EPIC Toledo spent our Wednesday volunteering with Bittersweet Farms! A group of 10 of us went to Whitehouse to learn more about the group, tour the property, then dove right in taking care of maintenance and yardwork to help enhance the homestead and its residents!
The mission of Bittersweet Farms is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch. Bittersweet engages in a model which employs meaning and motivation, aerobic activity, partnership and planning, and structure and support. This provides a community of interdependence and a holistic and healthy environment in which the potential of each participant is envisioned and developed. Every interaction is a lesson in reciprocal communication, relationship building, and mutual cooperation between staff and participant.
Gardens Specialist Beth Kuntz-Wineland led the charge for EPIC member assignments that day, and gave us some information regarding how our work helped Bittersweet Farms:

"Thanks to the amazing EPIC volunteers, who brought organization and ease to our storage greenhouse by compiling similar items together, properly setting aside our extra hoses for storage, and cleaned all aisles for better navigation, and pulled weeds out of 14 raised beds, spread organic compost, raked the beds level in preparation for planting, and learned how to use our Earthway seeder to seed 2 beds of spinach and 2 beds of beets! These crops will go to source our residential homes with healthy, hyperlocal organically grown produce, as well as stock our free pantry for staff! This tremendous boost early in the season will help our Gardens team be able to grow food to share within the Bittersweet community and beyond, as 100% of produce grown will be donated to the Bittersweet community and also to local food pantries and animal rescues throughout the year."

Check out more photos from the volunteer event, below:

Basketball fans and EPIC friends alike came to the Hollywood Casino for our March Madness social!
We had a great time in the Sportsbook private lounge, with EPIC Advisory, existing members, and new members!

Rudolph Libbe Group's generous sponsorship provided food from the Hollywood Casino Toledo's restaurants for guests to enjoy. Attendees were encouraged to grab a drink, enjoy the lounge, and wander around the casino to play games and try their luck.

With over 70 attendees, it was a great opportunity for networking, connection, and a lot of basketball. Check out some of our event photos, below:

EPIC Toledo hosted another impactful Boss Talk, presented by Prephan Enterprises, this time featuring JR Toland, President & CEO of Savage and Associates. The event took place at Savage and Associates' Maumee office, providing a gorgeous backdrop for an insightful conversation surrounding leadership, service, and community impact.

JR gave his audience of almost 30 young professionals insight on Savage and Associates, how he came to be the company's leader, and how he maintains a positive environment for his employees and clients. He took the time to candidly answer questions from attendees about his professional journey, leadership style, and the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced throughout his career. He also encouraged young professionals to give back to the community, in money or time, and to unplug from their stressors of work emails and technology and live in the present with loved ones to avoid burnout.

Immediately following the Boss Talk, Savage and Associates employee and EPIC Toledo 2026 Chair Andrew Smigelski took attendees on a tour of the building, and hosted a brief networking hour for attendees to chat one-on-one with JR. Thank you again to Prephan Enterprises for sponsoring the 2026 Boss Talk series.
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Stay tuned for more Boss Talks with EPIC Toledo, and check out photos from the event, below:

​Some members opted to stay inside the park's facility, enjoying appetizers from The Garden by Poco Piatti and a less chaotic atmosphere to get to know one another and make meaningful connections. 

If you missed this event don't worry – we have plenty more coming up! Check out our calendar for more information, and look at some of the pictures from our Skate & Socialize event, below:  

Give us a little background about your life
I am Northwest Ohio born and raised. I grew up in Waterville and graduated from Anthony Wayne.  I met my wife Sidney in high school, and we have now been married for 3 years. We moved to uptown Maumee, and love being close to uptown -- especially Sidecut to go out for food and drinks. Now, my wife and I have a 3-month-old son. I graduated from Miami University in Oxford and came back to Toledo to work as a Financial Advisor at Savage & Associates since. In my free time, you can find me on the golf course, coaching baseball, or spending time in Northern Michigan in the summers. 

How did you get involved with EPIC Toledo?
I was a part of Summer In the City, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce's intern engagement program, between my junior and senior years of college. I loved the programming and networking opportunities that it provided, one of which being EPIC Toledo. After I graduated and started working full time, I got engaged in EPIC Toledo and have been a part of it ever since. Networking is so important within so many phases of life, and EPIC provides a great avenue for young professionals to grow their networks. 

What leadership skills have you learned from being involved with EPIC?
Relationship Building, Strategic planning, Communication.

What's been your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Finding a place that allows me to go to work every day and help create a meaningful difference in people's lives while giving me the balance needed to start and raise a family.

Why Toledo? What keeps you here?
To me, it was a no-brainer.  Cost of living is strong, the business atmosphere is robust, and the ability to raise a family and send kids to great local schools is unmatched. Things like the Metroparks, Zoo, Walleye and Mud Hens, food and music events are the icing on the cake. 

Best advice for other young professionals?
Be intentional in everything you to. You will get out of things what you put in - and that couldn't be more true in EPIC.  I have been involved with EPIC for years and have made some great business connections, but have made incredible friendships as well.


What is your vision for EPIC 2026? In a year from now, what does the organization look like to you?
A successful year as chair for me would be further engaging our members - both individual and corporate - to our great opportunities and programming. We have some amazing opportunities planned for 2026 that will give our members chances to experience all that Toledo has to offer: From socials to hearing from some area business leaders, we are networking, learning, and growing more every year. 
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What's something about you people might not know?
I have been known to sing karaoke from time to time...

Apart from his professional commitments, Reginald is an active member of various organizations, including the Toledo Chapter NAACP, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, and the Xi Tau chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is also a certified Ohio High School Athletic Association football and basketball official. 

Reginald's contributions have earned him numerous honors and recognitions, such as the Toledo Branch NAACP Emerging Young Community Leader award and recognition as an Emerging Leader by the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio. He has also been nominated for the prestigious 20 Under 40 Award. 

Reginald earned his B.A. in Communications from the University of Toledo and later completed his M.B.A. with a Specialization in Community and Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. Additionally, he successfully graduated from the Paul W. Barret, Jr. Graduate School of Banking program at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Reginald and his wife of 25 years, Jeanna, reside in Holland, Ohio, where they raise their son, Collin. ​