We're pleased to share that we announced a CEO succession plan at our Annual Meeting on the evening of April 25. Current Chairman and CEO, Michael G. McAuliffe, will retire from the bank at the end of April, 2024. Dana M. Neshe, was elected president at the board meeting on April 26 and will succeed Mr. McAuliffe as CEO and chair of the board in 2024 upon his retirement.
McAuliffe has served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Middlesex Savings Bank since 2016. Since that time, the bank has grown from $4.3 billion to $6.2 billion in assets and currently has 31 branches throughout the MetroWest. The bank added new branch locations in Walpole, Hudson, Westborough, Acton and Maynard under his tenure along with a new Loan Production Office in Reading.
During his remarks, McAuliffe commented that “to be one of the oldest, largest and strongest mutual banks in the country requires successfully navigating a multitude of challenges, which Middlesex has done over its 188 year history. It also requires long-term strategic and succession planning. I have had the absolute honor and pleasure to work with our executive team and all of our colleagues over the past seven years in continuing the bank’s mission of supporting our customers and communities. When I retire next year, I know the bank is well-positioned for continued long-term success under Dana’s strong leadership.”
Ms. Neshe, a Framingham resident, has been with Middlesex Savings Bank for the past 27 years, during which time she has served in a number of roles. Most recently, she has been the bank’s chief operating officer with responsibility for credit administration, commercial loan operations, compliance, information security, payment systems fraud, retail branches, deposit operations, marketing, and corporate and foundation philanthropy. Neshe has been deeply involved within the community serving as president of the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation and on numerous outside boards including Framingham State University, the MetroWest Health Foundation, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, and the Warrior Within Yoga Project.
Also announced at the meeting was the appointment of the bank’s EVP & General Counsel, Ian Hecker, as its new chief risk officer & general counsel. Mr. Hecker joined the bank in 2004 and has served as the bank’s general counsel since that time. He has been the chair of the Massachusetts Bankers Association Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee since 2010. He has testified before the Massachusetts legislature on banking bills and played an active role in the drafting of such bills. Ian has also served as a director of the Association of Corporate Counsel (Northeast U.S. chapter), the international in-house bar association, since 2015.
Bryan Christensen, the bank’s chief community banking officer, was elected executive vice president with responsibility for the bank’s branches, deposit operations, and Middlesex Financial Group, the bank’s investment advisory business. A 30-year veteran of the banking industry, Christensen joined Middlesex in 2009 after the bank’s merger with Strata Bank. Christensen’s career has been spent largely on the retail side of the business. Christensen is a past board member of the Medway Lions Club, past president of the Natick Rotary and a graduate of the MetroWest Leadership Academy.
Middlesex also elected two new Trustee/Directors - Margery L. Piercey, chief financial and chief operating officer of Mass Insight Education & Research, a national non-profit at the forefront of education dedicated to transforming public schools into high-performing organizations and Jeanne L. Sherlock, chief operating officer of the MetroWest YMCA, a cause-driven organization helping over 20,000 residents in the MetroWest area build a healthy spirit, mind and body.
McAuliffe has served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Middlesex Savings Bank since 2016. Since that time, the bank has grown from $4.3 billion to $6.2 billion in assets and currently has 31 branches throughout the MetroWest. The bank added new branch locations in Walpole, Hudson, Westborough, Acton and Maynard under his tenure along with a new Loan Production Office in Reading.
During his remarks, McAuliffe commented that “to be one of the oldest, largest and strongest mutual banks in the country requires successfully navigating a multitude of challenges, which Middlesex has done over its 188 year history. It also requires long-term strategic and succession planning. I have had the absolute honor and pleasure to work with our executive team and all of our colleagues over the past seven years in continuing the bank’s mission of supporting our customers and communities. When I retire next year, I know the bank is well-positioned for continued long-term success under Dana’s strong leadership.”
Ms. Neshe, a Framingham resident, has been with Middlesex Savings Bank for the past 27 years, during which time she has served in a number of roles. Most recently, she has been the bank’s chief operating officer with responsibility for credit administration, commercial loan operations, compliance, information security, payment systems fraud, retail branches, deposit operations, marketing, and corporate and foundation philanthropy. Neshe has been deeply involved within the community serving as president of the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation and on numerous outside boards including Framingham State University, the MetroWest Health Foundation, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, and the Warrior Within Yoga Project.
Also announced at the meeting was the appointment of the bank’s EVP & General Counsel, Ian Hecker, as its new chief risk officer & general counsel. Mr. Hecker joined the bank in 2004 and has served as the bank’s general counsel since that time. He has been the chair of the Massachusetts Bankers Association Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee since 2010. He has testified before the Massachusetts legislature on banking bills and played an active role in the drafting of such bills. Ian has also served as a director of the Association of Corporate Counsel (Northeast U.S. chapter), the international in-house bar association, since 2015.
Bryan Christensen, the bank’s chief community banking officer, was elected executive vice president with responsibility for the bank’s branches, deposit operations, and Middlesex Financial Group, the bank’s investment advisory business. A 30-year veteran of the banking industry, Christensen joined Middlesex in 2009 after the bank’s merger with Strata Bank. Christensen’s career has been spent largely on the retail side of the business. Christensen is a past board member of the Medway Lions Club, past president of the Natick Rotary and a graduate of the MetroWest Leadership Academy.
Middlesex also elected two new Trustee/Directors - Margery L. Piercey, chief financial and chief operating officer of Mass Insight Education & Research, a national non-profit at the forefront of education dedicated to transforming public schools into high-performing organizations and Jeanne L. Sherlock, chief operating officer of the MetroWest YMCA, a cause-driven organization helping over 20,000 residents in the MetroWest area build a healthy spirit, mind and body.