Chelsea Groton Bank Promotes 20

Community & PeopleBusiness

Chelsea Groton Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of 20 employees following a Board of Trustees meeting. 

“Chelsea Groton Bank has been successful for over 165 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 exhibits the traits and behaviours we value – innovative, collaborative, trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable, versatile and positive – and has shown a high level of dedication to their job and the communities we serve. Congratulations to these well-deserving members of the Chelsea team.”
 
 


 
Jennifer Pensa of Stonington, CT, Director of Operations and Technology, has been promoted to Executive Vice President. In her role, Jenn has oversight of Risk and Compliance, Facilities, and the Business Intelligence team as well as Operations and Technology.  Jenn joined Chelsea Groton Bank in February, 2018 after three years at WSFS Bank in Wilmington, DE, where she was Vice President of the Contact Center and Customer Experience department.  Jenn earned her bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Penn State University. She is a 2015 graduate of the CT School of Finance and Management and a 2017 graduate of the Academy Leadership Executive Leadership Excellence course.
 


Katherine Allingham of Preston, CT, Director of Risk Management, has been promoted to First Vice President. Kate joined Chelsea Groton in 1999 and worked in Retail Banking, Financial Services, and Marketing before joining the Risk Management department in 2008. In 2015, she assumed the role of Assistant Director of Risk Management. Kate is a cum laude graduate of Wellesley College and was awarded the John G. Shortell Award for outstanding academic achievement when she graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management in 2007.  Kate is also a graduate of the ABA National and Intermediate Compliance Schools, the ABA Graduate School of Compliance and Risk Management, and the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM).

 

 
Kathryn Alves of Groton, CT, Credit Department Manager, has been promoted to First Vice President. Kate joined Chelsea Groton Bank in 2005 and worked in Loan Servicing and Risk Management before moving to the Commercial Credit department. Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Merrimack College. Kate is a 2008 graduate of the CT School of Finance and Management and a 2011 graduate of the Chamber ECT Leadership Program. Kate has received several awards including the 2012 Chelsea Award, 2013 40 Under Forty, and 2015 Connecticut Banker’s Association (CBA) New Leader in Banking Award.

 

 
Alex Masse of Baltic, CT, has been promoted to Director of Operations and Business Intelligence, and First Vice President. In this new role, Alex will be assuming responsibility for Business Intelligence, in addition to his responsibility for the Business Banking and Deposit Operations departments. Alex joined the Bank as a teller in 1998, and held various branch positions for 15 years. Since 2013, Alex has overseen the suite of treasury management tools and services offered at the Bank. In 2011, Alex was named a New Leader in Banking by the CBA and in 2014, he was named a 40 Under Forty honoree. Alex graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management, the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking, and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. He serves on the Town of Sprague Board of Finance and is a Board member for the Sprague, Franklin, Canterbury Little League. 
 

 
Jessica Todd of Niantic, CT, Director of Finance, has been promoted to First Vice President. Jess has been with Chelsea Groton Bank since 2004 and is responsible for all aspects of the finance function including staff, systems, and financial reporting. Jess has a master’s degree in Accounting and a CPA license. In addition, Jess completed the ABA Stonier Graduate School in 2014 and was named a CBA New Leader in Banking in 2012. Jess is President of the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation and serves as Treasurer for the East Lyme Middle School PTA.
 

 
Barbara Curto of Mystic, CT, Marketing Manager, has been promoted to Vice President and has assumed responsibility for management oversight of the Bank’s community education programs. Barb joined Chelsea Groton in 2015 as a Marketing Representative. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University Maryland and earned a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication from Villanova University. Barb graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management in 2019, and was a recipient of Banking New England’s 2019 Women of Fire Award. 

 
Beth Glynn of Oakdale, CT, Retail Loan Originator, has been promoted to Vice President. Beth joined Chelsea Groton in 1995 and has spent the past 25 years as a Retail Loan Originator. Beth is an Ambassador for Safe Futures and a member of the Southeastern CT Women’s Network. She is also an active Board Member for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Eastern Connecticut (HBRAECT). She was a 2014 New Leaders in Banking award winner, 2016 George W. Strouse Spirit Award recipient and was recently honored with the 2019 HBRAECT Affiliate of the Year Award.  
 

