Helmick, Blackann Appointed to YSU Foundation Board of Trustees

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State University Foundation on Friday announced that Kevin Helmick and Alexa Sweeney Blackann have been appointed to its board of trustees.

Helmick and Blackann will serve three-year terms that began May 22.

Helmick, president and CEO of Farmers National Banc Corp., began his banking career with Security Dollar Bank and became part of the Farmers National Bank family after Security Dollar’s acquisition in 2000. During his tenure as Farmers’ CEO, the bank has seen a total shareholder return of more than 156 percent, banking asset growth of more than 350 percent, growth in net income of more than 675 percent and growth in market capitalization from $118 million to more than $400 million with an entrance into the Russell 2000.

Helmick also serves as a board member for the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Better Business Bureau. 

Blackann is the former president of Sweeney Chevrolet and Sweeney Buick GMC. Earlier this year, the dealerships were sold to #1 Cochran of Pittsburgh. She continues to support the business as a consultant. Under her leadership, the dealerships received many accolades, including Mark of Excellence awards from General Motors for customer service and sales achievements.

Blackann also serves as a board member for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Brite Energy Innovators, the Better Business Bureau and Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation. She is a Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County trustee and chairs the Development Committee and the Impact Committee of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. She is also a member of the advisory council for Huntington Bank in the Mahoning Valley.

Blackann’s grandfather Robert Sweeney served as a YSU Foundation trustee from 1992 to 2001, and her father, Doug Sweeney, served as a trustee from 2014 to 2023. Her family has given more than $1 million to YSU and established the Patricia McGovern Sweeney Professorship in Nursing.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.