Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast
Dover’s Marshall Jespersen elected Board Chair for NHADA 2023-2024
CONCORD – The New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association announced longtime New Hampshire business leader Marshall Jespersen as its new Chairman of the NHADA Board of Directors. Jespersen is currently the Dealer Principal of ICL, a retail group with six locations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He is a former nominee for the nation’s prestigious Time Dealer of the Year Award in 2016. Jespersen is a well-known and highly respected leader in the automotive industry. With a background in chemistry and engineering, Jespersen, a former Air Force Rocket Scientist, left the field more than 30 years ago to rescue a struggling Massachusetts dealership.
“I know first-hand how useful it is to have a resource like the NHADA available when running your motor vehicle industry business,” says Jespersen. “In this new role, I hope to extend the association’s deep network of knowledge and experience to others who need a voice, guidance, or a sympathetic ear to resolve challenges or boost business. Vehicle technology is rapidly evolving, and NHADA intends to be vigilant and involved in those conversations.”
NHADA serves more than 500 motor vehicle businesses throughout the state and is a critical voice in issues relative to the industry.
Jespersen replaces outgoing Chair John Sawyer, Jr., current Vice President at Portsmouth Ford. Sawyer graduated from the University of New Hampshire and has long worked at his family businesses in the industry in New Hampshire and Maine.
“Marshall and John are great examples of the depth of experience and strong leadership in New Hampshire’s motor vehicle industry,” explains Dan Bennett, President of NHADA. “Given the challenges we expect with the economy, workforce needs, manufacturer demands, emerging vehicle technology and, of course, ongoing regulatory conversations which require our voice, NHADA’s leadership will be busy in 2023. We are fortunate to have Marshall Jespersen's guidance to help us continue the progress John Sawyer, Jr. made over the past year.”
Karen M. Benedetti promoted to Senior Vice President, Marketing at The Savings Bank
WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Karen M. Benedetti, former Vice President, Marketing at The Savings Bank has been promoted to Senior Vice President. In her new position as a member of the senior management team, Benedetti will continue to oversee all marketing activities at The Savings Bank, including corporate branding and marketing strategy, digital and traditional marketing, CRM, sponsorships, communications and public relations.
Since joining The Savings Bank in 2020, Benedetti has introduced new data-driven and digital marketing initiatives, oversaw the redesign of both the Bank’s website and its subsidiary, First Financial Trust, and developed and implemented webinars for Bank customers and the community. Additionally, she introduced an outreach program to help customers with overall financial wellness and developed sales incentive initiatives for Bank staff to enhance product knowledge, customer outreach and sales skills. Benedetti was also one of the founding members of the virtual Credit for Life high school financial literacy program in Massachusetts.
Benedetti was previously associated with financial institutions in New England and the Mid-Atlantic for more than 30 years, including multi-national banks, regional banks, community banks and credit unions. She received her BA in Economics from the State University of New York College at Cortland and an MBA in Finance and Information Systems from Pace University.
Benedetti is a member of the New England Financial Marketing Association where she serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Programming Committee. She is past chair of America's Credit Union Museum National Marketing Committee, and former Board Secretary of the New Hampshire Military Assistance Foundation and Seacoast Salutes Organization. Benedetti currently serves as Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of the Great Bay Figure Skating Club.
“We congratulate Karen on her promotion to Senior Vice President,” Bob DiBella, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Savings Bank said. “Since joining the Bank in 2020, she has enhanced our data-driven financial marketing, as well as brand messaging, digital marketing and social media, and the marketing of new product lines. We wish her well in her new position.”
BankProv hires new Vice President of Business Development
AMESBURY, Mass. – BankProv (NASDAQ: PVBC), a future-ready commercial bank that offers technology-driven banking solutions to its clients, welcomes Lisa Gainty to the organization as Vice President of Business Development for Retail Banking. As an experienced industry professional with deep ties to the local business community, Gainty is already hard at work connecting new and existing customers with BankProv’s suite of retail banking services.
Gainty joins the BankProv team after nearly three decades of serving in leadership roles at financial institutions such as TD Bank and Citizens Bank. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, as well as a strong personal commitment to the local community. Gainty will cover the seacoast from Portsmouth to Newburyport. She attended University of New Hampshire and Somersworth High School, volunteers with the Prescott Park Arts Festival and has served for 15 years as a board member for the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth.
“I am excited to join BankProv and work with such a talented team,” said Gainty. “I look forward to leveraging my experience and skills to help drive growth and deliver exceptional value to our retail banking customers.”
“We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the organization,” said Co-CEO Joe Reilly. “This is truly an exciting time for BankProv, as we focus on continuously improving our products and services to deliver the best possible banking experiences to all of our customers."
Katin Keirstead appointed to WGU Northeast Alumni Advisory Council
BOSTON — Western Governors University (WGU) announced the appointment of Dover resident Katin Keirstead to the WGU Northeast Alumni Advisory Council. As a nonprofit, accredited online, competency-based university, WGU established the Council to grow and strengthen the university’s connections with key stakeholders in the region. Comprised of leaders and influencers from a variety of sectors in the northeast, they also will provide counsel on the most effective ways WGU can meet its core mission to expand access to career-relevant post-secondary educational opportunities that are respected by employers, by other academic institutions, and by policymakers from Maine to Virginia.
Keirstead is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and holds a B.S. in Business Management from Western Governors University. She is currently serving as the vice president of franchise operations at Planet Fitness World Headquarters, where she plays a pivotal role in providing strategic oversight. In this capacity, she leads a high-performing team dedicated to developing cutting-edge operations training systems and a nationally acclaimed competency-based leadership development program. Keirstead's expertise and guidance have contributed to the franchise operations team's exceptional performance in offering consultative support to the franchisee base of one of the fastest growing health club franchises in the U.S.
“We are thrilled to have Katin join our Advisory Council during this important time when so many people need higher education opportunities to align with employer and industry needs,” said WGU Regional Vice President Rebecca L. Watts, Ph.D. “Katin’s leadership in franchise operations, and her knowledge of how WGU can help advance and train the workforce in her areas, will be an immense asset.
“We know she will provide great insight as we work to advance our mission of changing lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity.”
Said Keirstead, “WGU provided a flexible and affordable opportunity to complete my degree, while working full-time and running a small business. The university’s innovative approach to learning, coupled with their dedication to supporting non-traditional students like myself, ensured that I had the necessary resources and guidance to succeed. Through my education at WGU’s College of Business, I acquired a solid foundation that has been instrumental in my professional growth within franchise operations leadership. My current and future career prospects are now much wider and more diverse.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast
