Williamson College to Honor four alumni at annual banquet
The Warren P. Williamson, Jr. College of Business Administration presents the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards, Friday, October 4, in Williamson Hall, on the campus of Youngstown State University. The reception and buffet begin at 5:45 p.m. with the award program to follow at 7 p.m.
Recipients of 2024 WCBA Outstanding Alumni Awards include Ryan Day, chief financial officer of Hynes Industries; Bill Vennetti, partner of Packer Thomas; Heather Chunn, vice president of operations and human resources for the Youngstown State University Foundation and Nicole DeCenso, finance expert in loan accounting with PNC Bank.
Outstanding Alumnus
Ryan Day, who graduated from YSU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, joined Hynes in 2017. A Mahoning Valley native and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Day has served in senior corporate accounting leadership roles with local, regional, and national manufacturers since 2008, the most recent two roles in the position of CFO. Prior to 2008, his career extended over a decade in public accounting with many years in leadership positions with local firms where Day concentrated on tax and auditing functions.
He gives back to his community through his volunteer Board of Directors roles, serving as chair for the Ohio Living Lake Vista, the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition and as part of YSU WCBA’s Planning Committee.
Day resides in Cortland with his wife, Susan, and stepson Graham, a 2023 WCBA graduate. He is always receptive to invitations to meet and present to YSU students who are studying to become accounting professionals and is responsible for the intern program at Hynes.
Outstanding Alumnus
A 1996 YSU graduate and Leadership Mahoning Valley alum, Bill Vennetti, is a CPA and partner with Packer Thomas based in Canfield. He has been setting the standard for financial excellence and integrity in the industry. With a career spanning 28 years at Packer Thomas, he has established himself as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to his clients, offering unparalleled expertise in accounting, tax planning and financial management.
As a seasoned professional, Vennetti has dedicated his career to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of finance with ease and confidence. His commitment to staying abreast of the latest industry trends and regulations ensures that his clients receive the most current and effective financial guidance.
Vennetti's approach to financial stewardship is rooted in a deep understanding of his clients' unique needs and goals. He prides himself on delivering personalized service that goes beyond the numbers, building long-lasting relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
In addition to his professional achievements, Vennetti is the treasurer of Youngstown Wolves Den Scholarship Fund and a member of the Four Square Club. He resides in Canfield, with wife Cassie and children: Matthew, Anna, and Noah.
Outstanding Master of Business Administration Alumna
Heather Chunn, a 1998 graduate with a BSBA in marketing, began her career in sales and customer service with manufacturing company, Bliss Technologies, and then held a similar role with Reynolds & Reynolds, an automotive retail technology and digitization company.
Chunn returned to YSU and graduated with an MBA in 2003. While pursuing her MBA, she became a graduate assistant in YSU’s Office of Marketing and Communications where she researched, planned, and implemented media buying strategies.
Currently employed by the YSU Foundation, Chunn has held the position of vice president of operations & human resources from 2015 until the present time. She also served as a limited-service instructor for the WCBA during several of those same years.
Chunn serves on the boards of Boardman Schools Fund for Educational Excellence; the Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork; and is a board member and treasurer for Boardman High School Boys Cross Country and Track.
She is involved in her community serving as a member of Junior Achievement Mahoning Valley Capstone Advisory Committee; Junior League of Mahoning Valley; Society for Human Resource Management Western Reserve Chapter; serves on the Strong Girls, Strong Women committee, and is an active Boardman High School Swim Team Booster.
Originally from Newton Falls, Chunn now resides in Poland, and is married to Paul McFadden and has two children: Aiden and Emma and two stepsons, Connor, and Colten.
Outstanding Recent Alumna
A Youngstown native who graduated from Chaney High School in 2008, Nicole DeCenso earned her BSBA from YSU in 2015. While attending the WCBA, she joined Beta Alpha Psi and served as the President of the Kappa Xi Chapter in 2015. She also served as the OSCPA Campus Ambassador and the Becker Campus Ambassador prior to graduation.
DeCenso accepted a full-time position with PNC Bank in August of 2024 as a Finance Expert within loan accounting. Formerly, she worked at First National Bank for over 10 years holding various positions within finance, operations, and information technology.
Since graduating from YSU, DeCenso has started a family with her husband Michael Arnaut. She is now a mother of two children, Michael & Marlee. While building her family and her career, DeCenso has volunteered when possible, continuously returned to the WCBA, and served as a Regional Alumni Representative for Beta Alpha Psi in 2022-2023.
Sponsorships from area businesses and organizations for the 2024 WCBA Alumni Banquet include: Canfield Industries; Hynes Industries; Packer Thomas; Payroll Pros, LLC; Simon Roofing; Dr. Ronald and Judith Volpe; White Glove Payroll; YSU Foundation; PNC Bank; First National Bank; Hometown Pharmacy Solutions; Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata; Sherman Creative Promotions; SSB CPAs; Donald & Barbara Graham; and MyPath Mahoning Valley.
To attend the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards, RSVP by September 20 at ysu.edu/alumnibanquet. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean in the Williamson College of Business Administration at 330-941-3064.