The Youngstown State University Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of two new trustees to its Board of Trustees, for three-year terms that began on May 22nd, 2023.
Alexa Sweeney Blackann and Kevin Helmick are the latest additions to the board of 42 members.
Alexa Sweeney Blackann is the former President of Sweeney Chevrolet and Sweeney Buick GMC in Youngstown, Ohio. In early 2023, Alexa sold the business to #1 Cochran from Pittsburgh, PA, and continues to support the business as a consultant. Under Alexa’s leadership, the two stores received many dealership accolades including Mark of Excellence awards from General Motors for their customer service and sales achievements. Alexa is a graduate of the NADA Dealer Academy, she has a BSBA in Marketing Management from YSU and is a Poland Seminary High School graduate.
Alexa follows her family’s tradition of leadership to the YSU Foundation as her grandfather Robert Sweeney served as a YSU Foundation Trustee from 1992 to 2001, and her father Doug Sweeney served as a YSU Foundation Trustee from 2014 to 2023. Alexa is a member of the advisory council for Huntington Bank in the Mahoning Valley. She is a current Board Member of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, BRITE Energy Innovators, the YSU Foundation, the Better Business Bureau, and Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation. Alexa is a Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Trustee and chairs the Development Committee and she chairs the Impact Committee of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Her family has given over $1,000,000 to Youngstown State University and established the Patricia McGovern Sweeney Professorship in Nursing. She currently resides in Poland with her husband, Josh, and their four children.
Kevin Helmick began his banking career with Security Dollar Bank and became part of the Farmers National Bank family following Security Dollar Bank’s acquisition in 2000. Mr. Helmick has grown professionally with Farmers National Bank over the last 25 years and has held various positions and titles including Investment Advisor, and Vice President, Director of Retail Services & Wealth Management. In October 2013, Mr. Helmick was named President and CEO of Farmers National Banc Corp. and was also named a Banc Corp. Director at that time.
During Mr. Helmick’s tenure as CEO, Farmers has seen a total shareholder return of more than 156%, banking asset growth of more than 350%, growth in net income of more than 675%, and growth in market capitalization from $118 million to more than $400 million with an entrance into the Russell 2000. Mr. Helmick serves as a board member for Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Better Business Bureau, and the YSU Foundation.