Northfield Savings Bank has announced five appointments to the executive team:
Cheryl A. LaFrance: Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer
In her new role as Chief Operating Officer, Cheryl LaFrance will provide executive leadership for all market development and customer-facing activities. LaFrance has earned this distinction with 26 years of progressive contributions across most of the functions within NSB, and has been a key architect of the Bank’s strong standing in the communities it serves. LaFrance holds a B.S. in Business Management from Bryant University and an MBA from Norwich University.
Alfred J. Flory: Senior Vice President – Chief Lending Officer
With this new appointment, Al Flory will provide executive leadership of the Bank’s Commercial Lending and Commercial Services functions. Flory brings 22 years of experience in leading the Bank’s commercial lending teams and building NSB’s commercial loan portfolio to his new responsibilities as senior lender. Flory will take a lead role as a key collaborator in setting credit policy, determining individual lending authorities, and developing effective market solutions.
Cory B. Richardson: Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
Cory Richardson will provide executive leadership for financial, treasury, control, information technology, commercial credit administration, consumer credit administration, compliance, investment portfolio administration, asset/liability management, planning, and enterprise risk management functions. Richardson came to the Bank 12 years ago as Finance & Accounting Manager and has continued to absorb a wider array of responsibilities in keeping with his new distinction as the Bank CFO. Richardson is a CPA and earned a B.S. in Accounting with valedictorian honors from Husson College.
Donna Austin-Hawley: Senior Vice President – Chief Human Resources Officer
As a new addition to the NSB team, Donna Austin-Hawley will provide executive leadership for all human resources functions and will work in concert with the executive team on overall organizational development. Austin-Hawley comes to the Bank after a significant career serving in senior H.R. roles with four notable Vermont enterprises. She is highly regarded in the H.R. field throughout the state and has occupied numerous leadership posts serving her profession and community institutions.
Janet R. Kinney: Corporate Secretary
Janet Kinney joined the Bank in November as Corporate Secretary. Kinney comes to NSB from Merchants Bank after 15 years of service, primarily as a member of the Human Resources team while concurrently acting as Assistant Corporate Secretary for the past five years. During her tenure at Merchants Bank, Kinney was an active team member, spearheading a number of employee initiatives, including coordination of award-winning company United Way campaigns.
In announcing these appointments, Northfield Savings Bank President and CEO Thomas Leavitt commented, “This group of accomplished financial services professionals sets a great standard for our growing enterprise. The Board and I are pleased with the experience, skills, and deep community roots of the individuals that will be taking us forward.” Leavitt added, “I am honored to team with Cheryl, Al, Cory, Donna, and Janet to build an ever stronger NSB. We have a terrific organization dedicated to serving Vermont households, businesses, non-profits, and communities. The horizon is bright with promise.”
Northfield Savings Bank was founded in Northfield, VT in 1867 by a schoolmaster and haberdasher who believed a local community bank was needed. More than seven generations later, the Bank continues this community-minded tradition Vermont’s premier mutual banking company. It has grown to become the second largest bank headquartered in Vermont, providing a full range of community banking, commercial banking, mortgage banking, and investment services. Northfield Savings Bank operates 13 branches throughout Central Vermont and Chittenden County. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.