Two of the four scholarship winners, Carolyn Hernandez (left) and Brenna Lorenzen (right) with Joan Gavini-Campbell

President and CEO, Jack Hamilton, is pleased to award their annual scholarships from the Bank to Carolyn Hernandez, Brenna Lorenzen, Drew Plunkett, and Christopher Nicklas. All four students are 2020 graduates of Medway High School. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate that they have successfully completed their first semester of college and are enrolled for second-semester classes. In order to be eligible for CRB’s scholarship, students must either participate as a student-teller in the School Banking Program at Medway High School (MHS) where Charles River Bank operates a full-service educational branch supervised by Joan Gavini-Campbell, or be employed at any of Charles River Bank’s three offices. The students who work at the MHS office earn school credit as tellers at the school branch. They learn about banking operations, regulations, financial services, and marketing and compete annually at the Federal Reserve in the Massachusetts School Banking Association Competition.

Carolyn is a Political Science major at Framingham State University where she is able to still actively participate in her hobby of six years, acting. Brenna, a defenseman for Ithaca College Women’s Soccer Team, is pursuing a major in business administration with a double concentration in marketing and sports management. Both Carolyn and Brenna also work at tellers in Charles River Bank branches during summers and school vacations. Drew is enrolled at Worcester Polytechnic Institution (WPI) where he is majoring in Management Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering. Drew plays for WPI’s Football Team and is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Christopher attends Providence College. “I’m so grateful to have had the pleasure of working with Charles River Bank, Joan, and, in conjunction, receiving their generous scholarship,” stated Carolyn Hernandez.

“These four individuals are very deserving of these scholarships. Unfortunately, their school banking experience was cut short during their senior year due to the school shutdown from Covid-19. However, they still managed to stand out as excellent candidates and it’s exciting to hear about their college successes. I wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” said Jack Hamilton.

Mendon Branch Officer, Nancy L. MacLeod

Charles River Bank is pleased to announce that Assistant Vice President Nancy L. MacLeod, has been promoted to Mendon Branch Officer. Nancy has been a long-time member of the Charles River Bank team. In 1999, she joined the Bank as a part-time teller in the Medway office. She later was chosen to run the Medway High School Branch when it opened in 2006, followed by a promotion in 2009 to Assistant Branch Manager working at CRB’s newly opened offices in Bellingham and Mendon. In 2016, Nancy moved back to the Main Office in Medway where she was promoted to AVP/Medway Operation Manager. In addition to decades of banking experience, Nancy has completed the Branch Management Certification Series through the Massachusetts Bankers Association.

Nancy replaces AVP Ann Gonyea, who served as the Mendon Branch Officer since that office opened 11 years ago and is retiring to her vacation home in Virginia. Nancy’s new role requires supervisory and administrative responsibility for sales, service, operations, and security of the retail banking office. She will serve as a coach and leader to achieve strategic branch objectives and exceed service standards while maintaining existing customer relationships and developing new business relationships, customer engagement, and regular participation in community and business networking events. “I look forward to this next challenge in my banking career at Charles River Bank. I’m fortunate to work for such a great company that has given me so many opportunities to advance my career. I’m excited to be working again with the Mendon office team members, customers, and community leaders in my new role,” said Nancy.

“Nancy is the perfect candidate to lead our Mendon office team. She has extensive leadership experience, a calm and engaging demeanor, and dedication to our bank. We’re very fortunate to have her managing our Mendon office and I look forward to seeing her excel in this new role,” confirmed Jack Hamilton, President & CEO.

Ann M. Gonyea

The Directors, Officers, and all team members of Charles River Bank extend best wishes to Ann M. Gonyea, AVP/Mendon Branch Officer, as she embarks on her next, well-deserved, journey – retirement. Gonyea was the first Branch Manager of CRB’s Mendon office and has been leading the branch since its opening in 2010. Ann has shown great devotion and hard work to the Bank in her 12 years of dedicated service.

Ann came to CRB with extensive professional experience and achievements. She began her banking career in 1988 and worked at Benjamin Franklin Bank and Bristol County Savings Bank in Franklin, MA, before joining CRB in 2009. Four short years later, Ann was promoted to Assistant Vice President.

Under Ann’s leadership, the Mendon office deposit base has grown to more than $40 million and expanded the customer base to serve hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses in the community. In addition to her work at CRB, Ann was an active leader and volunteer with many local organizations including the Milford Rotary Club, the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce Connecting Women Leaders group, and was the Treasurer of Friends of Mendon Elders.

Although she will be missed dearly by her colleagues and community, Ann is looking forward to retirement. She will be relocating to what has been her family vacation home in Virginia on Smith Mountain Lake with her husband. She is looking forward to enjoying lake life and continuing her painting hobby while also finding some others. She is exceptionally excited for the motorcycle trips around the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband in the near future. “I will miss my co-workers that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I’m excited for this next chapter of my life where I can kick back and pursue my hobbies. I am ready to relax, “said Ann.

“Ann has contributed 12 years of exceptional service to Charles River Bank and her achievements will not be forgotten. She has been a great mentor to many and her influence has made an incredible impact on everyone at the Bank and the community,” Jack Hamilton stated. “I want to thank Ann for all she’s done over the years. Best wishes to her and her husband during their retirement. We will deeply miss her strong work ethic and commitment to our Bank and community.”

Ann’s last day at Charles River Bank Mendon office is Wednesday, April 14^th.