Built on Family. Powered by Community.

Family-owned businesses aren’t a niche.

They are the foundation.

Across Ohio and throughout the country, family businesses drive innovation, create jobs, and build lasting relationships in the communities they serve. They think long-term. They reinvest locally. They care deeply about their employees because, in many cases, employees feel like extended family.

At Ahola, we understand this firsthand — because we are one.

A Family Business Serving Family Businesses

Founded in 1967 by Chet and Rheta Ahola, Ahola has grown from a payroll processing company into a comprehensive provider of payroll, HR, and compliance solutions for small and mid-size businesses. Today, the company is owned and operated by the second and third generations of the Ahola family, with Jeff Ahola serving as Chief Executive Officer, Scott Ahola as Chief Information Officer, and Sonya Ahola James as Executive Vice President. That multi-generational leadership continues to shape how we support employers across Ohio — combining decades of experience with forward-thinking innovation.

Leadership Rooted in Community

Family businesses don’t operate in isolation. They grow within communities — and contribute to them.

CEO Jeff Ahola has been recognized on the Cleveland 500 list for three consecutive years, honoring influential leaders across Northeast Ohio. That recognition reflects more than individual leadership; it highlights the impact of family-owned companies that prioritize long-term stability, innovation, and local engagement.

Ahola was also named a 2025 Family Business Achievement Award Honoree through the Family Business Conference & Achievement Awards — a forum dedicated to helping family enterprises navigate succession, governance, and sustainable growth.

These recognitions aren’t the goal. They’re indicators of something deeper: consistent leadership, responsible growth, and commitment to the regional business community.

The Power of Multi-Generational Leadership

Succession is one of the defining moments for any family business. It can either create uncertainty — or unlock growth.

Sonya Ahola James, a third-generation leader, now serves as Executive Vice President, leading Marketing, Sales, Product, and HR Consulting. Since joining the company in 2017, she has helped expand Ahola’s HR Consulting Division, strengthen strategic partnerships, and modernize the company’s brand and digital presence.

That blend of legacy and forward-thinking leadership reflects what strong family businesses do well: they honor tradition while adapting to modern workforce realities.

Jeff Ahola continues guiding long-term strategy as CEO, while Scott Ahola ensures continued investment in secure, scalable payroll and HR technology as CIO. Together, the second and third generations are building on nearly six decades of family leadership.

Why This Matters for Employers

For small and mid-size businesses, the challenges are real:

• Changing labor laws
• Payroll tax complexity
• Compliance risk
• Competitive benefits expectations
• Workforce documentation and audits

Family businesses often carry these responsibilities personally. The stakes are high because reputations, relationships, and legacies are on the line.

Modern HR and payroll solutions aren’t just operational tools — they protect what families have built.

Built on Trust. Focused on the Future.

Family businesses are the backbone of our economy because they operate differently. They lead with accountability. They think generationally. They build trust that lasts.

At Ahola, that perspective shapes everything we do — from payroll processing and HR consulting to compliance support and technology investment.

Because when you’re a family business serving family businesses, you understand what’s really at stake.