As we approach our 14th year of business, we are embarking on some pretty incredible changes...

NEW SPACE

We recently purchased the property at 415 East Main Street to meet our increasing demand for space. We would like to express our gratitude to Zack DeLeon, who helped us find this amazing space; Amanda Everitt and the team at Destination Downtown Lancaster for helping us make our employee "reveal" amazing; Mayor McDaniel and Carrie Woody from the City of Lancaster for welcoming us to town; and Jennifer Sitterley (Sitterley Law), Deb Connell (Lancaster Festival), Amy Eyman (Fairfield County Foundation) and Christine Simmons (United Way of Fairfield County) for taking time to provide a wonderful "housewarming" welcome to us!

While we will not be in Sugar Grove anymore, our hearts will always be there, and we will always be committed to supporting the Berne Union roots upon which our company is founded. This new space will allow us to work more effectively together while also providing spaces for client meetings and education sessions.

Please stay tuned for more information about a ribbon cutting in the fall and ongoing communication education programming that we hope to launch in 2025!

For now, we remain in our current office space, and you will be the first to know (and be invited to the celebration) when we move!

NEW TITLES

Our second announcement is more about aligning our current business practices with our values. For so long, we have referred to our staff as account specialists, account managers and senior account managers. These titles harken back to my days at Cochran Group, which is where several of us cut our teeth in the industry and became the professionals we are today. However, calling our relationships "accounts" does not feel right to us. So, we have made the conscious and intentional decision to reframe our titles to be more reflective of our values.

Our team will now consist of client relations specialists, client relations managers and client relations directors. Additionally, we recognize that we have unique talents within our staff, so we have decided we need to also reflect that in our titles. Temple Custer Montanez has earned the new title of Multi-Media Strategist, which better reflects the contributions she makes to our team, our clients and our community. Of course, this does not change the services we provide or our commitment to our clients in any way. It simply better communicates who we are and what we do for you!

NEW PEOPLE



Lastly, please help us welcome two new associates who will be dedicated to harnessing communication and creativity to connect our community. You can learn more about Courtney and Rachel in the story below.

None of these exciting milestones would be possible without the dedication, loyalty and ongoing support from our clients and community partners. We are absolutely honored to work with all of you, and we cannot adequately express our gratitude for everything YOU have helped to make possible. We look forward to an incredible second half of 2024 in service to you!

With Gratitude,

Angela

Welcome to the Team!

Courtney Wright, Client Relations Director

With a background in both banking and marketing, Courtney brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and creative strategy to her work. She has been described by many as a leader, navigator, and mentor who is kind, thorough, professional, and someone who they can count on.

Courtney graduated from Ohio University Lancaster with a degree in accounting technology. She began her career in business as a community banker in 2007 then embarked on a journey at an accounting firm in Pickerington. Realizing her passion for helping customers in her community, she returned to Lancaster and joined the team at The Savings Bank (formerly, Standing Stone Bank). Courtney climbed the ladder to branch officer by developing skills in customer service, leadership and employee development, business development, and project management.

Courtney is actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Ohio, where she currently serves as board president. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and beautiful sunny days by the pool with her husband, Jon, and daughter, Mia. 

Rachel Swick, Client Relations Specialist

With a meticulous approach and an analytical mindset, Rachel navigates challenges with precision and a calm demeanor. Grounded in a commitment to excellence, she takes a methodical approach to every endeavor, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

Rachel served as Founding Director for State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport’s Brockport Brand Builders. Here, she successfully launched and managed a student-led marketing agency, providing valuable hands-on experience for aspiring marketers. She also managed the social media for SUNY Brockport’s Women’s Gymnastics team for four years, crafting engaging social media content that greatly increased engagement and following.

Rachel is a proud alum of SUNY Brockport, where she graduated with a bachelor of science with a dual degree in marketing and finance and a minor in economics. She was a member of Brockport’s Women’s Gymnastics team for five years, where she was crowned the 2024 NCGA East Regional Uneven Bar Champion and currently holds the school record score on Uneven Bars. This experience taught her the value of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline.

Rachel is a native of Fairfield County and currently resides in Pleasantville, Ohio. In her free time, you can find Rachel hitting the gym, spending quality time with friends and family, or teaching her bunny, Franny, new tricks.

Welcome Baby Steele!

We are so excited to share that Hannah and her family welcomed a sweet baby boy into the world on March 28.

Happy Birthday, Addison!

May your birthday be the start of a year filled with good luck, good health and much happiness.

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