Chelsea Groton Bank Promotes 7

Groton, CT – Chelsea Groton Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of seven employees, following its Board of Trustees meeting.
 
“Chelsea Groton Bank is the long-standing financial institution it is because of the hard-working people behind it,” said Michael Rauh, President and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank. “Each of these employees has proven to be dedicated to their jobs, and committed to going the extra mile. Congratulations to these well-deserving members of the Chelsea team.”
 
The following team members received promotions:
 
Rachel Carlson (NMLS #646284) of Preston, CT, Retail Lending Operations Manager, has been promoted to Vice President. Rachel joined the Bank in 2003, and has since held various roles in the Loan Servicing and Loan Processing departments. Rachel is a 2009 graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and a 2014 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. Rachel was the recipient of a 2014 Chelsea Award, and was recently recognized as a Southeastern CT 40 Under Forty Award winner.
 
Tamela Higgins of Westerly, RI, Human Resources Manager, has been promoted to Vice President.  Tamela joined the Bank in 2012 with over 25 years of experience in Human Resources. Tamela has been instrumental in staffing, coaching managers and employees, and process improvements. Tamela serves on the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Education Council and the Jonnycake Center Scholarship and Governance committees. 
 
Richard Balestracci of Stonington, CT, Portfolio Manager/Commercial Loan Officer, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President.  Rich joined the Bank in 2014 as Senior Credit Analyst, before being promoted to Portfolio Manager/Commercial Loan Officer and Assistant Treasurer last January. Rich earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut in 2007 and a MBA for emerging leaders from the University of New Haven in 2013. He is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program, and is actively involved in the Stonington Economic Development Committee. Rich was recently recognized as a Southeastern CT 40 Under Forty Award winner.
 
Ishmael Bryan of Groton, CT, Collection Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President.  Ishmael joined the Bank in 2008 as a Loan Servicing Representative. In 2011, he moved to the Collection Department, and in 2015 was promoted to Collection Manager. Ishmael earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Bryant University. He is a 2013 graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management with highest honors.  He is currently co-president of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, chair of the Groton Scholarship Committee, director of flag football for the Groton Mystic Falcons youth program, and a member of the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association’s Loss Mitigation Committee.
 
Pam Days-Luketich of Mystic, CT, CRA Coordinator and Community Outreach Officer, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Pam joined the Bank in 1988 as a Loan Service Representative.  She then spent 15 years in the Accounting Department, before launching the Bank’s Community Education program in 2004. Pam serves on the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut‘s Business Education Committee, The Community Bank’s Education Coalition, TIAC Grasso’s advisory board, the Chelsea Groton Foundation Board and the Affordable Housing committees of the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA) and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. She is a co-chair for the United Way campaign, and is treasurer for Higher Edge Board of Directors. Pam is also an adjunct faculty member at Three Rivers Community College. Most recently, Pam was selected as a New Leader in Banking by the Connecticut Bankers Association and the Warren Group, publisher of the Commercial Record.
 
Marta Amor-Baker (NMLS #89186) of Marlborough, CT, Retail Loan Originator, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary.  Marta joined the Bank in 2014 with more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience.  She attended Greater Hartford Community College and has completed several corporate training programs in banking, lending, management techniques and public speaking. Marta is an active volunteer with her church and local shelters in the Hartford area.
 
Jennifer Eastbourne of Ledyard, CT, Financial Services Program Coordinator, has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Jennifer joined the Bank in 2013 as a Financial Services Associate with over ten years of financial services experience. She is a graduate of Westfield State College and holds Series 7, 66, and Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses. Jennifer is a member of the class of 2016 Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. For the past five years, she has been on the planning committee for the March of Dimes Mystic March for Babies.

About Chelsea Groton Financial Services
Investment and insurance products and services are offered through INFINEX INVESTMENTS, INC. Member FINRA / SIPC. Chelsea Groton Financial Services is a trade name of the Bank. Infinex and the Bank are not affiliated. Products and services made available through Infinex are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United States and are not deposits or obligations of nor guaranteed or insured by any bank or bank affiliate. These products are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of value.
 
About Chelsea Groton Bank
Based in Groton, CT, Chelsea Groton Bank is a mutually owned bank with 14 locations throughout New London County and a Loan Production Office in Hartford County. The Bank has over $989 million in assets and serves businesses, individuals and families throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. To learn more, please visit chelseagroton.com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.