NSME Dinner - September 16, 2025

  "Be True to Yourself" by Ron Paydo, Akron – Canton Market President, Huntington National Bank

1. Be at the front of the line with your hand up and lean into headwinds.  Take ownership and work hard
2. Be open to change.  Be ready and take the call
3. Be present and build relationships.  Go forward together.
4. Be a net giver and make people feel powerful.  Coach, support, lift up, and repeat.
5. Be true to yourself, your purpose, your passion, and your priorities.  Remember what’s important and where you came from. 

About Ron

 Ron Paydo serves as Market President for the Akron-Canton area, having previously worked as Dedicated Business Banking Group Director and Community President in Medina, Ohio. Ron has been with Huntington or previous banks since 1987 when he began his banking career as a Management Trainee with FirstMerit Bank.

 Ron was a Regional President for FirstMerit, covering Medina, Richland, and Ashland counties, before becoming the Director of Small Business for the bank until 2016. He became the Business Banking Area Manager for Canton, Akron, and the Mahoning Valley upon the FirstMerit merger with Huntington. He’s held regional leadership roles since the merger.

 “Regional banking is critical for Huntington – it allows us to out-local the national banks and out-national the local banks, and we can be there for all customers to meet every need.”

 Active in mentoring youth, Ron and his wife Kathleen have fostered more than 190 kids. They also hosted seven exchange students through the local Rotary Club.

 Ron sits on a number of boards in Summit and Medina County.  These include the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce, The United Way of Summit & Medina, Team NEO, The American Red Cross of Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley, Great Trail Council, BSA, Cleveland Clinic – Medina Hospital, and Portage Path Behavioral Health.  He is also a founding board member of the Medina County Blue Coats and Main Street Wadsworth organizations.

 Ron lives in Wadsworth, OH, with his family.