All aboard! Our annual Canal Boat Captain's Ball raises imperative funds to support our mission of developing, maintaining and activating the Ohio & Erie Canalway, Towpath Trail, connector trails and public spaces. We establish support for the protection, preservation, development and enhancement of the historical, natural and recreational resources along the route of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.
2026 Virtual Auction Fundraiser: May 4 - May 11
Register an account and sign up to receive auction notifications! Get notified when the auction opens, when you've been outbid, and before the auction closes. The Virtual Auction will go live at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4 and will close at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11. Bid high and bid often for your chance to take home some great packages and experiences!
Canal Boat Captain
Each year, a community leader is honored for their exemplary dedication and commitment to their community within the Ohio & Erie Canalway. Our 2026 honorary Canal Boat Captain is Ronald Paydo, Akron/Canton Market President of Huntington Bank!
About Ron
Ron serves as Market President for Huntington Bank's Akron/Canton area, driving Huntington's people-first and customer-centered vision in the market by putting our colleagues and customers at the center of everything we do.
Ron has been with Huntington or previous banks since 1987, when he began his banking career as a Management Trainee with Old Phoenix National Bank. Ron was a Regional President for FirstMerit covering Medina, Richland, and Ashland counties, before becoming the Director of Small Business Banking until 2016. He became the Area Manager for Canton, Akron, and the Mahoning Valley upon the FirstMerit merger with Huntington. During his tenure, he's held regional leadership roles since the merger.
Ron is very active in the community and serves on several boards, including the Team NEO; Downtown Akron Development Corporation; Akron Community Foundation; Great Trail Council; Scouting America; Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce; Black Chamver of Commerce, Summit County; Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce; Medina Hospital/Cleveland Clinic; Salvation Army Wadsworth Corp; United Way of Summit & Medina; and Portage Path Behavioral Health. He was a founding board member of the Blue Coats and Mainstreet Wadsworth organizations.
Active in mentoring youth, Ron and his wife Kathleen have fostered more than 200 children. Together, they also hosted seven exchange students through the local Rotary Club. Ron lives in Wadsworth, Ohio with his family.
If you are interested in supporting the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition year-round as a member of the organization, please click the link below to learn about membership opportunities.