Sam has been a member of the PEO industry since 2015, bringing over a decade of expertise in payroll and bookkeeping. With a strong background in business management, she holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and is a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).

Since 2013, Sam has specialized in payroll and bookkeeping, leveraging her experience to streamline systems and ensure accuracy in payroll processing. In her current role as Payroll and Manager of Implementation and Systems, she welcomes and oversees the implementation of new clients, develops and executes efficient operations, manages payroll systems, and provides expert guidance to clients. Sam’s dedication to precision and continuous improvement makes her a key asset in optimizing operations and ensuring seamless service delivery.

Her commitment to professional development and certifications, including the CPP designation, reflects her passion for staying ahead of industry trends and best practices. Sam’s blend of technical expertise, management skills, and years of hands-on experience in payroll systems make her an invaluable leader in the operations department.

When she is not working or spending time with her daughter, Sam enjoys traveling to new places and checking out the local attractions of the places she goes. A self-proclaimed “foodie”, she enjoys trying the local favorites. She also loves going to baseball games in the summer, from Fenway to Truist Park. Sam describes herself as a homebody when it is cold outside, but once the sun is out, she can be found outside enjoying it.

Danielle is an experienced finance professional with a strong background in public accounting. With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting & Finance from Marshall University, Danielle has built a solid foundation in financial management and reporting.

Since 2011, Danielle has dedicated herself to the field of accounting, with 7 of those years spent in public accounting, and the remainder in the PEO industry. Her expertise spans various aspects of finance, with a specific focus on accounting principles, financial strategy, and leadership within the accounting team. Danielle’s role as Controller has allowed her to leverage her extensive knowledge in accounting, overseeing financial operations, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting.

Her career in public accounting and her academic credentials make her a trusted and capable leader in the accounting field. Danielle’s commitment to excellence and her ability to adapt to changing financial landscapes have been key drivers in her continued success.

Danielle enjoys traveling and going on adventures with her daughter, and is very active in her church, specifically with the youth.

With over two decades of experience in the PEO industry, Mindi has been a trusted leader in payroll management since 1997. Throughout her career, she has honed a deep expertise in payroll processes and client services, working with clients in all industries to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll solutions.

As the Director of Payroll and Client Services, Mindi oversees the payroll function and client relations, ensuring a seamless experience for each client. Her leadership fosters strong partnerships, allowing clients to focus on growth while Mindi’s team takes care of the intricate details of payroll compliance.

Mindi’s extensive knowledge of payroll systems, regulatory changes, and customer service strategies has made her a key asset to the organization. She is passionate about providing personalized solutions that meet clients’ needs, helping businesses streamline their operations and reduce the complexities of managing employee compensation.

When not leading payroll initiatives, Mindi enjoys staying ahead of industry trends and continuously improving her skills to better serve her clients, as well as spending time with her family.

As a seasoned Human Resources professional with over a decade of comprehensive experience across various HR functions, Andrea is PHR-certified through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Andrea’s HR journey began in the behavioral health sector before she transitioned to the PEO space, where she has honed her skills assisting diverse clients with the management of HR operations. Currently, as the VP of Administration and HR at AscendHR, Andrea plays a pivotal role in supporting businesses of all sizes, helping them navigate their HR challenges and improve their operations. She oversees internal HR functions and works with the AscendHR Leadership team to ensure that administrative functions are efficient, effective, and compliant with the organization’s goals.

Before embarking on her HR career, Andrea gained valuable experience in higher education and business administration, broadening her understanding of organizational dynamics. A lifelong resident of Raleigh County, WV, she remains deeply connected to her community and is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through her work. In her spare time, Andrea loves to bake and create new recipes, as well as spend time with her family and research family ancestry.

With 17 years of experience in customer service and a background in the health insurance industry, Julia has developed a well-rounded skill set in both client-facing and operational functions. She specializes in reconciliations, onboarding, claims filing and processing, and the administration of benefits, with a proven track record of streamlining processes and enhancing service quality.

As the leader of the Benefits department, Julia brings a strategic approach to managing day-to-day operations, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of benefits-related services. Her expertise extends to developing efficient workflows, guiding teams through complex tasks, and implementing best practices to maintain a high level of satisfaction among clients and vendors alike.

Julia’s extensive experience, combined with her leadership abilities, makes her a key asset in driving the success and growth of the organization. She is a licensed Insurance Producer in the lines of Accident, Health, Sickness, and Life.

Currently, she is working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. In her spare time, she enjoys attending live music with her daughter and exploring new hobbies like painting, cross-stitching, and learning to play the guitar. She’s also a proud plant lover, with over 200 houseplants.

The definition of “ascend” is to move, climb, or go upward; mount; rise. AscendHR’s climb is built on the fundamentals of hard work, consistency, integrity, and transparency. Tracy watched her dad’s example of hard work growing up as he ran several businesses, which required him at times to go to work “after work” to provide, but he still managed to never miss one of her soccer games. She decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and opened AscendHR, a PEO specializing in a white-glove HR service, in her hometown of Beckley, WV.

She began her career in the PEO space in 2015, where she instantly fell in love with the industry and the meaningful solutions it can provide to clients while building and maintaining strong relationships. She is a Woodrow Wilson High School graduate, a West Virginia University alumni, and obtained her Master’s in Business Administration and Leadership (MBAL) from the University of Charleston Graduate School of Business. Tracy holds three professional human resources certifications: Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Professional in Human Resources (PHR) through HRCI (HR Certification Institute), and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) through the Society for Human Resources Management. In addition to her certifications, she is a member of SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management). Tracy is also a licensed Insurance Producer for Accident, Health, Sickness, and Life.

Family is everything to Tracy, and she enjoys anything that can bring them together. In her spare time, she likes cooking and trying out new recipes. Even with the different titles Tracy has held throughout her life, her favorite to date is “Mom.”