Lindy Karns, CPA | Tax Director | Blue & Co., LLC | 859.253.1100
“After a short stint in human services, I took the only open summer class I could find: accounting,” Lindy said. “The instructor said accounting was boring and difficult, which is why people might pay you to do it!” Since then, Lindy has found that the world of finance is more exciting than her instructor made it seem. Over the years, she has cultivated caring, reciprocal relationships with her clients. She has worked as a tax professional for 35 years for non-profits, family businesses and closely held companies and their owners. A wife, mother and grandmother, Lindy is active with several community organizations.
Jennifer Miloszewski | Audit Senior Manager | Blue & Co., LLC | 859.410.2380
After graduating from Villanova University with a B.S. in Accountancy, Jennifer began her career in public accounting with a large, international firm in Philadelphia. A native of Lexington, she returned home to Kentucky to work for her family’s mechanical contracting business. While working for her family’s business for five years, Jennifer found herself missing many of the aspects of her public accounting career, so she joined Blue & Co. Jennifer’s clients are her biggest motivators. She takes great pride knowing that she has done something to make their lives easier or given them one less thing to worry about.
Jennifer is on the Finance Council of St. Paul Catholic Church. She is also a board member of the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross, committee member of the American Cancer Society Central Kentucky Golf Tournament, and treasurer for South Hill Crossing Townhouses Association. She enjoys running, cooking, reading and travel. She and her husband have a daughter.
Magda L. Perez | Relationship Manager | Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co. | 859.233.4500
When Magda’s husband joined the Air Force and then the Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Prisons), she followed him around the globe for 30 years. Twelve years ago, when they moved to Lexington, she started as a bank teller and worked her way up to Associate Private Banker. Now, as a Relationship Manager in Wealth Management, Magda is doing what she loves by helping people achieve their financial and retirement goals.
With more than 11 years in the financial industry, Magda helps high-net-worth individuals with banking, lending, investments and retirement planning needs. She takes pride in going above and beyond for her clients.
She recently joined Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co. because of their commitment to customer service. “At Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co., great customer service drives everything we do,” says Magda. “We provide one-on-one personal attention, which every client deserves. We take the time to truly listen to and understand our clients and their goals.”
Magda is extremely loyal. When she decided to leave a previous employer, she admits that professionally, it was the most difficult decision she has ever had to make. However, leaving turned out to be the right decision at the time.
In good weather, you can often find Magda reading by a river or a stream, while her husband, now retired, does some fly fishing. With her free time, she also likes to cook, bake and golf.
Kristen Wells | Treasury Management Officer, Vice President | Forcht Bank | 502.261.2531
For the past 15 years, Kristen has worked in business development and client relations in the financial and medical industries. She has always had a passion for banking and was thrilled to join Forcht Bank in February 2015. As a treasury management officer, she is able to do what she is most passionate about, which is a mixture of sales, operations and client relations. Every client she meets has a different story with unique needs, and she enjoys finding ways to help streamline their daily banking activities.
Kristen has a B.A. in Marketing from McKendree University and she and her husband have three sons. When time allows, she loves to garden, cook and spend quality time with family and friends. Her favorite travel destination is New York to visit her sister and her sister’s family.
Susan Dean | Vice President | Kentucky Bank | 859.575.6436
With over 30 years of banking experience, Susan brought cumulative knowledge and experience to her position at Kentucky Bank as a commercial banker and Vice President. She has seen many changes in the industry but has never lost her passion for working hard for her clients.
Susan graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and the Graduate School of Banking at University of Wisconsin--Madison. She understands the value of being active in the community and has served on several boards. Currently, Susan is Treasurer for Women Leading Kentucky and a Board Member of the American Red Cross. She also was a former Board Member and President of the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation and former Treasurer for the Girl Scouts. She and her husband have two children and a dog.
