Histories of Success

Rich is a proven leader and executive with an extensive background in both business and nonprofit work. He earned a BS in Education and a MS in Organizational Leadership, applying his studies and skills toward significant changemaking leadership positions around the United States—Rotary Clubs, Housing Authorities, a Community Development Financial Institution, and several select non-profits.  

As the founder of GymBuddys, a youth sports facility; Massa Advisors Corp, a think tank focused on economic growth; and Massa-Homes, a complete real estate service, Rich has excelled at financial operations improvement, mortgage collection management, and construction output. His goals have led to improved financial reporting and diversified income sources for the organizations he serves.

Rich brings both a business perspective and a servant’s heart to his work and has been passionately and consistently involved in community organizations. He has sat on numerous boards including the YMCA and the National Comedy Hall of Fame. 

The proud father of three children and a granddaughter, Rich is happily married to his wife, Tammy, and demonstrates boundless energy and enthusiasm in his mission to serve the community.

Mark C Tribuna is a results-driven executive leader with a strong portfolio of success directing the operations and financial management of mortgage and financial service companies. He excelled at Nation One Mortgage Company, ultimately becoming Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder. In 2007, Mark embraced new challenges, transitioning to high-level executive positions within independent mortgage banks. Possessing both a passion and flare for meaningful change efforts led to the establishment of an affordable mortgage banking subsidiary for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity in 2015. This transformed the affordable housing market and cemented Mark’s influential reputation as both a change agent and visionary leader. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Arrive Home LLC, a Downpayment Assistance (DPA) provider, Mark expertly oversees operations, spearheading ambitious growth strategies and empowers the organization to achieve unprecedented success.

Mark’s unwavering commitment to social impact and grasp of technologies reflects his abilities as a trusted advisor and a catalyst for positive change efforts. Continuously inspiring others and informed by extensive experience, he forges ahead, shaping a better future for others with every step.

Arguably, to be born in Russia and to grow up with a foundation of what fabled Scandinavia has to offer in terms of history and culture may prove to be more than enough to fill anyone’s formative years. Yet graduating from St. Petersburg University with a double MA (Journalism and Languages) in the latter 80s provided substantial exposure to political turmoil, even if one chose to transition from the exciting job of a newspaper reporter to an equally promising, if less dangerous, academic career. The coup of 1991 simply left Russian citizens hoping for a better country with no choice, other than dedicating some part of their lives to the promotion of the ideals they wanted to realize.

Thus, twelve-plus years of professorship at one of Europe’s oldest mining colleges were also filled with projects aimed at building a more open, more unified, and safer world, from something as simple and unsophisticated as designing and printing city maps packed with educational and humorous references to their past to something as challenging and complex as uniting 400 writers, translators, booksellers and publishers from the entire Baltic region, putting them on a cruise liner, and sailing off with them onto a three-week, first-ever International Writers’ Congress. Some of this work continued even after it became painfully clear that those efforts, for the most part, had failed.

His arrival to the US in 1999 was a major turning point—specifically because of joining the American Translators Association (ATA). It provided for new opportunities like working at the Center for Citizen Initiatives for the US Department of State-sponsored Productivity Enhancement Program. At times, when the background in mining and engineering was in greater demand and the projects that were offered appeared to be purely for-profit (having nothing to do with raising public awareness or achieving world peace), forces of nature would intervene to prove that there is always a possibility—and a need—to have these two goals combined, like working for an Exxon/Mobil contractor in Houston during the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Capitalizing on his substantial expertise in mining education, translation, localization, and publishing, Language Freedom, LLC was incorporated in Florida in 2011, providing said and certain other associated and narrowly tailored professional services to many satisfied clients.

Experience The Atlas Group – Real Estate Services Real Estate Agent September 2020 – Present (3 years 2 months) Haines City, Florida, United States City of Ontario City Councilman/ Chairman of Economic Development January 2004 – December 2019 (16 years) Ontario, Ohio, United States Madison Marquette Leasing Manager June 2016 – September 2019 (3 years 4 months) Mansfield, Ohio, United States ONTARIO GROWTH CORP INC Executive Chairman January 2013 – June 2016 (3 years 6 months) Ontario, Ohio, United States Education The Ohio State University

While currently serving in the role of CEO of the Thomasville Humane Society, Mr. Giddes has continued to serve as a regional and state leader regarding best practices for animal welfare and shelter management. He has served in this arena for over a decade, specializing in field services, managed intake, and community relations and education. He is a Rotarian, a Sigma Chi alum, and served with Better Together Georgia as a vice-chair and steering committee member. He has spoken at several conferences across the country on the important roles a shelter or humane society can provide for a community and is a graduate of Best Friend’s Animal Society’s Executive Leadership Cohort Program through the University of Southern Utah. His favorite way to spend time is with his wife, to whom he attributes much of his success, coaching softball with his daughters, fishing with his son, or enjoying the company of his two dogs Ben and Freddy and his two cats Bacon and Rebekah.