bankHometown Names Retail SVP; Regional VPs

bankHometown recently announced that it has promoted Sharon Mahlert to senior vice president, retail banking officer, and Donna M. Daigle, Tina M. Puzo, and Maria Thomas to the newly created role of vice president, regional branch manager.

Mahlert, of Putnam, Conn., joined bankHometown in 2003 and over the years has held several leadership positions in the retail division including branch manager and vice president, branch retail administrator. Most recently, she was vice president of the bank’s Learning and Development department. Mahlert brings more than 35 years of banking experience to this new role, in which she will be responsible for oversight of the bank’s 16 branches across Central Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut, including business development, the customer experience, and branch operations. She is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach which recognizes individuals for their strengths-based coaching excellence.

Daigle, of Lunenberg is currently vice president, branch officer of the bank’s Sack Blvd., Leominster office as well as a retail sales coordinator. In this new role, she will take on supervisory responsibilities for the bank’s two Worcester offices as well as its Lancaster and Athol offices. Daigle has more than 40 years of banking experience, joining bankHometown in 2014 as branch manager. She was promoted to assistant vice president, branch officer in 2018 and then vice president, branch officer in 2021. Before joining bankHometown, she was assistant vice president, store manager, with TD Bank. Daigle is currently on the membership committee for the Leominster chapter of Business Network International.

Puzo, of Dudley, is currently vice president, branch officer of bankHometown’s Southbridge St., Auburn office, as well as a retail sales coordinator. In her new role, she will assume supervisory responsibility for the bank’s two Webster offices as well as its Millbury, Oxford, and Sturbridge offices. Puzo has more than 35 years of banking experience, having joined bankHometown in 2009 as branch manager of the Webster office. She was promoted to assistant vice president, branch officer in 2012 and vice president, branch officer in 2021. Before joining bankHometown, she served as vice president, business development and sales manager at TD Bank. Puzo completed business coursework at Quinsigamond Community College and is a graduate of both the New England School of Financial Studies and the New England College of Business and Finance. She is active in the community, currently serving as secretary of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of its Programs Committee and town-wide Clean-up Committee. Additionally, she is manager of bankHometown’s United Way campaign as well as a volunteer with United Way’s Dollar Scholar program. She is also a member of the town of Auburn’s Business Roundtable Committee. Puzo previously received the Girl Scouts of Montachusett Council’s Women of Distinction award and was previously named one of Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty honorees.

Thomas, of Brooklyn, Conn., is currently vice president, branch officer of the bank’s Riverside Dr., Thompson, Conn., office as well as a retail sales coordinator. In this new position, she will add supervisory responsibilities for the bank’s four other Connecticut offices in Brooklyn, Killingly, Putnam, and Woodstock. Thomas has 14 years of experience in the banking industry and joined the former Citizens National Bank as an assistant branch manager in 2013 prior to its merger with bankHometown. She was promoted to branch manager of the Thompson, Conn. office in 2014, to assistant vice president, branch officer in 2019, and vice president, branch officer earlier this year. Prior to joining bankHometown, Thomas was employed by Key Bank. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College and is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies. Thomas currently serves as treasurer of the Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc., and is a member of the Thompson Business Association and the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.