For Leslie Rush, the people are what stand out most.

As she prepares for retirement, Leslie doesn’t talk first about software, projects, or accomplishments. Instead, she talks about friendships. She talks about support. She talks about the people who answered questions, offered encouragement, and made F&C feel like more than a place to work.

That perspective says a lot about who Leslie is.

When Kim York, F&C’s Software Implementation Supervisor, encouraged Leslie to join the firm in 2011, Leslie couldn’t have known the relationships, opportunities, and memories that were waiting for her. Looking back now, Leslie is grateful Kim opened that door. What started as a new opportunity became a career filled with meaningful work, lasting friendships, and a team she would come to cherish. Though she made her home in Morganville New Jersey, her connections to her team never wavered even through remote work. 

When Leslie arrived at F&C, the Software team looked very different than it does today. For many years, if software development work needed to be done, there was a good chance it landed on one of two desks, and one of those desks belonged to Leslie. Over time, the team grew, projects expanded, and new faces joined the department. Through it all, Leslie remained a steady presence, helping build something that would become much bigger than the team she first joined.

Yet when asked what she’ll miss most, her answer isn’t about the work itself.

It’s the people.

The friendships built over years of working together. The conversations that happened between projects. The dinners shared after a long day. The laughter woven into everyday work and the satisfaction of accomplishing something together. Those are the moments that come to mind when Leslie reflects on her time at F&C.

If she could go back and have a conversation with herself on her first day, she knows exactly what she would say:

“Relax.

Don’t worry so much.

You are about to be surrounded by some of the kindest, most helpful, and patient people you could ever hope to work with.

People who will answer questions without hesitation. People who will stay on the phone helping solve a problem. People who won’t spend time looking for someone to blame when challenges arise but will focus on finding a way forward together.”

That theme appears throughout every part of Leslie’s story.

She speaks with appreciation about the people she worked alongside, especially those who shared their knowledge freely, offered guidance when it was needed, and made room for laughter along the way. She describes leaders who focused on solutions rather than blame and teammates who were always willing to help. The relationships she built over the years are among the things she values most.