People on the move

Ashton Gomez joined the firm’s client operations team as a client advocacy lead. In this newly created role, Gomez will support Howard Bailey’s client service initiatives through spearheading a one-year roadmap to expand, consolidate and optimize the firm’s operations functions, all of which are focused on elevating the best-in-class service provided to new and existing clients.

Previously, Gomez cultivated her passion for serving others in the financial field while working as a client solutions specialist at PNC Bank. She graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne with a bachelor’s in interpersonal and organizational communications, and minors in public relations and film.

Mike Zawahri joined the firm’s operations team as director of finance. In this newly created position, he will lead Howard Bailey’s financial planning and reporting processes, and seek new opportunities to innovate and streamline existing financial processes.

Previously, Zawahri held several finance-based positions throughout northern Indiana that cultivated his passion for supporting company growth. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University Kelley School of Business and earned his master’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Saint Francis.

Kelsey Dagle, associate financial advisor, recently passed the Series 65 exam and is now registered as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR), allowing her to advise clients on investing in securities.

The 130-question exam covers topics such as state and federal securities acts, regulations for investment advisers, ethical practices and fiduciary obligations.

Troutman to lead Trine marketing and communications

Rachel Troutman, a Trine University graduate who has gone on to a successful marketing leadership career, will return to her alma mater as vice president for university marketing and communications, effective June 8.

Troutman replaces David Jarzyna, who is retiring after seven years in the role.

As vice president, Troutman will lead efforts in marketing, communications and public relations for Trine University. She will be responsible for developing and implementing integrated strategies and marketing communication plans that emphasize Trine’s unique brand by enhancing the university’s visibility, viability and vibrancy in alignment with its strategic plan.

Troutman graduated from Trine with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and a marketing minor. While at Trine, she was a member of the women’s basketball team and Kappa Sigma Alpha sorority.

She served as an admission counselor at Trine after graduating, and has continued to remain actively involved with the university. She joined the board of directors for the Trine University Alumni Association in 2015 and has served as president of that board since 2019.

After relocating to the Indianapolis area, Troutman accepted a position at the Indiana State Department of Health in the tobacco prevention and cessation division before continuing on to a successful tenure as sales manager for Visit Indy.

At Visit Indy, she supported the organization’s mission of increasing the city’s economic growth by exceeding yearly sales goals for booked room nights for group meetings and conventions for seven consecutive years.

Most recently, she worked at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, joining as marketing manager for the cardiovascular service line and later advancing to the role of marketing director. As marketing director for heart and vascular services at Franciscan Alliance, she led the marketing and communications efforts for the heart service line across the hospital system, which includes 12 hospitals that span from Central Indiana to south suburban Chicago. Her leadership supported the goals and objectives of multiple heart centers through comprehensive communication strategies and plans, public relations, digital marketing and community relations.

In addition to her Trine degree, Troutman holds a Master of Arts in public relations from Indiana University Purdue University — Indianapolis.

Centier Bank welcomes Humair Chowdhry

Centier Bank welcomes Humair Chowdhry as vice president, commercial lender, serving the bank’s Greater Fort Wayne office, located at 803 S. Calhoun St., Suite 100.

Chowdhry joins Centier after working in the banking industry while also serving the Fort Wayne market for the past 17 years. Born and raised locally, the Indiana University-Fort Wayne alumnus is eager to represent Centier Bank and play a key role in expanding the bank’s presence in Fort Wayne.

Chowdhry’s community involvement includes serving Greater Fort Wayne’s Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2023, Fort Wayne Driving Club, Builders Contractors Association, Islamic Center of Fort Wayne, Indiana Bankers Association, 13 Step House, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne, and he also supports several nonprofits in the community.

Cydney Huey of BAE Systems honored

Conexus Indiana announced that Cydney Huey, a manufacturing engineer at BAE Systems, is among the newest members of the Conexus Indiana Rising 30, an exclusive group of young professionals who are recognized for their early-in-career accomplishments in the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries.

The Rising 30 program is in its third year and is part of Conexus Indiana’s mission to strengthen Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Rising 30 honorees exemplify leadership and innovation in Indiana’s largest industry sector and are poised to become Indiana’s future industry leaders.

Rising 30 honorees are nominated by their employer or an industry representative, and winners are selected based on their early-career accomplishments. In the coming year, the Rising 30 honorees will participate in Conexus Indiana’s work by serving as thought leaders on subjects ranging from emerging technology, smart manufacturing, public policy and talent development.