Susan Hamo

Susan L. Hamo 63 of Akron OH died Monday February 20 2012 in the Cleveland Clinic after a courageous fight against cancer. Born in Pittsburgh PA June 6 1948 to Jerry & Jack Smith Susan was a devoted and nurturing wife mother sister aunt and friend. From an early age Susan had an unbridled passion for life and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She was an avid reader - a phenomenal cook and baker - a gracious hostess to family and friends - a lover of animals (adopting several beloved pets from rescue shelters) - a seasoned traveler (enjoying trips to Las Vegas and a new-found love for Caribbean cruises) - a teller of stories (no one had her talent for weaving a story with outrageously self-deprecating humor and comical antics) - a tremendously strong woman with an equally gentle heart (self-admittedly... movie trailers holiday music and talk of family/friends would make her eyes immediately swell with tears) - but most importantly Susan was honest to a fault forgiving and as loyal a person as anyone could possibly be. Susan began her professional career in 1984 as a sales manager for the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). In 1990 Susan was promoted to Vice President of Sales & Marketing and in 1993 she was named President. In 1995 when the operations of the John S. Knight Center were consolidated with the CVB Susan was also named President of the Center. In August of 2009 she also assumed oversight of Greystone Hall. Throughout her career Susan generously gave her time to a wide variety of community organizations including: American Cancer Society Weaver Industries Akron Civic Theatre and Downtown Akron Partnership. Within her professional capacity Susan served in a number of leadership positions including: President Ohio Travel Association; President Ohio Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus; Board Member International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus; Board Member of the Ohio Society of Association Executives; & member of the Blue Coats of Summit County since 1999. Additionally Susan was appointed by Tom Sawyer as a delegate to the White House Conference on Tourism in 1995; appointed to the 1997 Governor's Travel Industry Council; & invited to sit on Governor Taft's Travel Advisory Council in 2002-2003. In June 2011 she was appointed to the Association of Ohio Commodores by Governor John Kasich. Susan received key industry awards including: Donald L. Patterson Award of Excellence & Paul Sherlock Award. She was profiled in Crain's Cleveland Business' 'Women of Influence ' and was named among the 'Power 100' of Northeast Ohio by Inside Business Magazine from 2005-2010. Susan is loved and survived by her husband Ronald Hamo and children Beth Hamo and R.J. Hamo of Akron OH; sister Jackie Conte of Akron OH; brother-in-law Peter Hamo and his wife Sandy of Mentor OH; nephews Chip Hamo of Akron Tom Hamo of South Carolina Mark Hamo (deceased) Dominic Conte and Michael Conte of Akron OH; cousins Peter Gitnik and Paul Gitnik both of Pittsburgh PA; and a legion of admiring friends and colleagues. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday Feb 28 2012 at her beloved John S. Knight Center (77 E. Mill Street Akron OH 44308) from 3pm to 7pm. A private graveside burial is also planned. The family requests donations to be sent to The Susan L. Hamo Memorial Foundation in care of: PNC Bank 2900 W. Market Street Akron OH 44333.