At the annual meeting of the National Bank of Middlebury on May 6, G Kenneth Perine, President and CEO announced a leadership transition for the bank. As of December 31, 2014, Perine will step down as president and chief executive officer after 23 years at the helm. Caroline Carpenter, a seventeen-year veteran of the bank and current executive vice president, will assume the presidency and position of chief executive officer as of January 1, 2015. Carpenter is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Vermont, majoring in mathematics, and a 2000 graduate of New England School of Banking at Williams College, where she earned distinction as a Jordan Scholar.
Carpenter has been part of the banking community in Addison County since 1991, serving as a mortgage originator at Vermont Federal Bank for six years before joining National Bank of Middlebury in 1997. In a statement, the bank said Carpenter is well versed in the technology side of the banking business, which is becoming increasingly important in the bank’s daily operation, and also brings strong managerial skills to her new position.
Sarah Stahl, Chair of the bank’s Board of Directors said, “The Board is very appreciative of Ken’s leadership of our bank. His outstanding service continues a tradition of long-serving leaders. We are confident Caroline will pick up where Ken leaves off and will insure the bank continues to bring real value to the communities we serve.”
Perine will continue to serve the bank on the board of directors and will be working on special projects over the next two years on a part-time basis. The balance of the bank’s management team is still intact assuring a seamless transition at the end of the year.
Carpenter makes her home in Salisbury with her husband Craig and their three children.
About National Bank of Middlebury
Based in Middlebury, Vermont, National Bank of Middlebury is the oldest community bank in Vermont and the 11th oldest in America. With its deep-rooted presence in the community and 6 offices in Middlebury, Brandon, Bristol, Hinesburg and Vergennes, NBM is committed to serving all of the financial needs of both individual and business community members.