Oak Ridge, N.J. – July 9, 2020 – Thomas J. Shara, President and CEO of Lakeland Bank, is pleased to announce the following officer promotions.
Julie Koop to Senior Vice President – Human Resources. Koop joined Lakeland in 2017 as Vice President – Human Resources Business Partner. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Rutgers University and is a designated Senior Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She is an active volunteer with The Vernon Coalition and resides in Vernon, N.J.
Linda Smith to Senior Vice President – Construction Lending Administration Manager. Smith joined the Bank in 2006 as Vice President – Commercial Loan Officer. She earned a master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and urban planning from Rutgers University. A former President of the Rutgers Alumnae Women’s Professional Network, she is a board member for the Rutgers Alumnae Association, the Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City and the River Edge Public Library. Smith resides in River Edge, N.J.
Katherine Blake to Vice President – ACH-Card Services Officer. Blake joined Lakeland through the acquisition of The National Bank of Sussex County where she was hired as an Accounting Clerk and Senior Bookkeeper in 1994. In 2010, she transferred to ACH-Debit Card Coordinator, transitioned to Team Leader, Assistant Treasurer in 2015 and to Assistant Vice President – ACH and Card Services Supervisor in 2017. She is an Accredited ACH Professional, has an Accredited Payments Risk Professional certification and holds certifications in Accounting and Financial Services Operations. She resides in Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
Shannon Burden to Vice President – Call Center Manager. Burden joined Lakeland in 2008 as a Call Center Financial Services Provider. She was promoted to Assistant Treasurer – Call Center Assistant Manager in 2014 and to Assistant Vice President, Call Center Assistant Manager in 2019. Burden is a graduate of the inaugural Lakeland Bank LEAD class and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She resides in Vernon, N.J.
Sandra Maloney to Assistant Vice President – Project Manager. Maloney joined the Bank in 2008 as a Leasing File Clerk. She transferred to the Deposit Operations Department in 2010 as an Automated Signature Verification Clerk, transitioned to Data Security Administrator in 2014 and was promoted to Assistant Treasurer – Data Security Administrator in 2015. She transferred to Assistant Treasurer – Data Security Officer in 2016 and to Assistant Treasurer – Junior Project Manager in 2018. She earned a degree as a public accountant and auditor from Benemerita Universidad Autonoma in Puebla, Mexico. Maloney resides in Hardyston, N.J.
Peter Siino to Vice President – Compensation and HRIS. Siino joined Lakeland in 2017 as Assistant Vice President – Compensation Manager. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Centenary University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University - Commerce. Siino is a graduate of the inaugural Lakeland Bank LEAD class.
Veronica Trezza to Vice President – Human Resources Business Partner. Trezza joined the Bank in 2013 as a Human Resources Assistant and Recruiter and was promoted to Assistant Vice President – Human Resources Retail Business Partner in 2017. She is a designated Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), a graduate of the inaugural Lakeland Bank LEAD class and has completed several Center for Financial Training courses, including completion of the Human Resources certification. Trezza is a member of the Morris County SHRM chapter. She resides in Vernon, N.J.
Sandra Van Benschoten to Vice President – Relationship Manager. Van Benschoten joined Lakeland in 2016 as Vice President – Portfolio Manager for the Jackson Lending Team. Van Benschoten earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgian Court University and an Advanced Certification in Real Estate from the Kislak Real Estate Institute at Monmouth University. Van Benschoten resides in Wall, N.J.
Ruth Lenihan to Assistant Vice President - Processing Supervisor. Lenihan joined Lakeland through the acquisition of the National Bank of Sussex County where she was hired as a Teller in 1994. She transitioned to the Credit Department in 1995 and transferred to the Mortgage Department in 1998 where she has held several different positions. She has attended various Fannie Mae and American Institute of Banking training classes.
Andrew Clifton to Assistant Treasurer – Call Center Assistant Manager. Clifton joined the Bank in 2011 as a Call Center Financial Services Provider. He earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and multimedia art from Centenary University. Clifton resides in Flanders, N.J.
Cris Artsma to Assistant Treasurer – Branch Operations Manager. Artsma joined Lakeland in 2008 as a Teller. She was promoted to Teller Manager in 2012, promoted to Personal Banking Consultant in 2016 and to Assistant Branch Manager in 2017. Artsma has taken multiple courses through the Center for Financial Training, obtaining a certificate in accounting. Artsma resides in Vernon, N.J.
Daryl Eastlake to Assistant Treasurer – Senior BSA Analyst. Eastlake joined Lakeland in 2000 as a Teller. She was promoted to Teller Manager in 2002 and to Customer Service Representative in 2004. In 2010, she joined the BSA-AML department as a Junior BSA Analyst and was promoted to Senior BSA Analyst in 2011. She is a designated Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). Eastlake resides in Highland Lakes, N.J.
Christina Locascio to Assistant Treasurer – Branch Operations Manager. Locascio joined Lakeland through the merger with Highlands State Bank (HSB) in 2019. She began her career with HSB in 2009 as a Teller, was promoted to Customer Service Representative in 2011 and was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of the Denville office in 2014. Locascio earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Paterson University. She resides in Stillwater, N.J.
Erica Rocks to Assistant Treasurer – Automation Analyst. Rocks joined Lakeland in 2018 as an Automation Engineer and transitioned to an Automation Analyst in 2019. In addition to earning her Workflow Certification, Rocks holds a Bachelor of Science degree in information systems management from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Business Administration degree in information technology from Seton Hall University. She resides in Oak Ridge, N.J.
Nicole Russell to Assistant Treasurer – Branch Operations Manager. Russell joined the Bank through the Highlands State Bank (HSB) merger in 2019 and assumed the role of Assistant Branch Manager of the Sussex/Wantage office. She began her career with HSB as a Customer Service Representative in 2010 and was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager in 2013. Russell earned an associate’s degree in business management from Orange County Community College. She resides in Wantage, N.J.
Kheira Sanjuanelo to Assistant Treasurer – Branch Operations Manager. Sanjuanelo joined Lakeland in 2016 as Assistant Branch Manager of the Little Falls office. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from William Paterson University. Sanjuanelo resides in Elmwood Park, N.J.
Ashley Wambackto Assistant Treasurer – Senior Fraud Analyst. Wamback joined the Bank in 2007 as a Teller in the Milton office. In 2013, she was promoted to Teller Manager and in 2016 she transitioned to BSA-AML department as a BSA Analyst. In 2017, Wamback was promoted to Senior BSA Fraud Analyst. She is a designated Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). Wamback resides in Oak Ridge, N.J.
