Good morning, Northwest Ohio. It finally looks like summer is arriving. With temperatures climbing into the 90s next week, hopefully you can find a little time to enjoy the sunshine before diving back into the workweek.

Before we jump in, thank you.

Every week, more readers choose to spend part of their Friday morning with Toledo Money. What started as a simple idea to better connect Northwest Ohio’s business community has grown into more than 1,160 subscribers, thousands of followers across social media, and a growing network of professionals who genuinely care about what’s happening in our region. We don’t take that for granted.

This week, we’re trying something new.

This week, we're introducing the inaugural Toledo Money Most Influential Real Estate Professionals list.

Is it a scientific ranking? Not even close. It's our attempt to identify the individuals helping shape Northwest Ohio's commercial real estate landscape and, by extension, the future of our region.

One of Toledo Money's goals is to build the most informed business intelligence network in Northwest Ohio. That means understanding not just the companies driving growth, but the people behind them. This list is one step toward documenting the leaders, dealmakers, and relationship builders influencing where businesses invest, where communities grow, and where opportunity emerges.

Will we miss people? Absolutely. And that's part of the process. We expect this to evolve each year with your insights, making it a stronger reflection of the people shaping Northwest Ohio's economy.

As always, thanks for reading. Let’s get into today’s edition.

This week's shoutout goes to Randy Rothenbuhler.

One of the strengths of Toledo Money is the business intelligence network we're building across Northwest Ohio. Randy recently helped expand that network by connecting us with a local president and CEO, leading to another story that gives our readers a deeper understanding of the people and businesses shaping the region.

Randy has quietly spent his career strengthening some of Northwest Ohio's most important institutions, serving today as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of the University of Alumni and Toledo Foundation, after leadership roles as CFO at Lourdes University and Walt Churchill's Market. He's the kind of person who stays engaged, puts his head down, gets the work done, and helps others succeed along the way.

Thanks, Randy, for exemplifying the collaborative spirit that makes Northwest Ohio such a special place to build a career and a community.

Owens Corning | $OC ( ▲ 1.56% )

Dana Incorporated | $DAN ( ▲ 0.6% )

The Andersons | $ANDE ( ▲ 0.7% )

Owens Illinois | $OI ( ▼ 1.78% )

Welltower Inc. | $WELL ( ▲ 1.04% )

Marathon Petroleum Corporation | $MPC ( ▲ 2.86% )

First Solar | $FSLR ( ▲ 0.11% )

Thousands across Northwest Ohio read Toledo Money each week. Among them are real estate professionals whose work is actively shaping the region’s economy, institutions, and businesses. Lastly, real estate is big business in NW Ohio, from houses and apartment towers to shopping developments across the region. Whether it's helping a major corporation find new office space or helping a mom-and-pop ice cream shop secure its first storefront, these honorees are dedicated to finding the right fit so that, no matter the client, they feel rooted in NW Ohio.

And these movers and shakers of the market aren't just making strides in real estate. They're fostering the next generation of leadership. When they're not making deals, they're making an impact on their communities and neighborhoods because they don't just work here, they live here, and they're among the region's biggest supporters.

Without further ado, welcome to Toledo Money's Most Influential Real Estate Professionals.

Few executives have a clearer window into Northwest Ohio's economy than Kevin Warren. Every year, thousands of families trust Danberry to guide one of the largest financial decisions of their lives, creating a real-time view of where people are moving, which neighborhoods are gaining momentum, and where confidence is returning.

As CEO and Owner, Warren leads the region's market-leading residential brokerage, where more than 350 agents facilitate ~5,000 home transactions annually and generate more than $1Bn in sales. Under his leadership, Danberry has maintained its position as Northwest Ohio's market leader while earning recognition as one of the nation's Top 40 independent real estate brokerages; a testament to the strength of a locally owned firm competing on a national stage.

Few people have had a greater hand in shaping Northwest Ohio's commercial real estate landscape than Stephanie Kuhlman.

Stephanie has built a reputation as one of the region's leading commercial real estate advisors, helping businesses, developers, and public entities execute deals that shape Northwest Ohio. She currently has more than $1.7M in properties under contract (and, frankly, this is small for Stephanie), including Sylvania's Haymarket Square, and recently represented the City of Maumee in its acquisition of the former Value City property for ~$2M, a site once listed for nearly $20M. Stephanie’s largest transactional year reaches into the ether north of $7M.

Beyond the transactions, Stephanie is a trusted advisor to organizations including Owens Corning, Dana, ProMedica, and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, while serving in leadership roles across several of the region's most impactful nonprofit and civic organizations.

Commercial real estate is ultimately about investing in communities, and Stephanie has spent her career doing exactly that.

For more than three decades, Tim Schlachter has helped move commercial real estate projects from concept to completion across Northwest Ohio. Licensed since 1989, his experience spans brokerage, development, construction, commercial finance, and property management; a combination that has made him a trusted advisor to many of the region's largest property owners, investors, and business leaders.

Rather than specializing in one corner of the industry, Schlachter built a career understanding the entire lifecycle of commercial real estate, giving him a unique ability to connect capital, development, and operations. His influence extends beyond the boardroom. In 2008, he helped lead Toledo's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers in an effort that earned him the Key to the City.

For decades, Duke Wheeler has helped shape Northwest Ohio's commercial landscape, bringing nationally recognized brands and millions of dollars in investment to the region. From Walmart, Planet Fitness, and Ford to Fifth Third Bank, Dollar General, and Potbelly, his work has influenced many of the places where Northwest Ohio shops, banks, and does business.

Beyond commercial real estate, Duke and his family built Wheeler Farms into one of the region's most recognizable destinations; home to its Christmas tree farm, butterfly house, corn maze, and The Stables wedding venue. Whether recruiting national retailers or creating local destinations, his career has been centered on bringing people, and opportunity, to Northwest Ohio.

Here are a few headlines we are snacking on

For Ashley Vetter, design is the deliverable, but the real work is the idea. Ashley partners with businesses and organizations to simplify the complicated, connect the dots, and create thoughtful branding, websites, marketing, and creative campaigns. With more than 20 years of experience and a collaborative approach, she helps clients turn ideas into clear, cohesive solutions that work across all platforms. Below are just a few of the notable projects:

Whether you're launching something new, refreshing an established brand, or simply need a creative partner who can help bring clarity to your next big idea, Ashley is a trusted resource right here in Northwest Ohio.