Chelsea Groton Bank Promotes 17

Groton, CT – Chelsea Groton Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of 17 employees, including five members of the Bank’s senior leadership team, following a Board of Trustees meeting.
 
“Chelsea Groton Bank has been successful for over 160 years because of the hard-working team of people we have here,” said Michael Rauh, President and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank. “Each of the employees earning a promotion is innovative, collaborative, trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable and versatile, and has shown a high level of dedication to their jobs and the communities we serve. Congratulations to these well-deserving members of the Chelsea team.”
 
Anthony Joyce of Uncasville, CT, has been promoted to Senior Loan Officer and Executive Vice President.  Tony joined the Bank in 2014 with over 30 years of experience in lending.  Tony received his undergraduate degree from UConn and his MBA from the University of New Haven. He was an honors graduate from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. In addition, Tony is a Board member of Catholic Charities of Norwich, the Parish Council of St. Peter and Paul, and the Diocese of Norwich Finance Council.
 
Michael Sheahan of Wolcott, CT, has been promoted to Director of Retail Lending and Executive Vice President.  Mike joined the Bank in 2013 with over 35 years in the mortgage and retail lending business.  Mike graduated from University of Connecticut with a degree in Finance and achieved CPA status while at Ernst & Young, where he served clients with a focus on financial institutions. He graduated from the CT Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA) School of Mortgage Banking and is recognized as an Accredited Mortgage Professional by the CMBA.  Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Connecticut Housing Alliance. He is also an active member of the CMBA, serving on the Board of Directors, Affordable Housing Committee, and Finance Committee over the last several years.
 
Richard Morelli of Norwich, CT, has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary.  Rich joined the Bank in 1991 as Chief Auditor, was promoted to Finance Director in 1995 and then to Chief Financial Officer for the Accounting/Finance Department in 2004. Rich earned his BA from Assumption College and his MBA from New York University. He received his CPA certificate and is a graduate of Stonier Graduate School of Banking.  Rich is actively involved with the Center for Financial Training (CFT) Bank Forum Council, Norwich Free Academy as a Corporator and Investment Committee member, treasurer for the Norwich Cemetery Association, and on the City of Norwich Personnel and Pension Board.
 
William Lidestri of North Stonington, CT, Director of Operations and Technology, has been promoted to Executive Vice President. Bill joined the Bank in 2012 with over 30 years of banking experience.  Bill holds a Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in Finance.
 
Lori Dufficy of Groton, CT, Director of Sales and Service, has been promoted to Executive Vice President. Lori joined the Bank in 2011 as Senior Vice President/Director of Business Development and was then promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing in 2014. In addition, she graduated from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program, the ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management and earned her CFMP certification in 2013. She was named a New Leader in Banking in 2017. She serves on the Boards of the CT Better Business Bureau and the Chelsea Groton Foundation. She also serves on committees of the L & M Cancer Center Capital Campaign, L & M Gala, Boy Scouts of America-CT River Council OLAR (Outstanding Leadership), and the Waterford Country School Annual Bring Your Mojo golf tournament.
 
Denise Fournier of Norwich, CT, Director of Internal Audit, has been promoted to Vice President.  Denise joined the Bank in 1995 as a Chief Auditor and was promoted to Director of Internal Audit in 2002. Denise received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University.  She is a member of the Cathedral of Saint Patricks’ choir and secretary for the Institute of Management Accountants.
 
Richard Balestracci of Stonington, CT, has been promoted to Commercial Loan Officer and Vice President. Rich joined the Bank in March 2014 as a Senior Credit Analyst. He was promoted to Portfolio Manager/Commercial Loan Officer and Assistant Treasurer in January 2015, and Assistant Vice President in 2016. Rich is a 2007 graduate of University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He earned an MBA for Emerging Leaders from University of New Haven in 2013 and is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. Rich was named to The Day’s 40 Under Forty list in 2015. Rich is actively involved in the Stonington Economic Development Commission.
 