Dana S. Branham | LPL Financial Advisor | Lasting Legacy Wealth Management | 859.705.3416
Dana’s mission at Lasting Legacy Wealth Management, which she started in 2012, is to help create lasting legacies of wealth through strategic financial planning. Dana’s goal is for families to secure themselves financially for generations to come. She specializes in retirement planning, insurance (life, disability and long-term care), and investing for education and other goals.
A native of Lexington, Dana is an active member of the community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, which keeps her involved in the community through numerous service activities. She currently serves on the planning committee for the Lexington Minority Business Expo and as Chairman of the Board for the Pearls of Service Foundation. Recently, radio host on Lexington Community Radio has been added to Dana’s repertoire, which combines her love of music and talking to interesting people.
At Peoples Exchange Bank, Rebekah Cox has continued the kind of work that has defined her 15-year career in banking. She has a positive, confident attitude, high level of drive and knows how to problem solve.
Rebekah began her career in banking working part-time through college. Since then she has been helping others achieve their financial goals. She enjoys working with customers seeking to buy a home and those wanting to start or grow their business. Rebekah believes that with the right attitude, tools, support and guidance anyone can be successful.
Rebekah is active in industry groups and mentorship roles and enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. Her two sons are her greatest accomplishment and no matter what success she has in life, nothing will compare to the pride she feels for them.
Cindy C. Burton | Senior Vice President, Lending | Bank of Lexington | 859.219.2900
With 28 years of experience, seven of which have been with Bank of Lexington, Cindy knows that borrowing money can be intimidating. As a personal banker, a majority of Cindy’s time is spent lending money for business or personal use. Her goal is to help her clients accomplish their dreams – whether it is buying their first home or adding to their rental portfolio. She considers herself an advisor to her clients and appreciates it when they call to ask her advice or opinion on financial matters.
Married to her high school sweetheart for 25 years, Cindy and her husband have three daughters. Cindy is planning on running her first half marathon this springs and enjoys working on one of the many projects involved with living in a 200-year-old home.
Julie Childress | Vice President | Bank of Lexington | 859.219.2900
Originally, Julie thought that she would be a teacher. However, after moving to Guam in 1983, she worked as a bank teller and realized that she loved the work. She worked as a teller for several years before she was promoted to bank manager and then lender. With more than 30 years of experience, Julie takes pride in providing excellent and personal service to everyone she meets. Working at a community bank allows her to stay connected to clients and offer superb products and services. As a Vice President, she focuses on retail, secondary market and commercial lending.
Julie grew up in Louisville, but has lived in Lexington since 1990. She is a self-proclaimed DIY (do-it-yourself) enthusiast – she enjoys fixing old houses, and repurposing wood and other items to make fixtures and furniture. She and her husband have four children and three grandchildren.
Sarah Jefferson | Cash Management Director Traditional Bank, Inc. | 859.469.7404
Sarah works with large commercial clients to help them efficiently manage their cash and maximize their resources. Sarah provides online solutions such as direct deposit payroll, ACH, wire transfers, sub-user administration, positive pay reconciliation and other time-saving tools. She also educates clients on their investment account options to help them get more from their deposit account structure.
With ongoing support from her CEO, President and Chief Lending Officer, Sarah has developed her role from cash management officer into a director level position. As director, she has helped create two new cash management positions for other high-potential team members and has grown the department to better serve the clients’ needs, which she says has been most rewarding.
With more than 13 years of banking experience (ten of which have been at Traditional Bank), Sarah has spent the last seven years focused exclusively on cash management and commercial banking. “The term ‘cash management’ is such a broad concept,” she says. “It means different things to different people depending on the size and breadth of their business. When I succeed at my job, people spend less time thinking about their banking and more time growing their business. That’s a win-win.”
A native of Mt. Sterling, Ky., Sarah attended Eastern Kentucky University. Her hobbies include traveling, watching University of Kentucky athletics and spending time with friends and family. Never wanting to let anyone down, Sarah is motivated by having people count on her – including her family. Sarah strives in all she does to be a good example to her daughter and son.
