Strayton Retiring As President of Provident Bank

George Strayton, president and CEO of Montebello-based Provident Bank, has announced his retirement from the company.

Strayton, a Valley Cottage resident who is long known for his community involvement, is set to end his 25-year career with the bank at the end of June. In July, taking his place is Jack Kopinsky, a longtime banker whose career includes leadership positions with KeyBank and First Marblehead, the student loan company.

As Strayton steps down, he is being hailed by business and community leaders for his many years of supporting community programs and for his philanthropic efforts.

"When you think of Provident Bank business and community, you think of George Strayton," said Clarkstown town Supervisor Alex Gromack. "He has been a leader in the banking industry from Albany to Washington but has also been a leader in our community never forgetting the deep roots he and his family have here. I wish George the best in his retirement and hope he remains an active member of our community."

Bill Longhi, president and CEO of Pearl River-based Orange and Rockland Utilities, said Strayton represents the model of a successful, civic-minded business leader, deeply involved in his community and strongly committed to ensuring its prosperity and quality of life.

“Many of us at O&R have had both the privilege and the pleasure of working with George on many community projects, most notably the United Way, over the years. He’s not only an effective advocate for those in need, but he’s a joy to work with, a wonderful, positive man,” Longhi said. “In fact, we have such great respect for George that we invited him in 2002 to join O&R’s Board of Directors. Since then, his wise advice and counsel have been very important in furthering O&R’s business objectives.”

During his 25 years at the bank, Provident has grown to be the largest community bank in the region, with $2.9 billion in assets. Although Strayton is retiring, he will remain on the Provident Bank board of directors.

In addition to his role on the board of directors of O&R, Strayton has held chairmanship roles in organizations including the Rockland Business Association, St. Thomas Aquinas College, The United Way and the Rockland County Boy Scouts. In addition to his personal involvement in the community, bank officials said Strayton has encouraged Provident Bank officers and employees to also get involved.

"I've always said that what is good for the community is good for Provident Bank," Strayton said. "It is our responsibility to support the economic success of our communities."

Al Samuels, president of the Rockland Business Association, said Strayton's involvement with the RBA helped to establish the group in Rockland.

Strayton has also served as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, The New York Bankers Association, New York Business Development Corporation, and as a member of the Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council to the New York Federal Reserve Bank.

His profile in the community recently hit an even higher level as Provident Bank became the naming sponsor of the new baseball stadium in Rockland County. Provident Bank Park in Pomona is home  of the Rockland Boulders, an indpendent Canadian-American League.

The stadium opened last Thursday, with Strayton among team and local officials who cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open Provident Bank Park.

"George Strayton is leaving a legacy of growth and community leadership," said William F. Helmer, chairman of Provident New York Bancorp. "It has been an honor to work with him for nearly three decades. We are pleased he has agreed to remain on the board where we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and experience. He leaves behind an extremely strong and talented management team that will continue to serve us well."

Strayton said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and traveling in his retirement.

"I'm extremely gratified by the success we've achieved during my tenure, and I could not be prouder of all that has been accomplished by our employees," Strayton said. "Provident Bank is performing consistently and is well positioned for continued success in the future. The years I have been at Provident Bank have been very rewarding. While the bank grew and prospered, my wife Vicky and I raised our children into adulthood and we now have a grandchild."

Provident has been searching for a potential replacement for Strayton for the past year and Kopnisky is slate to take over as president and CEO of the bank on July 6.

"I have been actively involved with the board's search for my successor," Strayton said. "Mr. Kopnisky is the right person at the right time for Provident Bank."

Kopnisky, 55, has been CEO of SJB Escrow Corporation, a $1.1 billion investment pool, since 2009. He also has been a partner in Mercatus, a national financial services consulting and investing firm, since 2008.

From 2005 until 2008, Kopnisky was president and CEO of First Marblehead Corporation, a packager of educational loans. Kopnisky also served in a variety of leadership positions with KeyCorp and its predecessors  from 1998 to 2005.

Kopnisky started his banking career in 1978 at Pittsburgh National Bank as a management trainee.

"I am looking forward to building a best in class financial services company," Kopnisky said. "I am impressed with the resources and strong foundation for growth that has been built at Provident and am eager to leverage the capabilities to deliver strong results to our investors, exceptional service to our clients and a terrific work environment for employees."

Helmer said Kopnisky has received the full backing of the Provident board of diretors.

"The Board conducted a national search with the assistance of Russell Reynolds Associates before selecting Jack as our new president and chief executive officer," Helmer said. "His qualifications and personal characteristics stood out as singularly impressive. Jack has also expressed his strong commitment to continue the Bank's tradition of community involvement."

Provident Bank has 35 branches in the Hudson Valley region, with three Commercial Banking Centers in Westchester County, and one office in Bergen County, N.J. The bank offers commercial, retail and investment services.