Departments People on the Move

People on the Move

Marie Bowen has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for human resources at UMass Amherst following a nationwide search. Bowen, who will join the university administration in August, will serve as the chief human-resources officer for the campus. She will be responsible for developing human-resources policies and strategies, and will advise Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and the Campus Leadership Council on human-resources policies, procedures, and regulations. James Sheehan, vice chancellor for administration and finance, said, “we are excited to have someone of Marie Bowen’s caliber join the UMass Amherst community. She brings a wealth of human-resources experience to this key position, most recently serving as the associate dean and chief human resource officer at the Harvard Law School. Prior to that, she served as the director of human resources at the Massachusetts Port Authority. We look forward to working with Marie in her new role and on new initiatives that will continue to make UMass Amherst an employer of choice for faculty and staff.” Bowen graduated cum laude from Harvard College and received a master’s degree from Simmons College and a juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is also certified as a senior professional in human resources.
•••••
Florence Bank announced that Rachel Dionne has been named to the President’s Club for 2015. Employees nominate their peers for the President’s Club honor, which recognizes superior performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Dionne, a commercial credit analyst who has been with the bank since 2011, was nominated by numerous colleagues. Dionne is a graduate of American International College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and her master’s degree in nonprofit management. Her numerous volunteer endeavors include serving as a board of trustees member with the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School in South Hadley; she is also a member of the school’s finance committee. In addition, she is a youth ministry group volunteer, eucharistic minister, and lector at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield. “We received so many comments about Rachel — everything from ‘I was amazed at how much work she was able to accomplish on a project and still maintain her regular workload’ to ‘she always goes well above what is expected of her,’” said John Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank. “Rachel’s remarkable work ethic and sincere desire to contribute make her an outstanding member of the President’s Club.”
•••••

Brian Risler

Brian Risler

Farmington Bank announced the appointment of Brian Risler as assistant vice president, mortgage sales manager for the Western Mass. region. Risler will lead Farmington Bank’s efforts in building a team of residential loan specialists serving the Western Mass. market. In addition, he’ll originate first mortgages in concert with Farmington Bank’s commercial-lending team in Western Mass. and the bank’s future branch offices opening later this year in West Springfield and East Longmeadow. “We are thrilled to have Brian join our growing team of experienced, local banking professionals serving Western Massachusetts,” said John Patrick Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of Farmington Bank. “We look forward to Brian’s leadership, expertise, and local decision-making skills in creating and servicing mortgages for our customers.” Risler has more than 15 years of experience in residential mortgage banking in Massachusetts. He comes to Farmington Bank from Residential Mortgage Services Inc., where he served as branch manager for its Easthampton office. Since 2005, Risler has served as an affiliate member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) and serves as the co-chair of RAPV’s Education Fair & Trade Expo Task Force. In addition, Risler serves on the Government Affairs/Realtor Political Action Committee, which promotes the legislative agenda of the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors; as president of the Mill River BNI, a networking group of area businesses; and as a member of both the Greater Easthampton and Greater Northampton chambers of commerce. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Stonehill College. Farmington Bank is a full-service community bank with 22 branch locations throughout Central Conn., offering commercial and residential lending as well as wealth-management services in Connecticut and Western Mass. For more information, visit farmingtonbankct.com.
•••••
Heidi-Jo Kemp

Heidi-Jo Kemp

North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced that Heidi-Jo Kemp has joined the bank as vice president and residential loan officer. “Heidi-Jo is an excellent and valued addition to our lending team,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank President and CEO Donna Boulanger. “Her experience and expertise are well-known in the area, making her a wonderful asset to our growing customer base and expanding Mortgage Center. I am confident that she will be a great benefit to our current and future customers wishing to purchase or refinance a home.” Kemp is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College. She began her banking career at Country Bank in 1988 and was a standout performer for 27 years, receiving numerous awards and being active in many community organizations. She joins NBSB’s Mortgage Center team, comprised of a group of skilled mortgage professionals led by mortgage expert Donna Tiso, senior vice president and retail lending manager. “I’m very excited about joining North Brookfield Savings Bank,” Kemp said. “Donna Tiso has assembled a very capable and strong retail lending team at the NBSB Mortgage Center, and I’m very proud to be a part of it. I look forward to helping people navigate the home-buying process, so that individuals, couples, and families can finance the home of their dreams.” Kemp is a member of several community organizations, including the Central Mass. South Chamber of Commerce, the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Regional Assoc. of Realtors, and Woman in Business Inc. North Brookfield Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Palmer, and Three Rivers. To contact Kemp for assistance purchasing or refinancing a home, call (774) 452-3918 or e-mail [email protected]. For residential-loan information, contact the Mortgage Center at (508) 867-1302 or [email protected].