Country Bank Announces Four Promotions

WARE — Mary McGovern, president and CEO of Country Bank, announced the promotions of four team members whose leadership and dedication continue to elevate the bank and the communities it serves.

Jodie Gerulaitis

Jodie Gerulaitis has been promoted to first vice president of Community Relations. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, she has a long-standing commitment to financial education and community engagement. She consistently represents the bank with professionalism, warmth, and a strong dedication to making a difference. Her passion for financial literacy is evident in her advocacy efforts, including her recent testimony at the Massachusetts State House supporting mandated financial literacy in schools.

In addition to overseeing the bank’s financial literacy and community relations programs, Gerulaitis serves on multiple nonprofit boards and leads initiatives that strengthen the bank’s partnerships with regional organizations. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. School for Financial Studies and the American Bankers Assoc. Bank Marketing School, and will graduate from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking this June. She also earned an executive certificate in management and leadership from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Alyson Weeks

Alyson Weeks has been promoted to first vice president of Human Resources and Professional Development. With 16 years of service at Country Bank, including the past 10 years in the Human Resources function, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the bank’s culture and supporting its continued evolution. Her passion for developing people and building meaningful programs has strengthened professional growth opportunities for team members across the organization.

In addition to her work at the bank, Weeks is an active member of the community, serving on the board of River East School-to-Career and as a member of the Pathfinder business technology advisory committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Worcester State University and a master’s degree in secondary education from American International College.

Lorraine Askew

Lorraine Askew has been promoted to assistant vice president and Retail Banking officer at the Ludlow banking center. A 23-year veteran of Country Bank, she brings extensive experience in customer service, retail banking, and team leadership. She is known for her strong mentorship and commitment to staff development, helping others grow into leadership roles.

A dedicated community leader, Askew is actively involved with several organizations, including the Ludlow Community Center/Randall’s Boys and Girls Club, the VFW Auxiliary, the Get Your Pink On committee, and the Ludlow Rotary. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. School for Financial Studies and recently earned her associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College.

Melissa Stefanowich has been promoted to assistant vice president and Retail Banking officer at the Belchertown banking center. With more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry, she has built a career defined by hard work, leadership, and a passion for service.

Melissa Stefanowich

Stefanowich is currently attending the New England School for Financial Studies and is a dedicated advocate for community causes, serving on the boards of Community Options, Belchertown Day School, and the Massachusetts/Rhode Island chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. She also serves on the bank’s diversity, equity, and inclusion council and has led her branch through consistent growth and success.

“We are excited to announce the well-deserved promotions of Jodie, Alyson, Lorraine, and Melissa,” said Miriam Siegel, chief Culture and Development officer at Country Bank. “Their hard work, dedication, and contributions have been instrumental to the bank’s success. We take great pride in supporting our team members’ commitment to continuous professional and personal growth, empowering them to explore the many rewarding career paths in community banking.”