top of page

LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Fund members have elected a leadership team to guide the Fund's business, attract deal flow, and conduct due diligence.

justinthumb.jpg
Justin Mandel
Chairperson

Justin leads the Fund’s activities on a day-to-day basis and focuses on generating investment opportunities for the Fund. He believes strongly in the investment thesis of early-stage entrepreneurial opportunity in the Allegheny region. Justin is also an experienced, commercial real estate developer with active projects across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. Prior to moving to the Alleghenies region, he spent 10 years working with tech and telecom companies around the world to develop and execute growth and business strategies. Justin holds an AB in Government from Dartmouth College and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School.

Justin lives in Hollidaysburg with his wife and three young children.

John Horell.jpg
John Horell
Treasurer and Tax Matter Partner

John is co-founder of Tax Credit Brokerage, LLC and President of KIZ Resources, LLC.  With fifteen years of professional experience, John has contributed to the development of Pennsylvania’s transferable tax credit industry.  With technical tax training as an Enrolled Agent, John serves as tax advisor to numerous companies located across the United States who buy and sell Pennsylvania Tax Credits.  John has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University.

In 2011, John received the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center & Center for Global Competitiveness’s Financial Services Advocate of the Year award. 

A strong advocate for small business, he volunteers his time to various entrepreneurial organizations.

John resides in Altoona with his wife and two daughters. 

stevenhowsare.jpg
Steven Howsare
Secretary
bio pic.jpg
James Tucker
Executive Committee

Steven Howsare is the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission's Executive Director. Prior to accepting the position at SAP&DC, Mr. Howsare was in his third four-year term as a Bedford County Commissioner. In this capacity, he had overseen many major projects, including the renovation and construction of additions to the Bedford County Courthouse.

Mr. Howsare had previously served as President of the Board of Directors of the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of PCOMP, a risk pool for workers compensation insurance for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and also on CCAP's Assessment and Taxation Committee. Mr. Howsare is also currently the Chair for the JARI Growth Fund. Steven Howsare resides in Lincoln Township, Bedford County with his wife Amy and seven children.

James is a Manager of Supply Chain Services at Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 global healthcare solutions company. James and his team provide advanced logistics, inventory management, and technology services for hospitals throughout Pennsylvania.  James holds a BS in Business Administration from Duquesne University and a MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. James currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and was a recent participant in the Cambria Regional Chamber's John B. Gunter Leadership Initiative.  James resides in Johnstown with his wife Emily and three kids, Jovie, Mila, and Theo.  He also loves traveling and the outdoors, including running, biking, swimming, kayaking, and hiking.

tyler_image002.png
Tyler Trimbath
Jimphoto.jpg
Jim Steinbugl
Executive Committee

Mr. Trimbath works with clients in the on-boarding process, as well as legal and accounting interaction. Previous to his position with THOR Analytics, Mr. Trimbath has exemplified his commitment to outside-the-box thinking with previous leadership positions in technology innovation and investor relations. At Proactive Capital Resource Group he served as the expert for all retail investment services for publicly traded companies. Mr. Trimbath is a published author and has a history working in politics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Aloysius College. Tyler currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Mount Aloysius College, he’s on the Investment Committee for the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, Sheetz Entrepreneurship Board member at Penn State University, and Board member of the Pennsylvania Greater Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Jim has spent his entire professional career in the institutional investment management industry, with experience in asset allocation, investment policy, and manager selection of large multi-asset class portfolios.

Currently, Jim is a Director, Portfolio Management at the Pennsylvania State University and helps to manage the University’s endowment fund. Previously, he worked at Johns Hopkins University in a similar role. 

Jim holds a BS in Finance from the Pennsylvania State University.

Jim currently resides in Altoona with his wife Megan and their daughter Evelyn.

leonard164.png
Leonard Fiore

Leonard Fiore works as both an Associate Broker at Perry Wellington Realty, as well as the Director of Real Estate and Asset Management at Fiore Brothers Management. These positions afford him the opportunity to utilize an array of skill sets, particularly those dealing with property management and sales, financial analysis, real estate development, and contract negotiation. Leonard is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR), the Allegheny Highlands Association of Realtors (AHAR), and the Centre County Association of Realtors (CCAR), showcasing his dedication to both national and local standards of professional practice. Leonard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Penn State University, an Associate Brokers License, and a number of professional management certificates. Leonard, a native and resident of Blair County, values both his personal and professional presence in the community. He is dedicated to fostering community engagement and belongs to a number of local organizations, such as the Leadership Blair County Class of 2015, Blair County Chamber of Commerce, and Young Professionals of Blair County.

Mattdownload.jpg
Matt Cashdollar

Matt is a highly successful executive leader with over 20 years of progressive experience. He is a forward-thinking, self-starter that brings value by leveraging expertise in leadership skills and strategic vision. In addition to owning three outside business ventures, currently, Matt manages the Pitt South territory as a Sales Leader for State Farm Insurance, leading 43 agents and over 150 team members. As of July 1st, he will be reopening the Cashdollar Insurance Agency representing State Farm in North Versailles, PA.  This will allow him to continue his pursuit of a passion built over the past ten years, in helping people prepare for their financial futures and protect what they’ve worked so hard for.  Prior to opening his first agency, Matt was the VP of Strategic Partnerships with Alloy Media & Marketing in New York, NY. In his role, he collaborated with company executives to develop strategic plans for acquisitions, mergers and industry partnerships. Matt holds insurance licenses in four states, three securities licenses in the financial service industry and his Retirement Income Certified Professional designation.  He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Slippery Rock University.  Living in Johnstown, the town where his wife Jill grew up, they are raising two amazing children, Levi and Lyla, students at Richland Elementary.

The Alleghenies Angel Fund has partnered with the Appalachian Investors Alliance for Fund support, syndicate opportunities, and regulatory compliance.

bottom of page