At Unified Trust, an independent national trust company that accepts fiduciary liability, Angela’s priority is her clients’ needs. With 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, and more than 14 years with Unified Trust, Angela’s expertise is comprehensive financial planning. She helps her clients with financial planning, retirement income planning, estate planning, investment management, tax planning, charitable planning, trust arrangements and fiduciary services for endowments and foundations. Angela believes that everyone can benefit from financial planning, regardless of what stage of life you are in or how much money you have.
After obtaining a marketing degree from the University of Kentucky, Angela started her investment career with Fifth Third Bank before accepting an Investment Advisor position with Charles Schwab. These experiences prepared her to complete her MBA at the University of Kentucky. Then in 2001, Angela started her career at Unified Trust. A native of Lexington, Angela and her husband have two sons.
Gesela F. Brown | Mortgage Loan Officer, First Security Bank | 859.899.8880 | NMLS: #435965
Originally from Huntington, W. Va., Gesela has lived in Lexington for over 30 years and considers herself a true blue Lexingtonian. She has built her business as a mortgage loan officer based on dedication to great customer service. With 25 years in the business, she is passionate about her career and is always looking for opportunities to improve her business. Working with the consumer and realtor, Gesela wants the value of customer service to be immeasurable. Her goal is to create a specialized plan for each customer’s situation, so that they achieve their dream. Whether a first-time home buyer or someone buying their last home, Gesela will work to get the job done.
Gesela, who is married with two children, enjoys anything outdoors and spending time with friends. She serves on the Realtor Housing Community Foundation, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Lexington Board of Realtors. Her proudest accomplishment was when she was honored in 2011 as Mortgage Banker of the Year.
Tamara B. McCain | Vice President – Treasury Management | Republic Bank and Trust | 859.519.3346
Tamara began her career in banking in 1988 at the old First Security in Lexington. She started in operations and then moved to one of the branches where she was promoted to Banking Center Manager. She has held various positions throughout her career, including a position with Treasury Management at Bank One, who purchased First Security. She has spent 12 of her 28 years in banking within the Treasury Management field. As Tamara explains, businesses are looking for ways to reduce their bottom line, save time and safeguard their funds. She offers a wide range of cutting edge technology that supports businesses in accomplishing all three of these goals.
Tamara’s hobbies include anything related to the family farm like riding horses or gardening. She is a Kentucky 4-H board member, past President of Professional Women’s Forum, and volunteers for American Diabetes and Go Red for Women. She and her husband have two children.
Emily B. Miller | Private Banking Officer Republic Bank and Trust | 859.266.3724 | NMLS# 41942
As a Private Banking Officer, Emily has had the opportunity to service her clients’ needs from personal banking to business and/or commercial needs. While working at Republic Bank for the past eight years, she has developed a niche with the medical community from residents to fellows to attending physicians. Due to her familiarity with healthcare professionals, she knows and understands the unique circumstances that some individuals are in when it comes to lending needs. With the help of Republic Bank, Emily has been able to help accommodate those specific needs for the medical community.
Emily’s hobbies are “the three R’s”: running, reading and relaxing. Emily tries to go to bed each night knowing that she gave 110 percent – whether that pertains to work, running or training for a race (she ran her fourth marathon for her 40th birthday), being a friend or raising her two children.
With more than 15 years of experience as an accomplished mortgage lender, Dana’s areas of expertise include Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Administration (VA), Rural Housing Service (RHS) and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) lending.
As Branch Manager, she has the client’s best interest at heart while earning their trust and exceeding expectations. Her stellar reputation makes her the “go-to lender” of choice for thousands of homeowners and realtors throughout Central Kentucky.
Dana, who considers herself a foodie at heart, likes trying out new recipes, collecting stamps on her passport while experiencing other cultures and spending time at the beach. As a lender, her highest honor will always be a simple “Thank You” along with a genuine smile that’s received from first time happy homeowners. Several of her clients have become dear personal friends and loyal repeat customers.
