Vermont Business MagazineThe First National Bank of Orwell, a community bank serving Orwell and Shoreham, Vermont and surrounding communities since 1863, today announced the appointment of Bryan SYoung, age 38, as Chief Executive Officer, effectiveJanuary 1, 2016.He succeeds his father, Mark SYoung, age 62, who has served as the chief executive since 1979.Mark will continue as President, Loan Officer, and member of the Board of Directors.Bryan’s role in management extends the tradition of family leadership of The First National Bank of Orwell to the fifth generation, following in the footsteps of his great-great grandfather, Davis LWells, his great-grandmother, Mabel Wells Young, his grandfather, Robert DYoung, and his father, Mark.
“Those are some big shoes to fill, without a doubt,” said Bryan Young, “but the path they have walked is a clear one to continue. Our approach to banking may seem quaint in a world that gets bigger, faster and more complicated every day, but that change actually strengthens our philosophy to know our community, have faith in our neighbors, and give them the support they need to be successful in their endeavors. By doing so, we’ll continue to be successful in ours.”
“As COO, Bryan has effectively been managing the overall bank operations well for the last several years,” said David Thomas, Chairman of The First National Bank of Orwell’s Board of Directors. His experience, analytical skills and banking knowledge will serve us well. At the same time, we are very fortunate to have Mark continuing in his roles.”
“Much as I did with my father, Bryan has for some time overseen the everyday operations of the bank, allowing me to concentrate on what I enjoy the most, working with customers,” said Mark Young. “I hope to continue helping customers realize their dreams for many years to come. I am so happy and proud to see the management role continue to the fifth generation, and when I see my grandchildren around the bank I can’t help but wonder if maybe the sixth is in the wings!”
Bryan rejoined The First National Bank of Orwell in 2005 as Vice President, and currently serves as the bank’s Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors. He previously worked in the bank as a teller from 1995 to 2000. In the interim, he was an analyst for Thomson Financial First Call in Boston, and a surety underwriter for National Specialty Insurance in Madison, Wisconsin. He earned a master’s degree in finance, investments and banking from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in economics and geography from the University of Vermont.
In addition to his banking duties, Bryan serves as Treasurer of Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Assistant Treasurer of the Town of Orwell, and as manager of the Orwell Town Band. He is an active member of the Bristol Band and the Middlebury Community Wind Ensemble. He was formerly Chair of the Addison County Republican Committee. He lives in Orwell with his wife, Sheri, and their two sons.
The First National Bank of Orwell was founded in 1863 and is the oldest national bank in New England, and one of the oldest in the country, offering a variety of banking services with a philosophy of keeping them as simple and straightforward as possible. With no market portfolio, 100% of customer deposits are invested in local loans to borrowers in Addison and Rutland Counties. More information is available atwww.fnborwell.com.