Officers Installed for 2019-2020 Chapter Year
 

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID LAUWE - META4 COMMUNICATIONS

Chapter Members, community banking executives and valued sponsors were on hand to witness the Chapter’s traditional ceremony to install the incoming slate of Chapter Officers for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The festive event was held at Seasons in the Township of Washington, N.J. on Friday May 17, 2019. A magnificent cocktail reception preceded the formal program featuring a superb selection of fine appetizers, an open bar and an elegant vodka bar carved from an enormous block of ice. Attendees enjoyed a sumptuous full-course dinner followed by an incredible dessert bar that has made Seasons famous.

Salvatore Zerilli, incumbent Chapter President, welcomed everyone to the event and thanked the Chapter’s Members and sponsors for their valuable support. Following the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, Past Chapter President Cindi Rand provided the traditional invocation offering thanks for the Chapter’s past and future success.

Salvatore introduced Anthony Labozzetta, President and CEO of SB One Bank. Anthony provided his observations regarding the industry knowledge and financial experience of incoming Chapter President Adriano Duarte which has recently led to Adriano’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer of SB One. Anthony confidently noted his expectation that Adriano will provide the same positive influence as Chapter President. He then offered a celebratory toast to the success of the incoming slate of the Chapter’s Officers.

Salvatore Zerilli welcomed the recipients of the Chapter’s annual scholarship awards, Robert Scorzo and Ryan Greff. The awards are made possible from the proceeds of the Chapter’s charity events. The recipients each presented an eloquent speech thanking the Chapter for the opportunity to receive the awards and discussed their plans for college and possible careers in finance.

Chapter Past President and National Chairman Steve Fusco was welcomed to the podium by Salvatore Zerilli. Steve thanked the Chapter for the opportunity to preside at this year’s installation and then announced the following slate of Officers for the 2019-2020 fiscal year:

President

Adriano Duarte
EVP/CFO
SB One Bank

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Vice President

Amy Wheatley
Senior Vice President
Multi-Bank Securities, Inc.

Treasurer

Suny Mellawa
Assistant Vice President
Haven Savings Bank

Secretary

Angelo DiCaro
Senior Vice President
Samuel A. Ramirez & Co.

Immediate Past President

Salvatore Zerilli
Managing Director
The Mercadien Group

Steve then proceeded to install the Chapter’s Vice-President and Treasurer for the upcoming year. Steve announced that incoming Secretary Angelo DiCaro was unable to attend due to the graduation of a family member.

Sal Zerilli provided his final address as outgoing Chapter President. He summarized the many notable achievements that the Chapter has accomplished during his tenure, most importantly enhancing the Chapter’s relationship with FMS National. He emphasized the importance of the steps taken to expand the Chapter membership as well as providing social events in addition to the traditional learning experience. Sal thanked his fellow Officers, the Membership, sponsors and his family for making these accomplishments possible.

Steve Fusco then formally installed Adriano Duarte as Chapter President. Members and guests offered the Chapter’s new leadership team warm applause and congratulations. Adriano Duarte addressed the Membership and thanked everyone for attending with specific gratitude to the twelve Chapter Past Presidents in attendance. Adriano noted how the success and greatness of our Chapter is driven by Member participation especially regarding the Holiday Dinner and Casino Night events that benefit the Lupus Foundation and HomeSharing programs. He specifically thanked newly installed Vice President Amy Wheatley and Chapter Past Presidents Grace Cruz-Beyer and Andriette Matthews for their efforts. Adriano individually thanked each of the generous sponsors without whom the success of our events would not be possible. He also thanked the author for his assistance at each of the Chapter’s events. Adriano concluded his address by first thanking Anthony Labozzetta for his foresight in giving him the opportunity to be an integral part of the success SB One Bank. He then gave sincere thanks to his wife Monica, the “President and CEO” of the Duarte household!

Relive photo highlights of this year's Installation Dinner-Dance in the photo galleries below.

Photo Galleries