of Sweeney Chevrolet and Sweeney Buick GMC in Youngstown. She sold the business to #1 Cochran of Pittsburgh in 2023 and continues to support the new owners in a consultant role. Under her leadership, the two dealerships received multiple Mark of Excellence awards — General Motors' top honor for customer service and sales excellence — and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations including the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Youngstown State University, Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley, SMARTS and Project MKC.

Blackann serves on the boards of the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Laurel School, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, the YSU Foundation and the Akron Children's Hospital Foundation. She is also a trustee for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, where she chairs the Development Committee. A graduate of Poland Seminary High School, Blackann earned a bachelor's degree in marketing management from WCBA and is also a graduate of the NADA Dealer Academy. She resides in Poland with her husband, Josh, and their four children.

Trinette Simon
Trinette Simon is a director at Cohen & Co, where her laid-back attitude and sense of humor put clients at ease. She takes an interest in building relationships beyond the transfer of documents, getting to know each business as a whole and the people behind it.

Simon began her public accounting career in 2001 and has broad experience providing assurance and advisory services to a wide range of private companies. Beyond traditional audits, reviews and compilations, she has special expertise in employee benefit plans, auditing defined contribution, profit sharing and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).

Simon resides in Youngstown with her daughter.

Nicholas Chretien
Nicholas Chretien is director of planning and regional development for the Western Reserve Port Authority and co-founder and executive director of the Economic Action Group (EAG). He works to strengthen development across the Mahoning Valley by addressing the challenges posed by legacy industrial and commercial sites through anchor partnerships and community engagement.

Chretien holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in finance from WCBA and a Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University. Raised in the Mahoning Valley, he leads teams working on property redevelopment and local talent retention through community-engaged learning initiatives. While a student at YSU, he co-founded YSUscape, a student organization dedicated to public art and neighborhood stabilization.

In the community, Chretien serves as board chair of OCCHA (Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana), sits on the board of SMARTS (Students Motivated by the Arts), and holds memberships on the City of Youngstown Design Review Committee and the Economic Development Loan Committee. He is a graduate of Leadership Mahoning Valley (Class of 2025) and an alumnus of the Raymond John Wean Foundation's Emerging Leaders program and Resident Council. Chretien lives with his wife, Morgen, their son and two dogs.

Justin Vinkler
Justin Vinkler is a senior executive in the Testing, Inspection and Certification industry, specializing in Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) and building commissioning (Cx). He has built and led high-performing teams across multiple regions and countries, helping drive tenfold organizational growth over a five-year period through initiatives that strengthen customer relationships, improve operational performance and support long-term business success.

Vinkler earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Youngstown State University, where his involvement with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and internships with Junior Achievement fueled his passion for business, leadership and developing high-performing teams. His leadership philosophy centers on people, accountability and execution, with an emphasis on developing great leaders, fostering collaboration and maintaining a focus on safety, customer satisfaction and results.

Vinkler said the recognition reflects the contributions of the colleagues, mentors, customers and family members who have supported and influenced his career, and that he remains committed to leading with integrity, investing in people and making a lasting impact on the organizations and communities he serves.

To attend the 30th Annual Outstanding Alumni Awards, RSVP online by Oct. 10.

Area businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring the 2026 WCBA Alumni Banquet can find sponsorship information online.  Sponsorship commitments are due by Sept. 4.

For questions about sponsorship or attending, contact Cynthia Manofsky, Assistant Director of External Relations, 330.941.3068, ccmanofsky@ysu.edu.