Our Next Gen, Homegrown Stars: Banana Ball, New York Times, Duke Basketball & Junior Olympics






We all know Ben Dum, CFP®, Mitch Fenimore, MBA, CEPA®, Debbie Hippensteel, MBA and Bradford Houchins, CFP® are super stars, but you probably don’t know that they have children who have achieved national recognition for their talents! Success stemming from hard work, commitment, and dedication to achieving their goals comes naturally with parents like our colleagues and their wonderful spouses. We are so proud to have them as part of our River Wealth family, and equally proud to introduce them to you.

BEN DUM III: FROM MINOR LEAGUE ACE TO BANANA BALL STAR 

Ben is a professional baseball pitcher who has transitioned from a successful career in affiliated minor league baseball to becoming a standout performer in the world of Banana Ball. Recently named the 2025 Banana Ball Pitcher of the Year, Dum has gained national attention for combining elite pitching skill with viral entertainment. 

Professional Career Evolution

  • Minor League Baseball (MiLB): After pitching for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Ben signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Twins. He spent parts of six seasons in the minor leagues, also playing within the Atlanta Braves organization, reaching as high as the High-A level.

  • Banana Ball Transition: In early 2025, Ben officially joined The Firefighters, one of the primary rival teams of the Savannah Bananas. He earned his spot after a year-long audition process that began with a developmental team called "The Visitors.” A native of Perry County, Ben wears a hat from the Ickesburg Fire Department during games to honor family members who serve as local firefighters. 

  • Viral Success: Ben became a social media sensation for his "handstand pitch," a feat he performed during a game at Washington Nationals Park that quickly went viral. 

Notable Achievements

  • Pitcher of the Year (2025): Ben was recognized as the top pitcher in Banana Ball for his performance with The Firefighters.

  • High School Legend: A graduate of West Perry High School (PA), he still holds multiple school records, including single-season ERA (0.29) and career wins (34). He was also named a three-time PennLive Big 11 pick.

  • Collegiate Success: At VCU, he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team in 2019 and finished his senior season with a 2.18 ERA. 

GEORGE FENIMORE: THE HEART OF THE BLUE DEVILS

George, a Duke University junior, is a standout cheerleader known for his acrobatic, high-flying stunts during basketball games, including his signature "starfish flip.” Academically, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania native is pursuing a pre-med track with a focus on chemistry and marine science, having researched sustainable shoreline solutions at the Duke Marine Lab.

CHRISTOPHER HIPPENSTEEL: FROM INVESTIGATIVE FELLOW TO NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL REPORTER

Chris is a journalist who covers breaking news across the United States for The New York Times as a member of the 2025-26 Times Fellowship class. His reporting spans a wide range of critical national topics, including criminal justice, education, and immigration.

Professional Career & Background

  • The New York Times: Chris joined the National desk in June 2025. He frequently reports on major breaking events, such as the impact of international conflicts on domestic gas prices and national protests regarding immigration enforcement.

  • Investigative Roots: Before joining The Times, he was a Joseph T. Lyons Investigative Fellow at the Times Union in Albany. There, he gained recognition for investigating human smuggling networks at the New York-Canada border and documenting the fatal consequences of police vehicle pursuits.

  • Early Experience: His resume includes reporting for The Daily Beast, The Tampa Bay Times, and CNN. He began his journalism career as a teenager, earning $20 per article writing about high school baseball for his hometown paper, The Northwestern Press.

Education & Notable Work

  • Syracuse University: Graduated summa cum laude in 2023 with degrees in journalism and international relations. He served as an editor for the student-run newspaper, The Daily Orange.

CASSIDY HOUCHINS: JUNIOR OLYMPIC QUALIFER & SWIMSUIT MODEL

Cassidy, a competitive swimmer for the Souderton Area Community Aquatic Club (SACAC), has established herself as a top breaststroke talent in the Middle Atlantic region. She also was brought on by Dolfin Swimwear to be a model for their swimsuit line earlier this year.

Cassidy competed much of the 2025-2026 USA Short Course Season as a 12-year-old, where she was ranked first in the 50 and 100 breaststroke. As of early 2026, Cassidy achieved "Junior Olympic" level qualifying time in 100 breaststroke as a newly minted 13-year-old, competing against other swimmers as old as freshmen in high school.  

  • 2026 SAL Girls League Championships: Secured 1st place in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 33.10.

  • 2025 MA Silver Championships: Secured 1st place in the 100-yard breaststroke and placed highly in freestyle and Individual Medley (IM) events.

  • Qualification Standard: Her consistent sub-34 second times in the 50-yard breaststroke and sub-1:12 times in the 100-yard breaststroke are competitive at the Middle Atlantic Junior Olympic level for her age bracket.

While Cassidy is proving her talent in the water, Bradford continues to do so as well, and is nationally-ranked at the Master's level as a breaststroke swimmer. The breaststroke gene runs strong in the Houchins family! 

Rebecca Stevenson