CEO of Warren construction business named 2022 ATHENA Award recipient

The CEO and president of a Warren construction business was chosen as the recipient of the 2022 ATHENA Award Thursday Evening.

Dawn Incorporated President and CEO, Dawn Ochman was named as the recipient of this year's award.

The ATHENA Award is given annually to recognize area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen career, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women.

Ochman started her business in 1993 at the age of 25 as a dump truck hauler with one truck. That number grew all the way to 30 within 10 years.

A few years later, Ochman decided to expand into construction and now does business in six states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana.

In 2021, the company was ranked in 4th place on the Best of Small Businesses SB100 List. 

To accommodate its growth, Dawn Inc purchased five acres next door to its Warren facility to expand. This year, the company is completing a $12 million renovation of an aircraft maintenance hangar for the Air National Guard.

In addition, 15th ATHENA Scholarship, a $1,500 one-time award created with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley was presented to Annabelle Himes, a business and human resource management major at Youngstown State University.

Anthem and Blue Cross and Blue Shield also presented for the 10th year two additional scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each to Campbell Memorial High School senior, Jazzlyn Flores and Beaver Local High School senior, Leah Riccardo. Both will be attending YSU after graduation.