2015 Hall of Fame

The 2015 inductees into the Dallas-Hamilton Center Hall of Fame were Drew Forhan ‘81, Kathy Hunt ‘84, Richard Kappel ‘69 and Gene Novak ‘74.

Drew Forhan founded, ForTec Medical in 1988.  It was created on the belief that hospitals, surgical centers, medical offices and patients would benefit from mobile access to technology and highly trained technicians on an as-needed basis. ForTec Medical mobilizes surgical technologies—including the broadest array of lasers—to hospitals, surgery centers and physician offices on an as-needed basis. The company recently celebrated ForTec’s 25th anniversary and the opening of its 26th office. Drew currently focuses on growth strategy, business development and strategic acquisitions.

In 1984, Kathy Hunt became the CEO of Elmwood Centers, a family-owned and operated residential and healthcare organization for seniors. Under her strong leadership, she has led Elmwood through many years of expansion and development in Seneca and Sandusky counties. Elmwood has grown to two campuses in Green Springs, and one each in Fremont, New Bremen and Tiffin. Services include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, and specialty/long-term acute care. Elmwood Communities has grown their team to more than 700 employees.

Richard Kappel owned and served as President and CEO of ACS, Inc., a software company located in Dayton, Ohio, that specialized in the development and sale of software products for use by the commercial bank industry.  Its products, Banker and Banker II, by 1993, were one of the most comprehensive and widely installed community bank software applications in the United States.

Gene Novak co-founded Dwellworks in 2007 to deliver innovative, efficient and cost-effective relocation and real estate solutions. Gene is the Executive VP and CFO, and is responsible for all aspects of finance and accounting, as well as the oversight of the administrative, human resources and information technology functions. Dwellworks has seen continued expansion by maintaining service centers in multiple U.S. locations as well as Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Germany, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Brazil. In 2013, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland recognized Dwellworks as one of the “Top Workplaces.”