Diane G. Richert | Senior Vice President, Regional Manager | PNC Bank | 859.281.5383
As a PNC Regional Manager, Diane builds a high-performing team through the attraction, on-boarding, coaching and development of branch team members. In her 35 years at PNC, Diane has seen firsthand the evolution of the banking industry. PNC wants to help each customer thrive, and Diane works tirelessly to help provide branch managers and retail banking team members with the tools and resources to help their customers succeed. Diane is motivated by developing her team into strong leaders and helping them to reach their goals. She leads with high energy and a desire to succeed.
To relax Diane enjoys time away to either Sanibel Island or Marco Island with her husband Tony. When she can’t get away, she finds time to enjoy and relax with her daughter and granddaughter.
Kimberly T. Hay | Senior Vice President | United Bank | 502.867.4144 | NMLS# 541828
Kimberly, who has been with United Bank for 34 years, finds community banking extremely rewarding. Her goal is to make banking easy on her customers and is motivated by helping others achieve their dream. Whether it is helping customers purchase the house they have always wanted, open a business or purchase their first car, Kimberly takes the time to get to know her customers, what motivates them and then helps them with their financial goals.
In 1981, Kimberly began working at Farmers Bank as a co-op student, answering the switchboard in the customer accounting department. In 2008, Farmers Bank merged with its sister bank, United Bank, which enlarged the geographic footprint and increased the communities the bank served. Over her 34 years at United Bank, she went from being a working high school student to an officer at the bank. She learned the business of banking at a young age and considers it one of her greatest accomplishments. “Education is important – but for my journey, I was able to learn the business of banking and prove to supervisors and bank management that I was a capable, hard worker.”
As a banker, Kimberly enjoys being involved in several organizations within her community. “Like so many people, my greatest satisfaction comes from helping others,” she says. Kimberly is a member of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce and a past member of Salvation Army.
Kimberly enjoys being at her parents’ farm where she helps with cattle and hay. “My parents have had the greatest impact on my career because they taught me the importance of a strong worth ethic, respect and caring for others,” she says. A native of Scott County, Kimberly and her husband have five children.
Diane, a Lexington native, has 12 years of industry experience. She has been with LPL Financial, the largest independent broker dealer, since 2006 and operates under her DBA, Alliance Financial Planning. Alliance Financial Planning specializes in individualized financial planning and finding solutions to her clients’ long-term goals. Diane is motivated by helping people and guiding her clients to make sound financial decisions.
Diane has a B.S. in Accounting and a BBA in Finance from the University of Kentucky. She also has a Certificate in Financial Planning (CFP) from Bellarmine University. She says seeing her clients live out their retirement without worry of running out of income is her proudest accomplishment. Diane enjoys traveling, live music and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. She is also the board chair for Dress for Success Lexington, a member of the Junior League of Lexington and a member of the Professional Women’s Forum.
Ashley Smyth | Senior Loan Officer | Bank of England Mortgage | 859.771.6422 | NMLS# 444712
As a Senior Loan Officer, Ashley specializes in residential lending solutions and offers multiple mortgage products including Conventional, FHA, VA, Rural Housing, Kentucky Housing, and Jumbo financing. Professionally, Ashley was previously a nationally recognized Mortgage Banker with Chase for five years where she discovered her passion for lending and finance. While mortgage lending can be stressful and fast paced, Ashley finds it to be incredibly rewarding and is motivated by having the opportunity to have a positive impact on others. She attributes her success to clear and consistent communication throughout the loan transaction, and her willingness to go above and beyond for her clients.
Ashley has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Kentucky and is an active volunteer in the community. She attends Harmony Christian Church, is a board member with the Mortgage Bankers Association, and volunteers for The Gathering Place, The Hope Center and Realtor Community Housing Foundation.
