Goodyear honors expired blimp ride voucher 17 years later

Nov. 06--Details of the game that September day in 2001 have faded from Keith Beckley's memory.

He played linebacker and running back for Carrollton High School his senior year and his performance against Canton Central Catholic in The Repository's initial First Down Showdown must have been solid because he was named most valuable player for the Warriors.

Beckley can't recall if he made a lot of tackles or tallied a lot of yardage. But the MVP award came with a prize, a free ride for him and a friend aboard the Goodyear blimp.

Beckley planned to take his girlfriend, Amanda. His mother, Lori Burnside, offered to help make arrangements. There were telephone calls and canceled dates because of weather problems and other commitments. Goodyear went through the process of building and commissioning a new line of blimps.

As time passed, Beckley forgot about the blimp ride. Life took over. He went off to college, found a job, got married and started a family.

Burnside hung on to the letter acknowledging her son's prize, even after moving from Carrollton to the Pittsburgh area.

"I kept it in my purse all this time," she said.

Occasionally while rifling her purse Burnside would come across the paper and make a call to Goodyear. Everything finally worked out last month. Wingfoot Three based at Wingfoot Lake in Suffield would be in the area and available for rides on Oct. 27. Beckley, meanwhile, had the day off from work.

"My mom, she stayed on it all this time," said Beckley, who now lives in Louisville and works as an environmental health and safety contractor in the Appalachian oil fields.

"I just wanted to make sure it happened for him," Burnside said.

Goodyear uses its three blimps -- the others are in Pompano Beach, Fla., and Carson, Calif. -- for promotions and marketing. The airships are common sites over sporting events around the country. You can't buy tickets for a trip, although rides often are prizes at local charity events. Goodyear also offers rides to vendors and tire dealers.

When someone wins an opportunity for a ride, as Beckley did, Goodyear works to let them redeem their prize, said Ed Ogden, public relations manager for Goodyear Airship Operations. The rides are scheduled around television schedules and other events, he said. There are instances where it's taken a while to get a rider on board, but Ogden doesn't recall anyone trying for 17 years to get their ride.

Wingfoot Three took Beckley over southeast Akron, where Goodyear is headquartered. He likened the ride to being in a single engine airplane but quieter. It remained below the clouds and the view was great, he said.

His companion on the ride was the girlfriend he planned to take all those years ago, although Amanda now is his wife of 12 years. "It's pretty neat to be part of it," Beckley said.

Changes on the dial

Two new program directors have been named by local radio stations.

Scott Davidson has been named by iHeartMedia as program director for 99.7 Canton's New County and My 101.7 The 80s and More, and he will continue with the weekday morning show on My 101.7. Alpha Media has named Gabe Carrillo as program director and afternoon drive host for Mix 94.1, WHBC-FM.

Davidson has held on-air and programming positions for radio stations in Florida and Ohio. He will report to Keith Kennedy, area senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia North Ohio. Kennedy cited Davidson's experience and vast market knowledge as reasons he's the perfect candidate and someone who can contribute to the ongoing success of the local stations.

Carrillo comes to WHBC and Alpha Media from WNRG-FM Energy 106.9 in Milwaukee. Originally from California, Carrillo has worked in radio since 2009. Larry Gawthorp, Canton market manager for Alpha Media, said Carrillo is a great addition to the stations and afternoon drive time.

Building gets new owner

A Tampa-based real estate investment trust has purchased the Canton Data Center at 4650 Hills and Dales Road NW in Jackson Township.

Carter Validus Mission Critical REIT II said it paid $9.4 million for the two-story building, which is a colocation data center delivering 1.5 megawatts of existing capacity that can be expanded to 3 megawatts. The current tenant is Secure Data 365.

Carter Validus buys mission critical real estate and specializes in buildings designed to house data centers or healthcare facilities. The company owns about 40 data centers around the country. Adding the Canton Data Center strengthens Carter Validus' presence in the Midwest as it expands in geographic footprint, Michael A. Seton, chief executive officer and president, said in a press release.

Recognition for Altercare

Several locations operated by Altercare landed on the U.S. News & World Report listing for best nursing homes and short-stay rehabilitation centers.

Altercare Nobles Pond in Jackson Township was among the six facilities awarded best short-stay rehabilitation center, along with Cuyahoga Falls, Mayfield Village, Cambridge, Newark South and Big Rapids, Mich., Altercare Western Reserve in Summit County and Lanfair in Fairfield County, were on the best nursing home list.

The study evaluated 15,317 care center around the country in each state and 100 major metropolitan areas. Lisa Werstler, executive vice president for business development, said Altercare is grateful to be recognized.

Gulfport executive gone

Donnie Moore has stepped in as interim chief executive officer at Gulfport Energy following Michael G. Moore's resignation as president, CEO and a board member.

According to reports, Michael G. Moore used a company credit card for personal expenses and used the company's chartered aircraft without permission. While he reimbursed the purchases, interest accumulated on the cards.

Donnie Moore joined Gulfport as chief operating officer in January 2018. Before joining the company he was vice president of operations for Noble Energy operations in the Eagle Ford and Delaware Basin areas in Texas. Gulfport is one of the leading operators in the Utica Shale. It drilled 94 Utica wells last year and has plans to drill approximately 40 wells this year.

October vehicle sales show improvement

New vehicle dealers around Northeast Ohio saw improved sales during October, the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association reported.

October sales rose 5.52 percent to 21,786 vehicles, compared with 20,646 last year. Through the first 10 months, sales are down slightly at 212,346 vehicles sold compared with 213,346 vehicles sold during 2017.

Sales of used cars also increased during October, said Louis A.Vitantonio, GCADA president. The association covers 21 Northeast Ohio counties, including Stark, Tuscarawas and Carroll.

Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or [email protected]

On Twitter: @epritchardREP

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