Premier Bank Awards Douglas Its Vereecke Community Impact Award
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Premier Bank has awarded Ashley Douglas, commercial loan closer, the seventh annual Jeff Vereecke Community Impact Award. The award recognizes one individual who shares in the bank’s dedication and passion for spreading kindness, doing good deeds and making our communities stronger by demonstrating superior service to the community in which they work and/or live.
Douglas was selected by Premier Bank’s executive management team and by Karen Vereecke, widow of Jeff Vereecke, former executive vice president and Northern market area president for Premier Bank, who lost his battle with cancer in 2014.
“I am so honored to receive this award. Helping others is my lifelong passion, I genuinely enjoy giving back, and being involved in my community. I am also very passionate about being a positive influence to others,” says Douglas. “When I think about helping others I am reminded of my dad, Ned Shippoli. He always went the extra mile to help people and be a good person. I know he is watching over me proud that I am carrying on his legacy.”
Douglas’ nomination highlights her community involvement throughout the Mahoning Valley, which includes working with parents and staff of the Alta Head Start Agency to encourage participation in their child’s education, wellbeing and involvement in agency’s monthly events and school meetings. In addition, she serves as chairman of the Policy Council and the Agency’s location at the Oak Hill Renaissance Center. She participates in Premier Bank’s Mentor Program and the Explorer Leadership Series, which is a 12-course series covering many different leadership topics.
Douglas also signs up for to volunteer at the Youngstown CityScape’s Streetscape event, the Youngstown Holiday Parade Light Up Night, the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and the Panaerathon. In her free time, you can find her volunteering for the United Way of Youngstown & the Mahoning Valley and the Beatitude House and donating items to local food, toy and clothing drives as well as setting up at community events to help teach financial wellness education to both adults and children.
As part of the award, Douglas received $2,500 to donate to nonprofit organizations of her choice. She chose to donate to $1,500 to Alta Head Start and $1,000 to the United Way of Youngstown & the Mahoning Valley.
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