The state has attracted companies and talent from around the world in the development and manufacturing of high-tech, advanced technology, preparing the state to become a global hub for the instrument, controls and electronics industry.

Ohio's leadership in instruments, controls and electronics spans the high-tech industry. For example, Parma, Ohio-based GrafTech International has developed a high-tech microns-thin material to dissipate heat in smart phones. YSI, Inc., an international company based in Yellow Springs, Ohio with revenues of about $100 million, has created sensors that can measure oxygen and particles leading to algae blooms.

Innovative programs support Ohio's high-tech industry, such as the Ohio Third Frontier. The program promotes economic growth by expanding the availability of investment capital needed to form new companies, supporting product innovation in established companies, facilitating commercialization of new products, funding collaborative projects between private companies and Ohio colleges and universities and nurturing Ohio's increasingly experienced pool of entrepreneurial management.

The state’s talented workforce and strengths in manufacturing make the state the ideal global hub for the instruments, controls and electronics industry. In addition, Ohio's offers low-cost, low stress communities in a combination of micropolitan and metropolitan cities. This diversity provides executives the resources and time to make any ambition achievable. Ohio truly is the State of Perfect Balance.

“Doing business with local banks who understand manufacturing and its product cycle has been very helpful for French Oil’s success,” says Daniel P. French, Chairman of the Board and President of French Oil. “Also, having access to Ohio-based advisors with worldwide experience and international contacts has been very beneficial to company growth.”

The French Oil Mill Machinery Company was started by French’s grandfather, Alfred Willard French, in 1900 to serve the linseed oil industry. Several of Piqua’s leading citizens put up the original seed capital support. While linseed oil is not widely used anymore, French Oil is still going strong, thanks to innovative technologies that have branched out over the years to serve all the various vegetable oilseeds and industries as diverse as the rubber and aerospace sectors, with strong support from Ohio’s business community.

“Our customers from many other cities and countries visit Piqua and they all remark on what a comfortable, attractive and pleasant community we have,” says French. “Among other reasons, they want to do business with our company so they can visit Ohio again in the future.”

Read the rest of French's story about Ohio being a great state for business and family.

In a world where companies start and fail rapidly, sustained success is a remarkable accomplishment that offers important lessons. I wanted to understand how being in Ohio has uniquely contributed to Cooper Farms' amazing track record. To steal a phrase from the book Built to Last, I was eager to talk with Gary Cooper (VP and COO) and learn how he is "building a clock versus simply keeping time."

Q: Gary, how does being located in Ohio contribute to Cooper Farms' success?

A: The first thing that comes to mind is people. In Ohio, we have found some of the most amazing people. The employees of our company share Midwest farm values of honesty, trustworthiness, common sense and family traditions. I know, without question, that every Cooper Farms associate comes to work each and every day with the goals of doing what is right and contributing their best. I appreciate that this may be the expectation every company has of its employees. But, I also know it is the rare executive who can legitimately claim that the expectation is reality. Ohio people give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay and take great pride in doing the job right. We have friendly, caring people who are more like family than employees.

Read the rest of my interview with Gary.

Ohio offers executives, their families and the employees they lead low-cost, low stress communities, providing the resources and time to make any ambition achievable. Combined with the state's friendly business climate, low cost of living, short commutes and abundant recreational resources, Ohio creates a unique opportunity to achieve work-life balance.

Yet, many believe you can't have a successful career without sacrificing your personal life. Leading Ohio executives have proved this wrong and have found their perfect balance in Ohio.

Dr. Mark Laskovics, president and chief operating officer of Girindus America Inc. in Cincinnati, knows it takes the right combination of people, education and environment to build a successful business - but that's not all. Dr. Laskovics relishes the relaxed pace and focus on family in Ohio.

"The convenience of living in Ohio - where entertainment, professional sports and your home are accessible and affordable - makes it easy for me to waste no time and live life to its fullest," he shared.

For Linda Abraham-Silver, president and CEO of the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland - Ohio provides access to life. "In L.A. you live to work. In Ohio, you work...and still have time to live."

Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite® Group in Columbus, believes Ohio has attributed to his personal and professional success. "Midwest values really are Ohio's strength - this is a perfect match for Safelite and for me," said Feeney. "So much of where you live is made up of the people you meet and the people you work for. Living in Ohio has allowed me the time to achieve both professional and personal aspirations."

The state offers businesses many unique qualities that contribute to personal balance and, ultimately, optimal business performance. Company executives invest here because Ohio offers a perfect balance between work and life unlike anywhere else. Employees and their families can achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. The low cost of living and short commute time provides the flexibility to afford the life you want you and your family to enjoy. Read more stories of executives who have found their perfect balance in Ohio.

The same goes for Ohio executives' families and the employees they lead. Work-life balance means opportunity - the opportunity to achieve professional success and still have personal happiness, to grow a successful business and still have time to put dinner on the table or to achieve optimal business performance. Ohio delivers a fulfilling life with friends and family.

Top-level executives who have a true work:life balance will perform better at their jobs and the company will only achieve greater success. Ohio offers low-cost, low stress communities in a combination of micropolitan and metropolitan cities. This diversity provides executives the resources and time to make any ambition achievable.

Forbes recently recognized three Ohio cities on their list of 15 metros offering residents the most affordable combinations of home prices, living costs and salaries for college graduates: Cincinnati ranked number 5, Cleveland ranked number 8 and Columbus ranked number 12.

Many successful companies and executives have found their state of perfect balance in Ohio. Find out why they call Ohio home.