Muskingum University Convocation features address by 1975 alumnus Frank Festi, Jr.

Muskingum University held its Convocation on August 28, featuring an address by 1975 alumnus Frank Festi, Jr. 

In his address, Mr. Festi told the students, “A worthy goal for your time at Muskingum is to build a better you so you can build a better world.  This campus has changed, but the bedrock of a Muskingum education has not.  Take advantage of everything this experience has to offer.  Be honest, be positive and believe in yourself.”

Mr. Festi is executive principal of Rea & Associates, a leading Ohio accounting and consulting firm.  Since 1938, Rea & Associates has advised closely-held private companies and prominent individuals.  Today the firm has 11 locations and a staff of more than 200 professionals. 

Since joining Rea in 1976, Mr. Festi has guided clients of the firm’s Medina office with personal financial planning and tax and business consulting.  He has been a Rea partner since 1981, and is a certified public accountant and a certified financial planner. He has led his professional colleagues as a 30-year member of the board of directors of the Ohio Society of CPAs, and is active with the American Institute of CPAs and the Financial Planning Association.

Mr. Festi is a dedicated volunteer leader on behalf of education, the arts, community service and economic development.  He helped found, and served as president of, the Medina City School Foundation and the Medina County Performing Arts Foundation; has been president of the Medina County Economic Development Corporation, the Rotary Club, the Medina Jaycees and the YMCA.  He has also chaired fundraising for the United Way. He was recognized with the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award for his commitment to improving the quality of life in his community.

Mr. Festi is a native of Dover, Ohio.  He graduated from Muskingum in 1975 with a bachelor of arts degree in Economics.  A varsity football player, he was also an active student leader, resident assistant and resident director.

He and his wife, Spring Sardelli Festi, a 1976 Muskingum alumna, reside in Medina. They are the parents of Tiffany and Mark, and the grandparents of 17-month-old Anna.