Saxon and Waltermire sworn in to University of Akron board of trustees

The University of Akron swore in two new members to its board of trustees on Wednesday.

Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Michael Saxon and Thomas Waltermire to the board last month.

Saxon, a 1983 Akron graduate from Copley, will serve a nine-year term on the board ending July 1, 2031. He replaces Al Ciraldo, whose term ended this month. 

Waltermire, from Green, will fill the unexpired term of the position vacated by Trustee Cindy Crotty, who announced last year she was moving out of state. His term will end July 1, 2026.

Saxon is retired after serving as the acting vice chairman for AmTrust Financial and also served as the company's president of U.S. Commercial lines and as a global chief operating officer. Prior to that, he was president of AmTrust North America. His degree from Akron was in finance. 

Waltermire is the former chairman and CEO of Avient Corporation, a global manufacturer of specialized polymer formulations. He held a series of executive positions with BFGoodrich, The Geon Company and PolyOne for 31 years and later served as CEO for TeamNEO, a private-sector led economic development organization. He graduated from Ohio State University and Harvard University and was named Honorary Alumnus of the University of Akron in June 2001. 

"UA is honored to have two experienced individuals join the board and share their expertise with our leadership team," board chair Joseph M. Gingo said. "We are especially pleased that they are both from the Greater Akron area and have a keen understanding of the community in which we live and learn.”

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.