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| Citizens Bank |
Her replacement, Joseph Carelli, said he plans to continue with Schmidt's model of community involvement and maintain Citizens' investment in local organizations. The head of a local business group said Schmidt will be difficult to replace.
"You could just look into Cathy's eyes and know how passionate she was about her work at the bank," said Robin Comstock, president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. "She will leave a strong mark, a large footprint and big shoes to fill. And she obviously leaves behind the results."
Schmidt's title was president of Citizens Bank, New Hampshire and Vermont. The $130 billion Citizens Financial Group Inc. is owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and maintains banks in 12 East Coast states and three Midwestern states.
An announcement yesterday gave no reason for Scmidt's departure. In a statement, Citizens chairman and chief-executive Ellen Alemany called Schmidt a talented banker who contributed to the success of Citizens in northern New England.
Schmidt joined Citizens in 2002; she worked as executive vice president and retail banking director in Massachusetts prior to being named state president in 2006.
Comstock noted that Schmidt served on the chamber board of directors for several years after coming to New Hampshire.
"She just so quickly became involved as a powerful and effective force in so many community issues," Comstock said. Schmidt and Comstock both worked on then-Mayor Frank Guinta's initiative to end homelessness in the city.
Carelli was raised in Massachusetts and has worked for Citizens in Manchester since 1992. He has lived in Hollis since 1996.
He plans to maintain his management responsibilities for commercial banking in New England.
"Over the last 19 years, I've been very actively involved in commercial business and supporting the baking needs of small and mid-sized businesses in New England," Carelli said. "I'm going to maintain that very important role of driving our business banking franchise."
He has largely focused his community activities on the Nashua Center for the Multiply Handicapped and The World Schools.
"This change really allows me in a renewed capacity to invest additional energy into community activities," Carelli said.