Jessica Todd of Niantic, CT, has been promoted to Director of Finance. Jessica has been with the Bank since 2004 and is responsible for all aspects of the finance function.  Jessica has a Master’s degree in Accounting from Bryant College and a CPA certification. In addition, Jessica graduated from Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 2014 and was named a New Leader in Banking in 2012. Jess serves as Treasurer for the East Lyme Middle School PTA and as Vice President for the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation.
 
Jennifer DeLucia of Franklin, CT, has been promoted to Accounting Manager and Assistant Vice President. Jen joined the Bank in 2006 as a Sales Associate and was then promoted to Financial Services Program Manager in 2011. She then transferred to the Accounting/Finance Department as a Senior Accountant in 2015. Jen has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut, and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program.  Jen serves on the Three Rivers Foundation Board of Directors and the Daniel A. Boucher Memorial Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees.
 
Susan Bailey of Norwich, CT, has been promoted to Retail Lending Underwriter II and Assistant Secretary for the Retail Lending Department. Susan joined Chelsea Groton Bank in 2016 with 20 years of experience in the mortgage banking industry.  She holds bachelors’ degrees in Magazine Journalism and Psychology from Syracuse University. Susan volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut and the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut.
 
Ana Healy of Westerly, RI, Retail Administrator and Skills Development Coach, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Ana joined the bank in July 2016 as Branch Administration Specialist. Ana was promoted in July 2017 to Retail Administrator and Skills Development Coach. Ana is involved in the community and volunteers regularly at Bank-sponsored events.
 
Carleen Lee of New London, CT, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Carleen joined Chelsea Groton in 1988 and was promoted to Branch Manager of the New London branch in 2017. Carleen graduated from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program.  She will graduate from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management in 2018.
 
Kelly Meakem of Norwich, CT, has been promoted to Business Banking Supervisor and Assistant Secretary.  Kelly joined the Bank in 2008 as a Teller. She became a Deposit Services Representative in 2014, Cash Management Specialist in 2015, and Business Banking Specialist in 2017. Kelly earned a B.A. in English from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2010, and graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management in 2016. 
 
Jennifer Seuferling of Groton, CT, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Jen has been with Chelsea Groton Bank since 2007 and was promoted to Branch Manager of the North Stonington branch in 2016.  Jen is an active member of the Holly Green Association and volunteers regularly within the community.  Jen graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management in 2017.
 
Lize-Anne Stewart of Hanover, CT, Financial Analyst for the Accounting/Finance Department, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Lize-Anne joined the Bank in 2016 bringing with her 16 years of accounting, finance, and credit analysis experience.  Lize-Anne obtained her Associate’s degree in Accounting and Liberal Arts from Quinnebaug Valley Community College.
 
Marielle Winkelman of Ledyard, CT, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Marielle joined Chelsea Groton in 2014 and was promoted to Branch Manager of the Waterford branch in 2017. She is a graduate of Post University with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration/Management and will graduate from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management in 2019. She often volunteers at Bank-sponsored events. 
 
Alysha Yepes of Groton, CT, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Alysha joined the bank in January 2016 as Branch Manager of the Norwich-Westside branch. Alysha graduated from the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program in 2017. Actively involved in the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, she was recently elected to the Board of Directors, serves as Chairman of the Education Committee and is a member of the BizEd, United Way, and Nominations committees. 

About Chelsea Groton Bank
Based in Groton, CT, Chelsea Groton Bank is a full-service mutually owned bank with over $1 billion in assets. Chelsea Groton Bank’s products and services include consumer banking, business banking, mortgage and business lending, cash management, financial planning and financial education classes. With 14 branch locations throughout New London County and a Loan Production Office in Hartford County, Chelsea Groton Bank also provides online and mobile banking, 24-hour telephone banking, and nationwide ATM banking for individuals, families and businesses. To learn more, please visit chelseagroton.com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.