 
Jean McGran of Norwich, CT, has been promoted to Member Experience Market Manager and Vice President. She will have responsibility for regional management. Jean joined the Bank in 2017 as a Regional Sales and Service Manager. She graduated from Furman University’s School of Retail Bank Management and has over 30 years of retail banking experience. Jean is a 2018 Chelsea Award recipient, and in 2019, graduated from the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce L.E.A.D. Program. 

 

 
Kristin Zummo of East Lyme, CT, Learning and Development Manager, has been promoted to Vice President.  Kristin joined Chelsea Groton in January 2018 after several years at Electric Boat, where she spearheaded Training and Employee Development. Kristin has a bachelor’s degree from Messiah College and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Mansfield University. She is a certified DiSC Assessment Facilitator and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

 

 
Michele Magowan of Groton, CT, Retail Lending Sales Specialist, has been promoted to Assistant Treasurer. She started her career at Chelsea Groton as a teller in 1988. In 2000, she became a Residential Loan Representative and has held various roles in the Residential Lending department since that time. In 2013, Michelle assumed the responsibility of the Retail Internet Lending Specialist. Michelle is a 2003 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Leadership Program.    

 

 
Jamie Goulas of Moosup, CT, Retail Loan Originator, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Jamie joined Chelsea Groton in 2015. She graduated from Three Rivers Community College with a Marketing degree and an Accounting concentration. In 2018, Jamie graduated from the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce L.E.A.D. Program.
 
 
 
Mario Siciliano of Westerly, RI, has been promoted to Technology Operations Manager. Mario joined Chelsea Groton in 2016, and was promoted to Technology Services Specialist II last year. He has been instrumental in providing Bank-wide technical support, development of the Bank’s employee intranet, and migration to VDI among other projects.  Mario has a degree in Information Technology, Network Engineering, from the New England Institute of Technology along with several certifications from industry-leading companies.

Christina Nocito of New London, CT, BSA Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Treasurer. Christina joined Chelsea Groton Bank in 1998 as a Checking Account Representative, and went on to hold various roles in Deposit Services, including the Risk and Compliance Specialist for the Deposit Services department. In 2015, she joined the BSA department. She has a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Southern New Hampshire University. Christina graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. Christina is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the OIC of New London, is Treasurer of Shoreline Roller Derby Inc., and volunteers at New London Community Meal Center and Habitat for Humanity. She is a 2018 George W. Strouse Spirit Award recipient. 

Matthew Benoit of Westerly, RI, has been promoted to Project Management Specialist and Assistant Secretary. In this new role, Matt will be responsible for bank-wide project management. Matt joined Chelsea Groton in 2015 as the Business Process Analyst. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. 

Matthew Hastava of West Hartford, CT, Security Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Matt joined Chelsea Groton Bank in 2019 as the Operations and Technology Coordinator. Matt has a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Connecticut State University. He is a Family Counseling Center board member and assists with the fundraising efforts for the United Way. 

Becky Jacoinski of Westerly, RI, Benefits and Wellness Specialist, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Becky joined the Bank in 1995 as a Loan Servicing Representative, and has held various roles in lending and customer service. A few years later, she transitioned to Human Resources, where she currently oversees employee benefits and all wellness programming. Becky graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management in 2001 and was a 2015 Chelsea Award recipient.

Sara Lundy of Oakdale, CT, Compliance Administrator, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Sara joined Chelsea Groton in 2016 as a Risk and Compliance Specialist. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Thiel College and a MBA from New England College of Business and Finance. Sara is a graduate of the ABA Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced Compliance schools, and is a 2019 graduate from the CT School of Finance and Management. She is a board member of the Bank Compliance Association of Connecticut.

Jessica Mazzaccaro of Newington, CT, Retail Lending Production Administrator, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Jessica joined Chelsea Groton in 2015 when the Bank opened a Lending Center in Glastonbury. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree from Assumption College in Foreign Affairs with a minor in Spanish and Politics. 

Damen Norton of Groton, CT, Lending Compliance and Encompass Administrator, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. He joined Chelsea Groton in 2018 as the Loan Servicing Team Lead. Damen graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management in 2012 and he is Lending Compliance certified through the American Bankers Association.

Elizabeth Owen of Norwich, CT, Senior Credit Analyst, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Liz joined the Bank in 2010 as a temporary employee in the Human Resources Department and moved to Loan Servicing in 2011 as the Escrow Representative. This past October, Liz was promoted to the position of Senior Credit Analyst. Liz was awarded the Chelsea Award in 2017. 

About Chelsea Groton Bank
Based in Groton, Conn., 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.

Chelsea Groton Bank Promotes 20