Chelsea Groton Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of 21 employees following a Board of Trustees meeting.
“Chelsea Groton Bank has been successful for over 167 years because of the dedication and commitment each member of Team Chelsea has for their job and the communities we serve,” said Michael Rauh, President and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank. “Each of the employees earning a promotion exhibits the traits and behaviors we value – they are innovative, collaborative, trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable, versatile, positive and inclusive. Congratulations to these well-deserving members of our team.”
Katherine Allingham of Preston, CT, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Compliance and Risk Management. Kate joined the Bank in 1999 as a Customer Service Representative, became a Financial Services Representative, and subsequently served as the Bank’s Marketing Manager and Compliance Officer. She completed her Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) certification in 2013. In 2015, she was promoted to Vice President, Assistant Director of Risk and Compliance. Since 2019, she has held dual roles, as both Director of Risk Management and the Director of Compliance. Kate earned her bachelor’s degree cum laude from Wellesley College, and graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management, the ABA’s National, Intermediate, and Graduate Schools of Compliance and Risk Management, as well as the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She serves as President and Treasurer of the Preston Public Library.
Kelly Allard of Sprague, CT, Loan Servicing and Lending Compliance Manager, has been promoted to First Vice President. Since joining the Bank as a part-time teller in 2002, she held several positions before becoming the Loan Servicing and Lending Compliance Manager in 2018. Kelly graduated from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program and the Connecticut School of Finance & Management. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2019, and recently received her Mortgage Compliance Professional (CMCP) certification from the Mortgage Bankers Association. She is a recipient of the 2009 and 2010 Chelsea Officer Award, 2012 Chelsea Award, and has been named a 2022 “New Leader in Banking” by the Connecticut Bankers Association. Kelly currently volunteers in several roles at her church.
Richard Balestracci of Stonington, CT, Commercial Loan Officer, has been promoted to First Vice President. Rich joined the Bank in March 2014 as a Senior Credit Analyst and was promoted to Portfolio Manager/Commercial Loan Officer in January 2015. Rich is a 2007 graduate of University of Connecticut and earned his MBA from University of New Haven. He graduated from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program and the Stonier National School of Banking. Rich has been named to The Day’s “40 Under Forty” list, recognized by the Independent Community Bankers of America as a “40 Under Forty” leader, and was named a “New Leader in Banking” by the Connecticut Bankers Association. He volunteers locally as the Treasurer of the Stonington Community Center, member of the Stonington Economic Development Commission, and member of the Loan Administration Board with Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer).
Tamela Higgins of Westerly, RI, Human Resources Manager, has been promoted to First Vice President. Tam joined Chelsea Groton Bank in 2012 with over 25 years of experience in Human Resources. Tamela received the George W. Strouse Spirit Award in 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Post University and a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She recently earned a coaching certification from Lee Hecht Harrison. Tam serves on the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Education Council, the Jonnycake Center of Westerly’s scholarship committee, and holds board positions with both local and state Human Resources councils.
Jean McGran of Norwich, CT, Member Experience Market Manager, has been promoted to First Vice President. Jean joined the Bank in 2017 as a Regional Sales and Service Manager with over 30 years of retail banking experience. In January 2020, Jean was promoted to the Member Experience Market Manager, responsible for providing strategic direction in the management and leadership of the retail banking network. She is a 2018 Chelsea Award recipient. Jean graduated from Furman University’s School of Retail Bank Management, the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce LEAD program and the New England Leadership Development Program. She serves on the board of the Chelsea Groton Foundation, as well as the executive board, the finance board and is currently the interim Board President of the Riverfront Children’s Center.
Kristin Zummo of East Lyme, CT, has been promoted to First Vice President/Director of Business Intelligence. She joined Chelsea Groton Bank in January 2019 as the Learning and Development Manager. In addition to oversight of the Business Intelligence and Project Management functions at the Bank, she will continue in her role as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Kristin has a bachelor’s degree from Messiah University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Mansfield University. She is a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) through the Society for Human Resource Management. In 2019, Kristin received the Chelsea Award and in 2021, she was recognized as a “New Leader in Banking” by the Connecticut Bankers Association. She is an active volunteer in the CT chapter of the Lasagna Love organization.
Melinda Burridge of Waterford, CT, Regional Sales and Service Manager, has been promoted to Vice President. Mel joined Chelsea Groton in 2006, with several years of retail bank management experience. In 2013, she was promoted to Regional Sales and Service Manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management from Salve Regina University. Mel also graduated from the Eastern Connecticut Chamber Leadership program and the Connecticut School of Finance & Management. She received the Chelsea Award in 2013. Mel is an active member of the community, serving on several event committees, and volunteering with schools and community theaters.
Chrissy Caplet of Bozrah, CT, has been promoted to Vice President, Operations and Security Manager. She’s been a member of the Chelsea Groton team since 2000, working as a Customer Service Representative, in various roles in retail branches, and most recently as the Regional Sales and Service Manager of the inland region. In 2021, she became Security Manager, and also took on operations-related responsibilities. Chrissy is a graduate of the Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and the Connecticut School of Finance and Management. She recently attained the designation Certified Community Bank Security Officer through the ICBA. In 2013, she was named to The Day’s 40 Under Forty list, and in 2014, was a Chelsea Award recipient. Chrissy serves as the president of the Montville Youth Soccer Club, Treasurer for Southeast Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (SECJSA), and is Treasurer for the Madonna Place Board of Directors.
