SpringfieldNewsSun.com

SPRINGFIELD — Debra Miller Penzone, a 1985 graduate of Catholic Central High School, has been named president of the Columbus area Charles Penzone family of salons and spas.

Penzone has been with the company for 21 years, joining soon after she left town for the Ohio State School of Cosmetology. Penzone married the business's founder, Charles Penzone, 10 years ago.

"I worked my way up from assistant to hair designer to senior director, then I became the training director for the entire company," Penzone said.

While serving as the company's senior vice president, Penzone and her husband began to discuss the future of the company and the roles each would play.

"It was a two-year transition process that was just announced. He will now focus on strategic planning and I'll handle the day-to-day operations," she said.

That means Penzone will now oversee the company's eight salons, all of which are in the Columbus area, and more than 620 full and part-time employees.

Earlier this year, Penzone established Debra Penzone, LLC, a corporation that allows her to offer public speaking, training and consulting to support women in the improvement of mind, body and spirit.

"It was a dream to set up a foundation that would stand the test of time," she said. All proceeds from her speaking and consulting are channeled back into the foundation. A personal focus is supporting women who have experienced cancer, working to help them deal with the emotional and physical manifestations of the disease, specifically hair loss and skin care problems.

Penzone joined the 'Look good, feel better' organization sponsored in part by the American Cancer Society more than a decade ago.

"This has become a wonderful support group where women can come spend time with others who have experienced the same thing. And, we can help them look better, which allows them feel better about themselves," she said.

Even though the majority of her time is spent in Columbus, Penzone still finds time to get home to visit her parents, Richard and Mary Beth Miller.

"I was always so lucky," she said, "to have the love and support of my parents as I pursued my passion."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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