business people – Brethren Mutual announces CEO's retirement, appointment of successor

Brethren Mutual Insurance Co. President and CEO Mike Brashears will step down from his leadership position on Dec. 31 after a 44-year career with the company.

The board of directors has appointed Vice President of Underwriting and Marketing Robert F. Glass to succeed Brashears as company president and CEO, effective Jan. 1

During the first three months of 2023, Brashears will serve in an advisory role to ensure a smooth and efficient transition of leadership until his official retirement on April 1, 2023. He will continue his position as a Brethren Mutual board member in retirement.

With an insurance career spanning more than 35 years, Glass was selected for the president and CEO position based his experience, values and leadership skills, the company said in a news release.

Joining Brethren Mutual in October 2017 as the director of underwriting, he was promoted to managing director of underwriting and marketing in November 2018, and he was promoted to the vice president of underwriting and marketing in April 2020.

Established in 1897, Brethren Mutual Insurance Co. is headquartered in Hagerstown.

BCT Wealth Advisors

promotes Owens

BCT Wealth Advisors, a division of Bank of Charles Town, recently announced the promotion of Amber C. Owens to the position of wealth administrator.

Her responsibilities include managing client portfolio processes and transactions. She will report to Leslie Crabill, senior vice president, director of wealth and investments.

Owens has progressed throughout her career at BCT. Starting in 2019, she served as a teller and was promoted to universal banker. Most recently, she was an administrative assistant in BCT Wealth Advisors.

She holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in management and a minor in economics, both from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Adviser receives degree

Financial adviser Katie S. Schwartz has received a bachelor's degree in finance with a concentration in personal financial planning from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa.

Schwartz has been serving as a financial adviser with Edward Jones in her hometown of Hagerstown and the surrounding areas since 2010 with her current office at 1710 Underpass Way, Suite 208.

F&M Trust announces

new hires, promotions

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — F&M Trust recently announced the following hires and promotions:

Chip Wasson has been named commercial services market manager for the Greater Capital Region.

He will be responsible for growing commercial loans, deposits and noninterest income, as well as developing and expanding commercial relationships. He is based at F&M Trust's regional headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa.

Matt Wenger has been hired as a business banker in the West Washington Street Office in Hagerstown.

Wenger will be responsible for developing and managing a business banking portfolio in the Hagerstown market and actively pursuing new business banking opportunities from current and prospective customers.

Selene Stevens has been hired as commercial loan processing manager.

Stevens will be responsible for overseeing the effectiveness of centralized commercial loan documentation procedures, ensuring effective pre-closing and post-closing commercial loan documentation review, administering the real estate appraisal process, and developing procedures implementing the bank's lending policy.

She is based at F&M Trust's corporate headquarters in Chambersburg, Pa.

Shane Duvall has been hired as assistant community office manager for the West Washington Street Office in Hagerstown.

Duvall will lead internal sales activities, promote exceptional customer experiences, and ensure operational standards are upheld. Other duties include opening a variety of consumer and business deposit accounts, taking consumer loan applications, referring customers for other bank products and services, and promoting team sales success within the office.

Terin House has been hired as assistant community office manager for the Greencastle, Pa., community office.

House will lead internal sales activities, promote exceptional customer experiences, and ensure operational standards are upheld. Other duties include opening a variety of consumer and business deposit accounts, taking consumer loan applications, referring customers for other bank products and services, and promoting team sales success within the office.

Also:

Briana Fullerton has been hired as a financial services representative for the Waynesboro Community Office.

Cassidy Garner has been hired as a financial services representative for the McConnellsburg, Pa., Community Office.

Charity Gress has been hired as a financial services representative for the Greencastle Community Office.

Steven Haluck has been hired as a financial services representative for the Memorial Square Office in Chambersburg.

Chris Heebner has been hired as facilities technician, will perform a variety of duties related to the maintenance of bank facilities. He will be based at the corporate headquarters in Chambersburg, Pa.

Katherine Hershey has been hired as a financial services representative for the Norland Avenue Community Office.

Jasmine Hockenberry has been hired as a financial services representative in the Philadelphia Avenue Community Office.

Candice McMath has been hired as a financial services representative for the Memorial Square Office in Chambersburg.

Keiya Mobley has been hired as a financial services representative for the Orchard Park Community Office.

Kayla Olden has been hired as a financial services representative for the Greencastle Community Office.

Stefano Cucuzza has been promoted to assistant community office manager for the Philadelphia Avenue Community Office.

Zach Hendricks has been promoted to lead financial services representative for the West Side Community Office.

Kim Moyer has been promoted to assistant community office manager for the Shippensburg, Pa., Community Office.

Mike Lewis covers business, the economy and other issues. Follow Mike on Twitter: @MiLewis.