Award winners honored at Everence Sales Conference

Everence employees recognized for 2025 successes

Ohio team poses with their team as Market of the Year

Everence Financial® leaders recently recognized award recipients for their outstanding 2025 performance during Everence Sales Conference, hosted at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Keynote speakers for this year’s conference general sessions included Kairos Partnerships Founder the Rev. J.R. Briggs, Ph.D., Professor of Financial Planning Kristy Archuleta, Ph.D., LMFT, CFT-ITM, and Everence Stewardship Consultant Franco Salvatori.

President and CEO Ken Hochstetler and Senior Vice President Rod Diller presented the awards on May 6, 2026.

Hochstetler honored Richard Litwiller, CLU®, ChFC®, with the President’s Stewardship Award in recognition of his commitment to stewardship in his church, family, community and professional life. Litwiller is a Financial Consultant, serving the Customer Engagement Center.

“Richard’s impact on the people around him runs deep,” said Everence CEO and President Ken Hochstetler. “He has taken new colleagues under his wing, helping them navigate client conversations, complex financial questions, and even how to bring their faith into their work in a meaningful way. It’s the kind of work that never makes it into a report, but helps shape careers and builds relationships that last."

Other individual and market awards included:

  • Aaron Givens, Customer Engagement Center Sales Manager in Goshen, Indiana, Exceptional Customer Service Award.
  • Emily Miller, CCUFC, Market Relationship Manager in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Exceptional Customer Service Award.
  • Melissa Gehman, Client Services Supervisor in Pennsylvania, Commitment to Excellence Award.
  • The Northeast Ohio Region team, directed by Bruce Breckill, Managing Director, was named the Market Team of the Year.
  • The Michiana team, directed by Brent Miller, Vice President, Michiana Region, was honored with the Team Growth Award for achieving the highest level of growth during 2025.
  • Everence Federal Credit Union in Kidron, Ohio, Credit Union Branch of the Year Award.
  • Tim Jantz, CFP®, of the Mount Joy, Pennsylvania office, Consultant of the Year.
  • Leah Ludwig, of the Atlantic team and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, New Consultant of the Year.
  • Steve Bustos, of the National team and based in Goshen, Indiana, Stewardship Consultant of the Year.
  • Ben Gooding, Financial Planner in Goshen, Indiana, but serving clients nationwide, Everence Financial Planning Award.
  • Elyse Kauffman, MBA, Charitable Consultant in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Everence Charitable Services Award.
  • Matt Smith, Business Development Officer for Everence Federal Credit Union in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Everence Federal Credit Union Loans Award.
  • Christopher Kaufman, Financial Planner in Carlock, Illinois, Brokered Products Sales Award.
  • Justin Wagler, Financial Consultant in Kidron, Ohio, Everence Annuities Sales Award.
  • Luke Shyposki, Financial Consultant in Goshen, Indiana, Everence Senior Health Sales Award.
  • Glen Kauffman, ChFC®, Financial Planner in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Praxis Investment Management Sales Award.
  • Michael Whiteman, Financial Consultant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Everence Retirement Services Award.
  • Jeffrey Godshall, CFP®, CTFA, Financial Planner, of the Atlantic team and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, Everence Asset Management Award.

Congratulations to our team award winners

Everence Ohio Market of the Year

Sales Team of the Year

The Northeast Ohio team, directed by Bruce Breckill, Managing Director, was named the Sales Team of the Year.
Michiana, team growth award, poses for a photo with their award.

Sales Team Growth Award

The Michiana team, directed by Brent Miller, Vice President, Michiana Region, was honored with the Sales Team Growth Award for achieving the highest level of growth during 2025.
Kidron OH office

Credit Union Branch of the Year

Everence Federal Credit Union in Kidron, Ohio, Credit Union Branch of the Year Award.

Congratulations to our individual award winners

Aaron Givens, Customer Engagement Center Sales Manager in Goshen, Indiana, Exceptional Customer Service Award.
Aaron Givens, Customer Engagement Center Sales Manager in Goshen, Indiana, Exceptional Customer Service Award.
Ben Gooding, Financial Planner of the National Team and based in Goshen, Indiana, Everence Financial Planning Award.
Ben Gooding, Financial Planner of the National Team and based in Goshen, Indiana, Everence Financial Planning Award.
Elyse Kauffman, MBA, Charitable Consultant in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Everence Charitable Services Award.
Elyse Kauffman, MBA, Charitable Consultant in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Everence Charitable Services Award.
Emily Miller, CCUFC, Market Relationship Manager in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Exceptional Customer Service Award.
Emily Miller, CCUFC, Market Relationship Manager in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Exceptional Customer Service Award.
Glen Kauffman, ChFC®, Financial Planner in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Praxis Investment Management Sales Award.
Glen Kauffman, ChFC®, Financial Planner in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Praxis Investment Management Sales Award.
Jeffrey Godshall, CFP®, CTFA, Financial Planner, of the Atlantic team and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, Everence Asset Management Award.
Jeffrey Godshall, CFP®, CTFA, Financial Planner, of the Atlantic team and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, Everence Asset Management Award.
Justin Wagler, Financial Consultant in Kidron, Ohio, Everence Annuities Sales Award.
Justin Wagler, Financial Consultant in Kidron, Ohio, Everence Annuities Sales Award.
Leah Ludwig, Certified Senior Advisor®, of the Atlantic team and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, New Consultant of the Year.
Leah Ludwig, Certified Senior Advisor®, of the Atlantic team and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, New Consultant of the Year.
Luke Shyposki, Certified Senior Advisor®, Financial Consultant in Goshen, Indiana, Everence Senior Health Sales Award.
Luke Shyposki, Certified Senior Advisor®, Financial Consultant in Goshen, Indiana, Everence Senior Health Sales Award.
Matt Smith, Business Development Officer for Everence Federal Credit Union in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Everence Federal Credit Union Loans Award.
Matt Smith, Business Development Officer for Everence Federal Credit Union in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Everence Federal Credit Union Loans Award.
Melissa Gehman, Client Services Supervisor in Pennsylvania, Commitment to Excellence Award.
Melissa Gehman, Client Services Supervisor in Pennsylvania, Commitment to Excellence Award.
Michael Whiteman, Financial Consultant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Everence Retirement Services Award.
Michael Whiteman, Financial Consultant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Everence Retirement Services Award.
Richard Litwiller was honored with the President’s Stewardship Award in recognition of his commitment to stewardship, which has been demonstrated in his personal and professional life.
Richard Litwiller was honored with the President’s Stewardship Award in recognition of his commitment to stewardship, which has been demonstrated in his personal and professional life.
Steve Bustos, of the National team and based in Goshen, Indiana, Stewardship Consultant of the Year.
Steve Bustos, of the National team and based in Goshen, Indiana, Stewardship Consultant of the Year.
Tim Jantz, CFP®, of the Mount Joy, Pennsylvania office, Consultant of the Year.
Tim Jantz, CFP®, of the Mount Joy, Pennsylvania office, Consultant of the Year.