MBA graduate retires after a successful career in addictions counseling
After researching several MBA programs, Ashland University quickly became the best choice for Tom Stuber.
“I had completed a Clinical Master’s program and Ashland was willing to give me credit for several of the research and statistics courses I had completed in that program,” Stuber said. “Most others were not that flexible or customer friendly.”
That decision more than 20 years ago, helped Stuber continue to build on a more-than-40-year successful career in addictions counseling.
Stuber recently retired, leaving behind an impressive resume in his chosen career field, including serving from 1999 to 2021 as president and CEO of The LCADA Way, a nonprofit alcohol and drug prevention and treatment agency in Lorain, Cuyahoga and Erie counties; being a sought-after expert and speaker in the field of addiction who has been recognized with numerous national, state and local awards for advocacy and leadership; and participating in many community organizations.
“Tom will certainly be missed,” said Dan Haight, current president and CEO of The LCADA Way, in a news release from the nonprofit to announce Stuber's retirement. “His passion for this field is second to none. He is a mentor to many, including myself, and will always be known for fighting for the rights of those suffering from the disease of addiction.”
During his tenure as president and CEO, Stuber took The LCADA Way to a higher level of customer service to ensure customers don’t feel like they are “less than” just because they suffer with the disease of addiction, according to the release.
A high level of customer service was one of the many things Stuber said he liked about Ashland’s MBA program.
“Ashland offered the MBA through satellite classes, so I was able to take a majority of my classes in Medina, which was much closer than going all the way to Ashland. I was living in Mentor at the time,” Stuber said. “Again, this was customer friendly.”
Specifically, Stuber said he found his finance class very helpful and the overall program greatly beneficial to his career.
“It only heightened my appreciation for Ashland being customer-friendly and service-orientated,” Stuber said about Ashland’s MBA program.
Because of that, he has recommended AU to many people looking to earn an MBA, said Stuber, who looks forward to traveling and spending more time on the tennis and pickleball courts in retirement, as well as enjoying being with his wife of 49 years, two children and three grandchildren.
“I have always shared AU’s flexibility and their willingness to accommodate the student,” he said.