John F. Rath, III

Mr. Rath serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer and joined Lakeland Bank in March 2015 as Senior Vice President and Group Manager, responsible for Middle Market and C&I lending, Asset Based Lending and Equipment Finance.  He has over 35 years of banking experience and was previously employed by TD Bank for over 16 years as Senior Vice President and Group Manager responsible for Middle Market, Commercial and Small Business lending activities in the Lower Hudson Valley prior to his departure. Prior to that, he was with The Bank of New York for 18 years where he held various positions.

He serves as a Board member and past Chairman for Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress and is on the boards of Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties and the Bardavon 1869 Opera House. He has been an Advisory Board member for the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley for 25 years and was Co-Chairman of their Capital Campaign.

Mr. Rath was a recipient of the 2014 Mount Saint Mary's College Joseph A. Bonura Leadership award and 2017 United Way of Dutchess/Orange Community Champion award. He graduated from Washingtonville Senior High School and attended Dutchess County Community College.