Chrysantha S. Clark, CFP® | Wealth Management Advisor | Meridian Wealth Management, LLC | 859.543.4516
Chrys has spent the majority of her career working in independent registered investment advisory (RIA) firms, which are held by law to the highest standard of responsibility to their clients. This practice encourages a unique level of personalized service. While new to Meridian Wealth Management, Chrys has worked in the wealth management industry for 17 years – primarily in Philadelphia and New York.
Chrys considers herself very fortunate to have entered the workforce when the job market was strong, especially in the financial services industry. She began her career in Philadelphia, where she attended college at St. Joseph University, and then went to work in Manhattan before the financial crisis in 2008. In 2013, Chrys’ husband accepted a position as an economics professor at Transylvania University and moved their family to Lexington. Together they have a five-year-old son and one-year-old twin daughters. In addition to family and work, Chrys is actively involved with Dress for Success Lexington.
Leslie S. Rion | Wealth Management Advisor | Meridian Wealth Management, LLC | 859.543.4516
When Leslie began her career in the 1980s, there were very few women in the financial services industry. Her career began in college, at the University of Kentucky, as a student intern for Hilliard Lyons.She knew from her internship experience that she wanted to spend her career helping others achieve financial security. Leslie works with individuals and families, of various backgrounds, to create a customized financial plan and investment strategy. Working at an independent investment advisory firm allows her to be objective and to put her clients’ interests first.
Leslie is married and is the proud mother and stepmother of four young adults. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, attending spin class and traveling with her family. Her most recent international trip was to Thailand to reconnect with an exchange student that lived in her childhood home.
Breeze Financial, which Patty started in 2002 after a 20 year career with MassMutual, is an insurance practice that offers products and services to individuals and groups. The lines of insurance offered include life, health, dental, vision, disability, business overhead expense , voluntary benefits, long term care, tax deferred annuities, homeowners, auto, business liability and workman compensation insurance for individuals and businesses. As an independent insurance agent, Patty provides her clients with objective information and advice so they can make informed decisions.
Patty believes in giving back to the community. She serves on the following boards: The Nest, NAWBO, The Japan American Society of Kentucky (JASK), The Woodford Theatrical Association, Transylvania University Alumni Board and The Waller Place Condominium Board. Her hobbies include playing tennis, downhill skiing, traveling with her family and reading. She and her husband, David, have two children.
Gail Thompson | VP/Branch Manager | First State Financial | 859.278.5858
Gail, from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been with First State Financial for 14 years. She started her career in banking in a part-time position while attending school for accounting, and soon found that she enjoyed working with people and assisting them with their financial needs. Now with 34 years of banking experience, Gail is a branch manager. Through all of the changes in the banking industry, clients still want and need the personalized service provided by a community bank. As branch manager, Gail’s focus is customer service. She is committed to keeping the customer first while providing flexible and sound banking service.
Gail says she is motivated by her family. Married for more than 35 years, Gail has three children and six grandchildren. She enjoys gardening and traveling – she has traveled to over 40 states, hiked in the Grand Tetons and canoed in the Canadian wilderness.
Ramsey Bova, CFP® | President | Moneywatch Advisors, Inc. | 859.268.1117
Ramsey’s father, Bob Bova, founded Moneywatch Advisors over 35 years ago. He started the firm with what was then a new idea to provide financial advice without conflicts of interest. “Instead of focusing on selling the client a product, he envisioned a practice that would give advice that was in the best interest of each client individually,” Ramsey, a wife and mother of two, explained.
Originally, Ramsey hadn’t planned on following in her father’s footsteps. “I worked for my dad in the summer during high school and I always enjoyed the work,” she explained. “He encouraged me to major in finance, as it would allow me to pursue my then desire to go to law school.” Ramsey graduated from Clemson University in August of 1998 and began working at Moneywatch that same month. She lost the itch to practice law as she enjoyed her career in finance. She was encouraged to earn the designation of Certified Financial Planner® and hasn’t looked back.
“The Financial Advice world has greatly evolved over the past 30 years for the benefit of the client,” Ramsey clarified. “Do the legwork and you will find the right person to assist you in building your goals and achieving them.”