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Bringing Knowledge, Experience, & Passion

To Your Table

Executive Staff

Mark Small

Mark Small, Owner / President

His personality fills a room, his laughter lifting its occupants, his excitement contagious. There is nothing small about him, other than his name. Everything Mark Small does is big. Forty years ago he assumed the financial leadership of a Mentor, Ohio, construction company founded by his father. Along with his four brothers, they grew Cleveland Construction Inc. into a national firm employing hundreds, with multiple offices in several states

Relying on hard work, on-the-job training, and his natural business acumen, Mark successfully oversaw all phases of Cleveland Construction’s accounting, insurance, bonding, self-insured programs, banking, and financial risk management while actively participating in business development and project administration. And, as he has been quoted saying, “I’m also the person who put out fires!”


In 1996, Mark served as president of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, a national U.S. trade association of 69 chapters with more than 22,000 commercial contractors and construction-related firms among its members representing the construction industry. He later served as the national executive vice president for the ABC, winning the group’s Contractor of the Year award in 2003. Mark also served on the following boards, including acting as the Chairman to: Construction Legal Rights Foundation; Trimmer Education Scholarship Foundation; National Center for Construction Education and Research and participated is a board member of Lake Hospital; Richard G. Small Foundation. At age 36, Mark was listed by Cleveland Crain’s as a 40-Under-40 recipient.

Lauded for his leadership in several educational foundations, and philanthropy for youth-oriented concerns, Mark also pursues his avid interest in offshore racing as owner of the Cleveland Construction offshore racing team.

Mark brings his larger-than-life approach to A Cut Above, employing his years of financial experience and business leadership to assemble a top-notch team offering top-quality meat and provisions in a top-of-the-line facility.

Jeff Sternshein, Sr.

Jeff Sternshein, Sr., Executive Chef

Upon graduating from the Florida Culinary Institute with an Associates of Science Degree in Culinary Arts, Jeff began a 28-year career encompassing hotel and airport food service, private club food service, and catering. In management positions as Executive Chef or Food and Beverage Director for various entities, Jeff garnered experience in budgeting, capital improvement planning, and employee training and retention, along with traditional culinary tasks such as concept planning and menu development.

For several years he owned and operated Marc Jeffries Catering, skillfully handling groups of up to 2,000. Jeff attended to all aspects of concept development, client relations, and event execution.

A decade spent at Fort Lauderdale’s Tower Club honed his management skills as he was responsible for all aspects of the operation. During his tenure there he was awarded ClubCorp’s Rising Star Award and its Superstar Award.

Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson, Lead Butcher

Jim Johnson is a native Floridian and true to Florida style, he got his career start at Publix at age 14. He started in the meat department at age 16 following in the footsteps of his Aunt and Uncle who were both working in Publix's meat department. At age 18, he started cutting meat and was promoted to assistant manager at age 19. He went on to become a manager and spent 33 years at Publix learning all things meat. He has worked as a Butcher Manager at several other markets and establishments before joining us this year. He especially loves training and educating people on proper ways to cut and merchandize meat.