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BANKING

BANKING

Anthony ( Tony ) Labozzetta Named Provident Bank President / CEO

Compiled by John Joseph Parker Contributing Editor

The new President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bank , Anthony ( Tony ) Labozzetta , was appointed on Jan . 1 , 2022 . He previously served as director , president and chief operating officer of Provident Bank , as well as for Provident Financial Services , Inc ., the holding company for Provident Bank . He succeeds longtime CEO and Chairman Christopher ( Chris ) Martin . Martin will assume the role of executive chairman and continue to provide guidance and leadership to the Board .

Labozzetta came to Provident in late 2020 through its merger with SB One Bank , where he served as president and CEO , and was responsible for delivering strong results and sustained growth for the company . He led the organization through two successful mergers and expanded its footprint to 18 locations throughout New Jersey and New York .
Prior to SB One Bank , Labozzetta , with more than 25 years of experience serving the region , was an executive vice president at TD Banknorth and TD Bank , and before that , senior executive vice president and chief operating officer with Interchange Financial Services .
Labozzetta was named one of Forbes America ’ s Business Leaders in Banking and was recognized as American Banker ’ s Community Banker of the Year .
Valley Bank Names Tom Iadanza President
Valley National Bank , the wholly owned subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp , has promoted Thomas Iadanza to president . In this new role he will oversee the bank ’ s day-to-day operations including commercial banking , retail banking , digital products , credit , customer experience and financial services . A 10-year veteran at Valley , Iadanza was most recently senior executive vice president , chief banking officer .
“ Tom is an exceptional leader who has played an integral role in Valley ’ s growth ,” says Ira Robbins , who will remain chief executive officer . “ As we continue to expand our capabilities , services and footprint , Tom will drive these efforts and ensure we maintain true to our culture of a relationship bank that delivers service-based results .”
“ I am honored that Ira and the board have put their trust in me to help lead Valley forward ,” Iadanaza stated .
Northfield Bank Appoints Gil Medina Director
Gualberto ( Gil ) Medina was appointed as a director of both Northfield Bancorp , Inc .’ s Boards of Directors and Northfield Bank ’ s Board of Directors . Chairman , President and CEO Steven M . Klein said he is “ pleased that our Boards , under the leadership of Independent Director , Annette Catino , have appointed such a talented and well-respected individual in Gil Medina . Gil ’ s diverse skills , life experiences , and contributions to his community will play a key role in our continued development and growth .”
Medina is an executive vice president with CBRE Group , Inc ., a full-service real estate services and investment firm . A licensed real estate professional , attorney and certified public accountant in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , he has worked for a diverse cross-section of industry sectors , including as Secretary of Commerce for the State of New
Jersey . He earned a J . D . from Temple University and holds an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University . Medina serves in board leadership roles in business associations , non-profits , and healthcare , including the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce , the Puerto Rico Science Technology & Research Trust , the Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation and St . Joseph ’ s Healthcare System .
NJBankers Recognizes Lakeland Bank ’ s Chief Diversity Officer
The New Jersey Bankers Association ( NJBankers ) has recognized Lakeland Bank ’ s Chief Diversity Officer , Alethea M . Batts , with their inaugural Excellence in Diversity Award .
Batts was nominated by her peers for her leadership qualities , ability to impact the culture of her bank and community , and to influence others to be more diversity conscious . Nominations were received from numerous member banks , and Batts was chosen by an independent panel of NJBankers Management .
Batts is the senior vice president of learning and development and chief diversity officer at Lakeland Bank . In this role , she manages learning strategy and organizational development , including talent management , diversity , equity and inclusion strategy and initiatives , leadership development , succession planning and mentorship programs .
“ Alethea ’ s commitment to diversity and inclusion goes beyond her work at Lakeland Bank .”, said John E . McWeeney , Jr ., president and CEO of NJBankers . “ As one of the founding members of NJBankers DEI Council , Alethea has become an asset to the New Jersey banking industry ’ s DEI initiatives .”
Provident Bank President Anthony Labozzetta
Valley Bank President Tom Iadanza
Northfield Bancorp / Bank Director Gil Medina
Lakeland Bank Chief Diversity Officer Alethea M . Batts
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