Case Western Reserve University today announced the appointment of three accomplished executives to its Board of Trustees, each with strong roots in Northeast Ohio. Thomas Mandel is chief executive officer of the Rubber City Radio Group in Akron, Bob Pavey is partner emeritus of Morgenthaler Ventures and resides in both Cleveland and Silicon Valley, and James Ratner is executive vice president of Forest City Realty Trust in Cleveland.
“These three individuals bring a remarkable breadth of expertise and experience to Case Western Reserve,” Board Chairman Chuck Fowler said. “Each knows the community and region, and at the same time has unique perspective based on knowledge of the university and respective professions. We are delighted to have them join us.”
Thomas Mandel
Mandel began working in radio in the 1970s as an undergraduate at Syracuse University, and hasn’t stopped since. After spending time at two stations during college, Mandel returned to his hometown of Cleveland and worked at four more companies, including WGAR AM & FM. Along the way he also earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve and, in 1988, launched his own broadcast enterprise with the acquisition of what is now WQMX FM (then WDBN). Although struggling at the time Mandel bought it, the station since has risen to the top of Greater Akron’s radio market in terms of ratings and revenues. The Rubber City Radio Group since has expanded to include two more Akron stations and, most recently, Cleveland station WNWV FM 107.3, also known as “The Wave.” Mandel has been active in state and national broadcast organizations, as well as local and national Jewish groups, including Akron’s Shaw Jewish Community Center and early childhood programming of the Jewish Community Center Association.
Bob Pavey
Pavey has been part of the legendary Morgenthaler Ventures since 1969, a year after David Morgenthaler first founded the firm in Cleveland. Pavey became a partner within two years, and went on to be part of the company’s most successful investments, among them Apple Computer, Aptis Communications (acquired by Nortel Networks), Endwave, Gliatech, Intrinsa (acquired by Microsoft), Synernetics (acquired by 3Com) and Synopsys. Pavey served as president of the National Venture Capital Association from 1990-1992, and in 2005 received an outstanding service award from the organization. Pavey earned his undergraduate degree in physics from the College of William & Mary, a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Columbia University, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1967. He is currently a director of a number of private venture-financed companies and is also trustee of Commonfund Capital.
James Ratner
Ratner returns to the Case Western Reserve board this year after serving as a university trustee for more than a decade and a half in the 1990s and early 2000s. He brings a distinguished record of community leadership to campus, having most recently completed a 10-year term on the Board of Directors of The Cleveland Foundation in 2016, including service as the board’s vice chair and chair. Ratner also is a member of the board and the executive committee of The Cleveland Museum of Art, and is the Board Chair-elect of Playhouse Square. In addition, Ratner is a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the Urban Land Institute and NACCO Industries. Ratner earned his undergraduate degree in history from Columbia University and his MBA from Harvard University. The Forest City Realty Trust owns, develops and manages a range of retail, office, apartment and mixed-use properties in leading cities across the United States. Forest City’s portfolio includes 22.8 million square feet of gross leasable space in retail centers and office buildings, as well as 32,000 apartment units.