Five Star Bank announces executive leadership changes

WARSAW, N.Y. — Five Star Bank, a unit of Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI), has announced a reorganization in its executive leadership team, which it says will “more effectively meet the needs of customers across all segments of its business in support of the bank’s continued growth.”

Five Star Bank named William L. Kreienberg chief banking and revenue officer, a new role combining all revenue and relationship-building businesses for banking, insurance, and wealth management. He will be responsible for the bank’s retail-branch network and commercial and consumer-lending teams, as well as its insurance and wealth-management affiliates, according to a Five Star Bank news release. Kreienberg will also continue to serve as the bank’s general counsel. He previously was chief corporate development executive.

The bank appointed Joseph L. Dugan “chief customer experience and go to market officer,” a new position consolidating leadership of marketing, technology, product, and customer experience, the release stated. He will provide leadership and advocacy across the organization for “innovative technology solutions” for both employees and customers. Dugan previously was Five Star’s retail growth and profitability executive.

Sean M. Willett was named chief administrative officer. In this job, he will lead audit, compliance, operations, risk, and strategy. Willett previously was the bank’s chief risk officer.

The reorganization also included the promotions of employees in several departments, which Five Star Bank said were part of its focus on the “development of future talent and increased diversity in leadership positions.” The bank promoted Bethany Bowers to chief compliance officer, Amy Barone to director of operations, Diane Camelio to director of retail relationships, Staci Casseri to director of customer experience, Randy Phillips to chief risk officer, and Cory Popen to enterprise data manager.

“Change and evolution are constant and necessary to excel and fulfill our commitment to our customers, our shareholders, our associates and the communities we serve. We have many talented individuals within Five Star, and giving them the chance to assume new or enhanced roles is critical for our success and an opportunity for them to continue their personal development,” Martin K. Birmingham, Five Star Bank president and CEO, contended. “We believe that these leadership changes and the related reorganization will facilitate continued execution of our long-term strategic plan.”

Five Star Bank, based in Warsaw in Wyoming County, has more than 50 branches throughout Western and Central New York. Its CNY branches include offices in Auburn, Geneva (2), Seneca Falls, Elmira (2), and Horseheads.

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