Four Ship alumni were named in the Central Penn Business Journal’s annual Forty Under 40 awards for 2020. The Forty Under 40 awards recognize Central PA’s leaders who are 40 years old or younger based on their professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to inspiring change. They are selected by an outside panel of judges that includes previous winners.

The Central Penn Business Journal will recognize these Ship grads and other award recipients with a virtual event on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Join us in celebrating these outstanding young business leaders on the virtual stage. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the program with their congratulations and cheers using their social media platforms from their home or office. Purchase tickets to the 2020 CPBJ Forty Under 40 Awards here.

Congrats to the following Shippensburg University alumni:

Catherine (Brackin) Azeles ’06, CFP®

Conrad Siegel
B.S.B.A marketing, 2006

As an Investment Consultant, Azeles specializes in comprehensive financial planning where she partners with clients through the different stages of retirement planning, investment management, risk mitigation strategy and estate preservation planning. Azeles’s passion for finance started at a young age after witnessing firsthand the pressure that finances can put on an individual and their families. She put that passion to work and started assisting families with finances over 14 years ago after graduating from Shippensburg University with a degree in marketing. As a Certified Financial Planner® professional, Azeles brings one of the industry’s top credentials to the firm.

Although her two young children, Ella and Cameron, her husband, Matt, and her dog keep her pretty busy most days, Azeles feels a strong commitment to the community and giving back through organizations such as Leadership Harrisburg Area and the Homes for Heroes program. She provides education to the community through her involvement with the United Way’s Women’s Leadership Network and the Investment Committee for The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Fueled by her desire to educate others, Azeles has also been featured in the media on both Fox 43 Morning News and WITF Smart Talk.

Rebecca (Howell) Foote ’04

Foote Capital Mortgage Company
B.S.B.A marketing, 2004

As a veteran banker, Foote understands the importance of personalized service and attention to detail. When advising her clients on financing their dream home, she puts her clients at ease through her understanding and patience.

Foote has widespread knowledge of mortgage lending and attributes her success to providing the highest level of personalized service to each of her clients specific needs, whether they are building, purchasing or refinancing a home.

Rebecca sits as Vice-Chairman of the advisory board for the Salvation Army in Carlisle and is involved with the Cumberland County Young Professionals, Junior Achievement, West Shore Chamber of Commerce, Carlisle Chamber of Commerce as well as other non-profits.

Ashley M. (Elder) Hershey ’13-’15M, CPA, CITP, MBA

Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz (BSSF)
B.S. accounting and personal finance planning, 2013
M.B.A. master of business administration, 2015

Hershey has over seven years of public accounting experience with extensive experience in financial statement services, tax services, and consulting services. She specializes in performing financial statement services ranging from audits to preparation engagements for local governments, nonprofits, and closely held companies. Additionally, Hershey assists businesses, individuals, and nonprofits with federal, state, and local Income tax filings, with a specialization in the complex areas of Form 990’s required to be filed for nonprofit organizations.

Hershey is a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP). This credential identifies professional accountants with the unique ability to provide business insight by leveraging knowledge of information relationships and supporting technologies.

Hershey lives in New Oxford with her husband Cassidy.  She serves at the Asst. Treasurer for the Visiting Nurses Association of Hanover & Spring Grove. She additionally holds board seats with the VNA Endowment Board, the New Oxford Chamber of Commerce, and the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brent Smith ’08M

LINKBANK
M.B.A master of business administration, 2008

Brent Smith currently serves as president of LINKBANK, formed in 2018 with a mission of positively impacting people’s lives through community banking in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Smith previously served as Sunshine Bank’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. At Sunshine, Smith led his team in growth initiatives that grew the bank from five branches to 18 branches, all while over quadrupling the asset size of Sunshine Bank. Prior to joining Sunshine Bank, he was vice president and director of brokerage services at Susquehanna Bank.

Smith also remains involved and engaged in his community serving as a Board Member Brethren of Christ congregation, The Meeting House. He sits on the Board and acts as treasurer of the Brethren Housing Association, a Harrisburg based nonprofit for homeless women and children. Smith also sits on the board of Rider Musser Corporation, a Messiah College affiliated development company.