Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast

Northeast Credit Union welcomes Gina Jones as Vice President of Product

PORTSMOUTH — Northeast Credit Union announced the addition of Gina Jones to their Senior Leadership Team as Vice President of Product. As a 15-year experienced leader in the Financial Services Industry, Jones previously has held the positions of Vice President, Strategy and Vice President, Operational Delivery for Partner’s Federal Credit Union in Orlando, Florida.

“As we embark on our mission to enrich and nourish the lives of others, we are working hard to reimagine our products, services, and experiences such that they meet our members’ financial needs, while also giving them a chance to help their communities thrive. Specifically, we aim to offer an everyday banking relationship that enables members to participate directly in solving for three key impact areas: eliminating food insecurity; increasing access to affordable housing; and expanding opportunities for education,” said Sean McNair, Chief Member Experience & Digital Officer at Northeast. “Gina has extensive experience in the Credit Union industry, excels in leading cross-functional teams, and is adept at designing exactly the type of products, services and experiences that align with this strategic intent. We are thrilled to have her here at this critical time to helps us further our mission and deliver value for our members.” he concludes.

“I am grateful and inspired to join Northeast Credit Union at such an amazing time as we work in support of our mission for our members and communities. As we continue to expand that outreach, I am excited to be a part of helping to create and develop our Product Team. The VP of Product role is new to the organization, and I look forward to contributing my knowledge and experience and work in service of our mission as we identify, define, support, and continually enhance our products and service offerings so they are relevant, timely and enable us to anticipate and meet the needs of our members when and where they are!”

Cari Quater Joins Seacoast Village Project as Operations Manager

PORTSMOUTH — The Seacoast Village Project has hired Cari Quater as operations manager. The mission of the Seacoast Village Project is to build a network of older adults working together to get connected, get smart and help each other out as they grow older in their homes and communities. In her new role, Quater will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Village, including the management of the office at Carey Cottage, information systems, coordinating the delivery of programs and events, and member services.

Prior to joining Seacoast Village Project, Quarter served as executive director at the Old Berwick Historical Society for six years. She brings with her a wealth of operations, volunteer and program management experience.

“As the Seacoast Village Project has grown as an organization, we recognize the need to have a dedicated staff person to support our membership and to ensure that we can build the strongest network we can for people who want to age in their homes and communities” said Nancy Euchner, board president.

Founded in 2018 and based on a national Village Movement model of neighbor-helping-neighbor, the Seacoast Village Project is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making “aging in place” a reality by supporting the social, educational, and practical needs of older adults living independently.

For more information about the Seacoast Village Project, visit www.seacoastvillageproject.org.

R.M. Davis expands leadership team with several new hires

PORTSMOUTH – R.M. Davis, northern New England’s largest private wealth management firm, has expanded its leadership team with the addition of three prominent finance industry executives.

Caleb DuBois, Tim Malisa and Tim Acquaviva all started in recent months.

Acquaviva, who works out of the Portsmouth office, previously served as Client Service and Regulatory Manager for Wellington Management Company in Boston before coming to R.M. Davis. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Acquaviva graduated from Rollins College and Bentley University.

“These are two huge hires for R.M. Davis – where we stretched to get top rising stars within our industry,” Draeger said about Malisa and Acquaviva joining the leadership team.

Granite Bay Wealth Management announces new team member

Portsmouth — Granite Bay Wealth Management announced that Bryan Monteverde has joined their team as Vice President. With an expertise in lending and divorce financial settlements, he will provide depth to the firm with a proficiency that will help Granite Bay Wealth Management clients through the difficult financial decisions associated with divorce.

Monteverde graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor's in Finance and a minor in Economics. He has over 15 years of experience in the financial service industry.

Before joining Granite Bay Wealth Management, he spent more than 10 years working with the Bank of New York Mellon Wealth Management helping design, implement and administer estate and investment strategies for high-net-worth families in various capacities. Monteverde worked as a Privately Held Business Advisor for individuals owning privately held family businesses. After completing a comprehensive credit training program, he then worked as a Senior Private Banker and advised his clients on credit, cash management and interest rate hedging strategies.

After over a decade working in wealth management, Bryan joined Divorce Outcomes as a Financial Consultant where he was guiding families and business owners through the financial complexities of divorce.

“We are excited to add Brian’s experience and knowledge to the Granite Bay team. It is rare to find a like-minded person who fits with our culture and also has such a broad range of industry experience that can help our clients.”Said Paul Stanley, CFP, CPM, Managing Partner, at Granite Bay Wealth Management.

Monteverde's previous affiliations include, the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, CFA Society of Boston, and the Exit Planning Institute. He has successfully completed level one of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) exam.

Monteverde lives in Portsmouth, N.H. and enjoys spending his free time skiing, fishing, biking, and kayaking around the local coastline.

Western Governors University named Durham resident Cynthia Merrill Director, Regions

DURHAM — Western Governors University, a non-profit, accredited online university, has announced that Cynthia Merrill, of Durham, has been named director, regions, in the northeast. Merrill has more than 25 years of experience in education partnerships.

As director, regions, Merrill will work in partnership with Rebecca L. Watts, Ph.D., regional vice president in the northeast region, to execute initiatives that optimize student success, increase alumni engagement, and develop and sustain partnerships that expand higher education access and affordability, especially to historically underrepresented communities. She will establish and maintain relationships with major partners in the corporate, economic development, government, and higher education sectors, and work to grow brand awareness and enrollment. With a regional focus, Merrill will oversee WGU’s strategic operations in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (central and eastern), Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.

“Cynthia’s impressive credentials not only include academic experience but operational and technical expertise as well,” said Watts. “Her passion and commitment to education access, technology integration and strengthening strategic partnerships that improve the student experience make her a tremendous asset to our team.”

Prior to joining WGU, Merrill served as director of educator network at the Digital Citizenship Institute in Hartford, Conn. There, she developed and managed strategic partnerships of K-12 school and corporate partnerships and provided thought leadership on pedagogy related to technology and literacy. She is also the founder of Durham, N.H.-based The Literacy Consortium, which delivers high quality K-12 training on literacy and technology integration in schools nationwide. For nearly 10 years, she served as faculty at the University of New Hampshire.

“It’s an honor to be at WGU as the new Director of Northeast Region, and I do truly feel all my previous experiences led me directly here. WGU’s mission and heart for helping students succeed is both inspiring and energizing.”

Merrill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master of Education degree in Literacy and Technology Integration, both from University of New Hampshire. She resides in New Hampshire and will represent the university at events and activities across the region.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast