The Economic Roundtable (ERT) of the Ohio Valley will launch its 2025-26 programming this fall, bringing together national leaders in sports, film, and business to the Mid-Ohio Valley for a series of luncheons and business Q&A sessions.
“The Economic Roundtable is proud to partner with Marietta College to provide students and community members direct access to leaders who are shaping their industries,” said Dr. Greg Delemeester, McCoy Professor and Milton Friedman Chair of Business & Economics. “Our campus Business Q&As and ERT luncheons give participants an invaluable opportunity to engage with national experts in sports, film, and business while also strengthening the Mid-Ohio Valley’s ties to broader national conversations.” Dr. Delemeester serves as Vice President of Programs for ERT.
Each luncheon program will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. and is open to Economic Roundtable members and their guests. In addition to the luncheons, each speaker will host a Business Q&A session the evening before their luncheon in Marietta College’s Thomas Hall, Cooper Auditorium (Room 124). These sessions, scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m., are free and open to students, faculty, and the community.
The series kicks off on Sept. 3 with Dr. B. David Ridpath, Professor of Sport Business at Ohio University, who will speak on the topic of “New Strategies for American Sport Development post NILs and House Settlement” at the Parkersburg Country Club in Vienna, West Virginia.
Ridpath, a nationally recognized expert on NCAA and intercollegiate athletic policy, has testified before Congress, served as an expert witness in several cases, and is widely cited by major media outlets, including The New York Times, Time, CNN and ESPN. He has authored more than 30 academic journal articles, 10 academic book chapters and two books. Dr. Ridpath’s third forthcoming book, “Reclaiming American Sport Development: New Strategies for Educational and Elite Sport Pathways”, scheduled for release in 2026.
On Sept. 24, ERT will welcome Will Wedig, an award-winning filmmaker and Marietta native, with credits spanning Netflix, Lionsgate, PBS documentaries, and major brands such as Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Walmart and Geico. Wedig earned his BFA in film from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His films have been screened at major festivals, and his screenplay “The Devil's Chasing Me” recently advanced to the top 1.5% in multiple international contests. He will speak on the topic of “Independent Film Financing for the Mid-Ohio Valley” at the Tower Event Center in Marietta, Ohio.
The fall series will conclude on Oct. 22 with Mike Salvino ‘87, retired chairman, president and CEO of DXC Technology and a proud Marietta College alumnus. Salvino led DXC, a Fortune 500 IT services company, through a major transformation, significantly increasing shareholder returns while strengthening teams and customer relationships worldwide. A former Marietta College trustee and honorary doctorate recipient, Salvino has also held senior leadership roles at Accenture and Carrick Capital Partners. He will speak on the topic of “Softer Side Skills of Business Leadership.” (Location to be determined.)
“The Economic Roundtable is proud to partner with Marietta College to provide students and community members direct access to leaders who are shaping their industries,” said Dr. Greg Delemeester, McCoy Professor and Milton Friedman Chair of Business & Economics. “Our campus Business Q&As and ERT luncheons give participants an invaluable opportunity to engage with national experts in sports, film, and business while also strengthening the Mid-Ohio Valley’s ties to broader national conversations.” Dr. Delemeester serves as Vice President of Programs for ERT.
Each luncheon program will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. and is open to Economic Roundtable members and guests. In addition to the luncheons, each speaker will host a Business Q&A session the evening before their luncheon in Marietta College’s Thomas Hall, Cooper Auditorium (Room 124). These sessions, scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m., are free and open to students, faculty, and the community.