Shaun Dwyer

First Vice President, PeoplesBank, age 38
Shaun Dwyer has carved out a successful, 17-year career in commercial lending, but he’s never lost sight of the people behind the numbers.
He entered the field as a financial analyst and later assistant vice president at TD Bank, helping to finance real-estate transactions throughout New England and eventually managing a $130 million loan portfolio.
He transitioned to Berkshire Bank, where he was promoted in 2011 to first vice president and regional team leader; in that role, he served as the face of the bank after the June tornado and October snowstorm, reaching out into the community and donating significant volunteer hours in cleanup and rebuilding efforts.
In his newest role at PeoplesBank, he works with borrowers on a wide variety of commercial and real-estate loans in the $500,000 to $10 million range. While the work is busy and satisfying, Dwyer says it’s the one-on-one aspect of the job he values most.
“I appreciate the relationships I’ve been able to cultivate over the past 17 years, watching these individuals grow their companies, and grow in the Springfield region,” he said. “It’s neat to see the dollars we’ve provided benefit them, so that they’re able to do what they need to do and better themselves and their organizations.”
Dwyer also stays active away from work. He serves on the STCC Foundation, where he promotes the college as a workforce and economic-development engine, in the process helping to raise more than $650,000 for scholarships, technology, and program development. He also has a successful relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, personally raising up to $75,000 each year — typically enough to fund three wishes.
In addition, he serves as vice president of the Springfield Riverfront Development Corp., an agency that oversees the development and management of some $10 million in real-estate assets along West Columbus Avenue and has helped persuade several marquee food and entertainment venues to set up shop near the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“That intrigued me because of how important the riverfront is to this region,” he said. “When I join a board, it’s for a purpose.”
That purpose, which runs like a defining thread through Dwyer’s career and community work, is creating opportunity and vitality in the region he loves.

— Joseph Bednar