As May of this year draws to a close, it brings changes to Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church’s finance office. Richard Schexnider, the director of finance, will depart the church on May 29th. While we are sad to see Richard go, we are excited to welcome Danielle Shelby into this role starting on June 1.

A game-changing director of finance

“We are very sorry to see Richard leave,” says the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, senior pastor at Fifth Avenue. “We are very grateful for his service. Richard helped stabilize our finances and financial processes. He instituted modern accounting practices, hired an excellent accountant, Cengiz Yener, and updated critical technologies.”

Richard Schexnider started with Fifth Avenue in 2019. “It was a challenging time,” he says. “There was a lot to be done. We wanted to shift from manual and paper-based processes to electronic systems, institute additional internal controls, and upgrade our finance talent.” Richard’s time at Fifth Avenue has been marked by collaboration and an emphasis on sound policy. He will soon become the Controller of the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, where he and his husband have a home.

“Richard’s ingenuity and dedication have our finance department running like a proverbial top,” Black Johnston adds. “He has been game changing. I will miss his partnership and expertise as I and the rest of Fifth Avenue wish him all the best in his next step.”

A new hire and a promotion

Following a careful interview process, the church has retained the services of Danielle Shelby. Danielle is an accomplished financial professional and CPA with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MBA from William Carey University. Formerly with the accounting firm of Capin Crouse, Danielle is familiar with Fifth Avenue. She previously worked on our audits alongside Richard and Cengiz for years.

Danielle will serve as the director of Finance for Fifth Avenue in a part-time capacity. She has been side-by–side with Richard throughout May to pass the baton and ensure seamless continuity during this transition.

“Danielle is part of a movement among peer churches in New York who are embracing a new model,” Black Johnston says, “with a full-time controller and a part-time CFO. In recent years, Danielle has run her own firm providing CFO services for various non-profits. I am thrilled that she is joining us and excited to work with her.”

Hailing from Taylorsville, Mississippi, Danielle currently resides in Hoboken with her husband, Brenton, and their four-year-old son, Leo. “Richard and the church leadership have made incredibly positive changes happen during their time here,” she says. “I fell in love with Fifth Avenue when I was at Capin Crouse and learned so much working with Richard and Cengiz during audits. I’m looking forward to being on this side of the process and getting to know the Fifth Avenue family.”

As part of the changes in the church’s finance office, Cengiz Yener, our senior accountant, is being promoted to Controller. “Cengiz is a smart, hard-working, and dedicated member of this team,” Black Johnston says. “He is a skilled accountant and eager to take on the Controller role. We are lucky to have him on board and celebrate this new role!”

If you have any questions about these transitions, or would like to send congratulations to Danielle, Cengiz, or Richard, please email fapc@fapc.org.