Community Bank System’s BPAS unit to get new leadership in 2021

Kublin to retire as CEO of BPAS; Neveu and Hulse to succeed                    

UTICA, N.Y. — BPAS, a unit of DeWitt–based Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU), is preparing for a leadership transition to begin 2021.

The firm on Dec. 2 said that Barry Kublin will retire from his position as CEO, effective Dec. 31. He will remain with the company as part of its board of directors and offer strategic consulting and industry advisory services. 

At the same time, Paul Neveu will succeed Kublin as CEO of BPAS and Chris Hulse take over as CEO of NRS/BPAS trust services.

BPAS is a provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts.

Mark Tryniski, CEO of Community Bank System, the BPAS parent company, called Kublin’s time with the company “a great run of 36 years.”

“Barry is a rare individual who is adept at both strategy and execution. He is entrepreneurial and operational, and a serial opportunist — which is how he was able to grow a business from scratch to more than $100 million in annual revenues. We’ll continue to benefit from his vision, expertise, and industry relationships in his new capacity,” Tryniski said in a release.

Kublin joined Community Bank in 1985 as VP of human resources, where he conceived and launched its initial employee-benefits business. He then led the acquisition of BPAS in 1996, which at that time had fewer than 10 employees and $1 million of revenue. 

Under Kublin’s leadership, BPAS now has more than 365 employees, supports 3,800 retirement plans, $100 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and serves more than 450,000 participants.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with BPAS,” Kublin said. “Entrepreneurship and leadership are about challenging the status quo and overcoming resistance from its guardians. I have been very fortunate to work with colleagues who welcome change and look forward to continuing to support the company as a resident in the Caribbean.”

About Neveu

In becoming CEO of BPAS, Neveu will expand his current responsibility over BPAS Plan Administration and Recordkeeping to include BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services; the business operations of fiduciary services and BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico; as well as marketing communications, accounting, and certain other key areas. 

Neveu joined BPAS in 2005 after nine years with Federated Investors and several years with Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) in Boston. Neveu became president of BPAS Plan Administration & Recordkeeping Services in 2015, working under Kublin. 

“[Neveu] has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of the BPAS Defined Contribution business over the years,” said Tryniski. “I am excited about the energy and passion Paul will bring to this new role. We will continue to grow BPAS under his leadership through new and existing client channels, technology, and expanded products and services.”

About Hulse 

Hulse, who is CEO of Northeast Retirement Services (NRS) and its subsidiary Global Trust Company (GTC), will assume the additional responsibilities for Hand Benefits & Trust, including its collective investment fund and common-fund business, and the trust activities of BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico. 

Hulse is responsible for the strategic direction of the firm’s trust business, including daily client servicing and operations. 

Prior to assuming the CEO position, he was the NRS/GTC COO for the past 15 years.