Community Bank System makes senior management promotions

DeWITT — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU), and its wholly owned subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A., recently implemented several key senior management promotions.

Scott Kingsley was promoted to executive VP and chief operating officer of both the parent company and bank, effective June 1. Kingsley has served as executive VP and chief financial officer (CFO) since joining Community Bank System in 2004. In his new role, Kingsley will have oversight responsibilities for all banking, wealth management, employee-benefit services, and insurance operations and related business activities, according to a Community Bank news release.

Joseph E. Sutaris has been promoted to executive VP and CFO of both Community Bank System and Community Bank, N.A., succeeding Kingsley in that position, effective June 1. Sutaris had been serving as the bank’s senior VP of finance and accounting. In his new role as CFO, Sutaris’ responsibilities will include supervision of all activities related to finance, accounting, and investor relations, the banking company said. Sutaris joined Community Bank System in 2011 as part of its acquisition of Wilber National Bank, where he served as executive VP, CFO, and treasurer.

Finally, Community Bank System also announced that it has promoted Joseph F. Serbun to executive VP and chief credit officer, effective June 1, upon the previously announced retirement of Brian D. Donahue as executive VP and chief banking officer. Serbun’s responsibilities will be expanded to include supervision of all aspects of the bank’s lending and credit operations related to commercial lending, residential lending, direct and indirect consumer lending, credit administration, cash management, and regional banking, per the release. Serbun joined the bank in 2008 as credit officer team leader and has served as senior VP and chief credit officer since 2010. He has more than 34 years of experience in the banking industry, having served in various roles with larger money center banks and regional community banks.

“I am excited to announce these senior management changes. Scott Kingsley has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Company and its subsidiaries and the decision to have him act as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer will enable him to further focus his attention on our banking operations and the wealth management, employee benefit services, and insurance operations with the intent to grow those lines of business in a dynamic way,” Mark E. Tryniski, president and CEO of Community Bank System, said in the release. “Joe Sutaris and Joe Serbun are seasoned bankers and their long-tenure and experience with the Company has positioned them for continued success in their expanded roles and I believe their energy and leadership will support the continued growth and success of the Company.”

Community Bank System operates more than 230 branches across upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and western Massachusetts through Community Bank. With assets of about $11 billion, the DeWitt–headquartered banking company says it ranks among the nation’s 150 largest financial institutions. The company also operates subsidiaries Community Bank Wealth Management Group; OneGroup NY, Inc; and Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc., which includes Northeast Retirement Services, LLC.