Ulster Savings Bank Announces Four Promotions

KINGSTON – Ulster Savings Bank is pleased to announce the promotions of four long-standing branch managers: Samantha Awand-Gortel, Valerie Belton, Debra Benn, and Briana Purdy. Each employee has worked at Ulster Savings Bank for more than a decade.
Samantha Awand-Gortel has been promoted to Branch Manager/Bank Officer at the bank’s Phoenicia location. Ms. Awand-Gortel’s expanded role will include oversight of all day-to-day branch operations, providing support, guidance, and training to branch staff, as well as achieving the branch’s business development goals throughout the surrounding areas.

A Lanesville, NY resident, Ms. Awand-Gortel holds a BS degree from Wingate University. She is also an Accredited Banking Professional and a graduate of the Ulster Leadership Development Institute, a leadership skill development program provided by the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce. A leader in her community, she is the president of the Phoenicia Business Association, secretary of the Phoenicia Rotary Club, second vice president of the American Legion Post 950 Auxiliary, manager of the Parish Field in Shandaken Park, and serving various roles for Wraparound Services of the Hudson Valley. Samantha is also a volunteer with the Woodstock Women’s Cycling Grand Prix and serves on the advisory committee of Catskill Mountain Shakespeare. She has been a bank employee since 2008.

Valerie L. Belton, an employee of Ulster Savings Bank since 2012, has been promoted to Branch Manager/Bank Officer at the bank’s Wappingers Falls location. Ms. Belton, a Fishkill resident, will manage the operations of her branch, oversee and provide guidance, support, and training to her staff, achieve the branch’s business goals, and further develop community relations.

She holds a BS degree in Communications and Business Administration from East Carolina University. Ms. Belton is also an Accredited Banking Professional and has a certification from the American Bankers Association. She is a 2014 Fellowes Graduate of Hudson Valley Patterns for Progress.

Valerie is a board member of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, a financial literacy facilitator for young women at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, and is a Meals on Wheels volunteer. She was a past co-chair for the DCRCOC Women’s Leadership Alliance, vice president of the Mediation Center of Dutchess County, and has volunteered her time to other community organizations.

Debra A. Benn, who joined Ulster Savings Bank in 2004, has been promoted to Branch Manager/Bank Officer at the bank’s Woodstock location. In her expanded role, Ms. Benn will oversee branch profitability, develop team members by providing support and training needs, as well as provide excellent customer service.

A Catskill resident, Ms. Benn is a graduate of the Ulster Leadership Development Institute and is currently enrolled in the Accredited Banking Professional Program. She is the treasurer of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Arts. She is also a board member for the Good Neighbor Food Pantry of Woodstock and an ambassador for the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Briana Purdy has been promoted to Branch Manager/Bank Officer at the bank’s Kingston headquarters. Ms. Purdy’s expanded role will oversee the operations of the Schwenk Drive, Kingston branch location, build rapport with the community, assist with customer relations, and ensure that the branch meets its goals and objectives.

A Gardiner resident, Ms. Purdy is a graduate of the Ulster Leadership Development Institute. She is currently enrolled in the Trusted Advisor Program as well as the Accredited Banking Professional Certification Program. A leader in her community, she is board vice president for Gateway Community Foundation and is a Kingston Rotarian. Briana has volunteered for many community events throughout Ulster County. She has been a bank employee since 2003.

“We’re so pleased to announce the promotions of Samantha, Valerie, Debra, and Briana,” said MaryRose Warcholak, SVP/Retail Banking Officer of Ulster Savings. “Each team member has been with us for more than a decade and, in their years with the bank, has demonstrated a passion for leading their branches’ growth and making their communities better – both values of utmost importance to us here at the bank. We are glad to announce these much-deserved promotions.”

About Ulster Savings Bank:
Headquartered in Kingston, New York, Ulster Savings Bank is a Mutual Savings Bank with assets of $1,173 billion. Ulster Savings Bank has 15 branches located in Kingston, Lake Katrine, Gardiner, Hyde Park, New Paltz, Newburgh, Phoenicia, Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, Saugerties, Stone Ridge, Wappingers Falls, and Woodstock. Additional mortgage lending offices are located in Orange, Dutchess, and Westchester counties.