🔒Movers & Shakers for July 6, 2020

STEVEN CHISHOLM has earned a position as an inbound marketing specialist at Vision Advertising in Westborough. Chisholm is a self-published author who has experience with creating short stories, screenplays, radio dramas, and manuscripts. His specialization is in social media marketing, long-form content creation, and technical writing. 

ROBERT KERSTING, of Oxford, was named as Westfield State University interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. After spending close to 25 years at the university, the new role will include providing insight and oversight over key planning specifically for the upcoming New England Commission of Higher Education accreditation. Kersting will be a part of the university's retention measures, student engagement, and achievement. Prior to Westfield State, he began as a social worker for 15 years, then taught at Bridgewater State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, and the School of Social Work at Rutgers University. Kersting has a Ph.D. in social work from Rutgers University in New Jersey, a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University in New York, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, and social work from Hope College in Michigan. 

Unibank in Whitinsville has expanded two roles and promoted members of the commercial banking team. TODD MANDELLA was named director of commercial and industrial lending at the bank. This new role will include growing initiatives for commercial and industrial companies across the region as well as being an integral part of driving the banks strategy. Mandela is a banker with 18 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in economics from Trinity College in Connecticut. JOHN KELLEY was named director of commercial real estate banking, which will expand his role through allowing him to help develop and implement the bank's real estate strategy. Kelley is considered an expert in the workplace and his career has been focused primarily on real estate transactions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance and banking from American International College in Springfield. SHANNEN GRAY, a cash management relationship manager, was promoted to an officer of the bank because of her professionalism and leadership in the commercial teams focus on treasury and deposit services. Gray is a 10-year banking veteran, and earned her bachelor's degree from the New England College of Business in Boston. 

LAURI KOWAL has been named the commercial loan administration officer at Bay State Saving Bank’s 28 Franklin St. location in Worcester. The role will involve Kowal working with the lending team with a focus on commercial lending marketing and business development as well as responsibilities in commercial loan administration. She has more than 20 years of banking experience and prior to Bay State Savings Bank served for 18 years as vice president of marketing for Cornerstone Bank in Southbridge. Kowal is a certified financial marketing professional. 

JOY MURRIETA was selected by the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network as the winner of the 2020 nonprofit excellence award in the young professional category. The award recognizes individuals who are nonprofit professionals making large contributions to their organizations. Other award categories include: collaboration, advocacy, leadership, innovation, and small nonprofit. Murrieta is the executive director of the Worcester nonprofit Main IDEA Youth and Arts. 

JONATHAN MANCINI has been appointed to senior vice president of solar project development for the easter region at Framingham energy firm Ameresco. Within the new role, Mancini will be responsible for the further development of Ameresco’s future strategies regarding renewables growth in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast United States. Mancini has two decades of experience as a seasoned renewable energy professional and has served as senior vice president of project development at BlueWave Solar in Boston. Earlier in his career, Mancini worked in various senior level positions at renewable energy firms including Bridgewell Resources, LLC, wholesale distributor and logistics provider in the Portland, Ore. headquarters. At Bridgewell Resources, he co-founded the Renewable Resources division and served as the head of solar projects. Mancini earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental management at University of Rhode Island. 

DR. MATTHEW MARTINEZ was announced as the new chair of the department of anesthesiology at Milford Regional Medical Center. Martinez has been a member of the department of anesthesiology at Milford Medical Center since 2009. He received his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, then attended SUNY Medical School in Syracuse, where he received his medical degree in 2005. After a transitional internship at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Martinez went for his anesthesiologist residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, in affiliation with Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in anesthesiology. 

Savers Bank in Southbridge announced the promotions of key executive leaders, and the addition of a new chief information officer. KERI GONZALEZ was promoted to senior vice president, operations and eServices, VANNESSA STRATTON was promoted to vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, PETER KASLAUSKAS was promoted to senior vice president of investment services, and DANIEL SERAFIN, SR. was appointed to senior vice president, chief information officer. Gonzalez will be responsible for the bank's platforms, fintech, payments, end electronic and deposit functions. She has 24 years of banking experience and joined Savers Bank in 2017 after working at Dean Bank. Gonzalez is an accredited payments professional, and has her bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College in Easton, and her masters in business administration from Florida International University. Stratton will be responsible for coordinating and directing the fiscal, financial, and related activities at the bank. She joined the bank in 2017 and is a certified public accountant. Stratton is currently pursuing her MBA on a finance track. Kaslauskas joined Savers Bank in 2001 and previously worked for New York Life Insurance Co.. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brandeis University in Waltham. Serafin joined Savers in March and has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He was a senior vice president and chief information officer at Avidia Bank in Hudson. Serafin earned his bachelor’s degree from UMass Lowell.