The 2026 Finance Career & Leadership Academy (FCLA, Academy) Graduation Ceremony and Dinner took place in Charlottesville on Friday, May 29th, at Carmello’s Restaurant. During the evening’s proceedings, Virginia National Bank (VNB) honored the 2026 Academy’s graduates along with a former graduate that has gone on to a further milestone on his post-secondary educational path as part of VNB’s ongoing educational programs.
The 2026 FCLA graduates: Remington Kuecker, Olivia Moore, Ty Myer, Damari Turner (back row, left to right); Anya Piskunova, Mira Masri, Ms. Crider, Jaylin Margerum, Emma Lau (front row, left to right)
Olivia Moore was recognized as valedictorian of the 2026 FCLA and presented with her graduation certificate by Meghan Crider (President, Educational Programs).
Damari Turner was honored as salutatorian for the 2026 FCLA.
Jack Flemming (2023 FCLA graduate, 2024 VNB College Program – Business Banking/Staff Development Certification graduate, and current VNB Commercial Lending Assistant was presented with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Banking, from St. Joseph’s College.
The Finance Career & Leadership Academy is a free instructional program designed to not only provide advanced personal finance and employment readiness training, but also a path to career opportunities in banking for high school juniors and seniors within our communities. The Academy runs from mid-January to June. The most promising and top performing students from the Academy are considered for VNB’s College Program (the Business Banking/Staff Development Program).
The College Program is a bank-sponsored, comprehensive, free training program that consists of 15 courses of which 13 are accredited college/university courses (39 credit hours that are transferable to a 2 or 4-year college/university) and work projects. Participants receive fulltime pay with full fringe benefits (includes 401k with company match) while completing the program and, if successful in the program, receive the CFTEA/VNB certification in Business Banking/Staff Development as well as have the potential opportunity for a career with VNB. Also, once employed, should they choose, they may go on to complete a 2 or 4-year degree at the company’s expense.
Virginia National Bank supports our local communities and recognizes the important programs and preserved outdoor space provided by the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont.
Their mission is to welcome all community members and visitors to engage in nature, to inspire learning through the beauty and importance of plants, to advance sustainability, and to promote human and environmental well-being.
Team VNB had a wonderful time at the 25th annual Hospice of the Piedmont 5K!
Virginia National Bank is a proud sponsor of this fundraising event for walkers and runners of all ages and abilities. The final stretch of the race, the Memorial Mile, is lined with names of those we have lost – honoring their memory.
All proceeds from the 5K support the Hospice of the Piedmont’s services to provide no-cost care for exceptional hospice, palliative care, and grief support to patients, families, and bereaved community members in Central Virginia.
