Harwick's Pouttu named an honorary chair of Akron Bicentennial Commission

AKRON—Ernie Pouttu, president and CEO of Harwick Standard Distribution Corp., has long been active in civic affairs. So it makes perfect sense that he will play a key role in the celebration of the city of Akron's 200th birthday, which is coming up in 2025.

To that end, Pouttu was one of four citizens appointed by Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan to serve as honorary chairs of the Akron Bicentennial Commission, a mayoral advisory board established to oversee the planning and programming for the celebration.

Along with Pouttu, the other three honorary chairs include:

• Marco Sommerville, senior adviser to the mayor and deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs;

• Elinor Stormer, a Summit County probate court judge; and

• Cynthia Capers, emeritus dean and professor of the University of Akron's College of Nursing.

Pouttu joined Harwick in 1984 as a corporate controller, was promoted to vice president of finance in 1997 and was named president and CEO in 2007.

He currently is vice chair of member services for the Greater Akron Chamber and treasurer for the Akron Civic Theatre. He has been a board member of the Akron Community Foundation since 2021 and has volunteered for the various golf tournaments held at Firestone Country Club for 43 years. Pouttu was the 2020 recipient of the David H. Franklin award at the Bridgestone Invitational.

He also has served on the boards of Akron Children's Hospital, the University of Akron College of Business Advancement Council, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, ArtsNow, Ballet Excel Ohio, and the Boys & Girls Club. In addition, he is a member of the Akron Marathon Founders Club.

The Akron Bicentennial Commission, with input from various local groups and organizations, will plan a series of events to speak to four themes: Akron History, Civic Pride, Innovation and Legacy.

By this summer, Mayor Horrigan plans to appoint the 24 members of the larger Akron Bicentennial Commission and to announce work groups to do the actual planning.

Akron's official birth date was Dec. 6, 1825, when Gen. Simon Perkins filed the plat of Akron at the courthouse in nearby Ravenna, Ohio. The city expects to have events and programming throughout its 200th year, with the official Akron Bicentennial Celebration scheduled to take place in July 2025.