GBX Named 5X Recipient of the NorthCoast 99 Award Honoring Great Northeast Ohio Workplaces for Top Talent

GBX Group

August 25, 2025

CLEVELAND, OH – GBX Group LLC has been named a 2025 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council. The NorthCoast 99 award honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. This is the fifth year in a row that GBX Group has received the NorthCoast 99 award.

“We’re ecstatic to be recognized as a 5X NorthCoast 99 award winner. This honor reinforces our confidence that GBX continues to deliver what today’s job seekers value most in a workplace – a culture and a mission that aligns with the skillset of our growing workforce,” said Catherine Zelenkofske, Director of People Operations at GBX. “It shows we’re not only meeting expectations but keeping pace with the evolving needs of top talent.”

NorthCoast 99 winners participated in a rigorous application process that asked for detailed information on how their organization addresses top-performer attraction, development, and retention in the areas of employee engagement and talent development; employee well-being; organizational strategy, policies, and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition, and onboarding; and total rewards.

At GBX, “Total Rewards” for employees include:

Pride in working for a mission-focused organization dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating historic real estate and revitalizing urban neighborhoods across the country;
Volunteer opportunities, including an annual Adopt-A-Family drive to sponsor families’ gifts for Christmas, bike building for Open Doors Academy, and community garden cleanups for Food Strong;
Perks such as complimentary holiday gift wrapping, La Croix stocked fridges, team lunches, holiday focused celebrations and culture building events;

And much more listed in our Culture & Benefits page, where job seekers can apply for open positions to join our team.

“It’s a great feat to be recognized as a five-time NorthCoast 99 winner on the eve of GBX’s 25-year anniversary. Our business model and office environment has evolved a lot since the early days around the kitchen table, but we still run like a family business,” said Drew Sparacia, GBX’s Founder and CEO “This award is a reflection of our culture and a testament to the smart, driven and good people that make GBX such a special place to work. Over the past year, our team has continued to grow, and the insights we gain from the NorthCoast 99 process help us strengthen our workplace and stay competitive with other leading organizations.”

“Winning NorthCoast 99 is not easy. This group of 99 employers is constantly evolving, listening, and responding to the needs and desires of today’s talent. We commend the 2025 winners for setting a benchmark for excellence,” said ERC President and CEO Kelly Keefe.

The 2025 NorthCoast 99 awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CIBC; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Maloney + Novotny; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; and WKYC Studios.

About GBX Group LLC

GBX Group LLC specializes in acquiring, preserving and operating historic real estate in urban markets. The company partners with investors to fund the acquisition and preservation of historic real estate with the goal of generating community revitalization and economic growth. As of January 2025, GBX has been involved in 211 real estate projects in 24 states. For more about GBX, visit gbxgroup.com/  

About ERC

At ERC, we work with leaders to build better workplaces and solve the challenges that don’t come with easy solutions — like pay, employee relations, training, and engagement. For over 100 years, we have been a trusted resource for organizations in Northeast Ohio and around the country. ERC is also the creator of the annual NorthCoast 99 awards program, honoring the 99 highest-ranking workplaces in Northeast Ohio each year. Learn more at yourERC.com.

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Contact: Kelsey Sparacia

Public Affairs & Marketing Associate

kelseysparacia@gbxgroup.com

513-432-6156