Jennifer DeLucia of North Franklin, CT, Accounting Manager, has been promoted to Vice President. Jen joined the Bank in 2006 as a Sales Associate, became the Financial Services Program Manager in 2011, and then joined the Accounting team in 2015. Jen earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut. She is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. Jen serves as Secretary of the Three Rivers College Foundation Board of Directors.
Sarah Dion of Oakdale, CT, Internal Audit Manager, has been promoted to Vice President. Sarah joined Chelsea Groton in 1993 and has worked in the Retail Banking, Training, and Risk departments before joining the Internal Audit department in 2007. Sarah earned an Associate’s degree from the University of New Haven, and graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management. She volunteers for the Special Olympics Penguin Plunge, serves as Secretary for the Montville Youth Soccer Club, and is a new member of the Groton Scholarship Fund.
Dawn Sandvoss of Mystic, CT, Commercial Loan Officer, has been promoted to the position of Vice President. Dawn joined Chelsea Groton Bank in March 2020 and acts as the primary Commercial Lender referral source for branch-based loan referrals. Dawn earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, and is a 2018 graduate of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Leadership program. Dawn distributes food with the United Way mobile food pantry, and is a member of the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network.
Lisa Fields of Griswold, CT, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Facilities Manager. She joined the Bank in 1999, and has held numerous roles, including her current oversight of purchasing, facilities and relationship management with tenants, property and maintenance partners. She has completed countless courses offered through the Bank’s training department, including the Chelsea Professional Management Series, as well as external writing and Microsoft program workshops.
Vira Fiore-LaBrecque of Waterford, CT, Customer Care Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Since joining the Bank in 1989, Vira has led her department in leveraging new technologies, including Chelsea LIVE Video Banking App, Video Banking ATMs and Chat, in order to provide a superior member experience. She has also been instrumental in leading her team as they handled record-call volume during the early parts of the pandemic. Vira graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program.
Maria Grenier of Scotland, CT, Deposit Operations Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Since joining the Bank two years ago, Maria has worked to convert the Deposit Operations Department to a nearly-paperless environment, while still ensuring compliance with all regulations and a positive customer experience. Maria has earned several diplomas through the Center for Financial Training, and received a National Check Professional Certification through ECCHO, and graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.
Sara Lundy of Oakdale, CT, Compliance Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Sara joined Chelsea Groton in 2016 as a Risk and Compliance Specialist and was named Compliance Manager in 2021. She also holds the roles of CRA Officer, Privacy Officer, and Identity Theft Prevention Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Thiel College and a MBA from New England College of Business and Finance. Sara graduated from the ABA Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced Compliance schools and CT School of Finance and Management. In 2020, she completed her Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) certification. She is a board member of the Bank Compliance Association of Connecticut, Chairperson of the Town of Montville’s Planning and Zoning Commission, and the chair of two of the Bank’s management committees – Compliance and Community Investment.
Yana Kozleva of Preston, CT, Senior Auditor, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Since joining Chelsea Groton in 2002, Yana has been instrumental in supporting the Internal Audit department. Yana earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, and achieved the Certified Internal Auditor distinction from The Institute of Internal Auditors. She graduated with honors from the CT School of Finance and Management and also completed the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s Leadership Program. She regularly volunteers for the Special Olympics’ Penguin Plunge event and the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, and she is a longstanding committee member of the Bank’s CFit employee wellness program.
Rebecca Magner of Pawcatuck, CT, Customer Solutions Manager at the Bank’s Pawcatuck and North Stonington branches, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. In addition to her branch management responsibilities, Rebecca was a key player on the Paycheck Protection Program team, and is currently working with PPP borrowers on their forgiveness applications. Rebecca received the George W. Strouse Spirit award in 2020 and recently graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management. She previously served on the board of the Jonnycake Center in Westerly.
Mandy Crispim of Norwich, CT, Customer Solutions Manager for the Norwich Branch, has been promoted to Assistant Treasurer. Since joining the Bank in 2009, Mandy has been working to guide customers toward their financial goals and work with colleagues to reach their professional goals. She was also a member of the PPP loan program task force. Mandy graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management. She serves on the Board and financial committee of Saint Vincent de Paul Place of Norwich, is an ambassador of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Norwich Events Organization. Mandy is also a member of the Bank’s CFit employee wellness program, and regularly volunteers at Bank-sponsored events in the community.
Damen Norton of Groton, CT, Lending Compliance and Encompass Administrator, has been promoted to Assistant Treasurer. Damen joined Chelsea Groton in 2018 as the Loan Servicing Team Lead and was soon promoted to his current role. Damen graduated from the CT School of Finance and Management in 2012 and he is Lending Compliance certified through the American Bankers Association. He serves as Chairman of the Groton Scholarship Fund Committee.
Elizabeth Owen of Norwich, CT, Senior Credit Analyst, has been promoted to Assistant Treasurer. Liz joined the Bank in 2010 as a temporary employee and has held various roles in loan servicing and credit. Liz played a critical role throughout the pandemic and implementation of the CARES act, and has become the primary underwriter for the department. She received the Chelsea Award in 2017. Liz is currently working toward her undergraduate degree and has completed the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s Leadership Program. Liz serves as Treasurer for the Groton Scholarship Fund.
Timothy Rich of Norwich, CT, has transferred to the Financial Analyst role for the Accounting Department and has been promoted to Assistant Secretary. Tim joined Chelsea Groton in 2018 as a Senior Credit Analyst. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Sacred Heart University and serves in the Connecticut National Guard. From December 2020 through July 2021, Tim was responsible for 130 soldiers who administered Covid tests and vaccines throughout the state.
