TAUNTON, MA: Mechanics Cooperative Bank is proud to announce several promotions in 2023, supporting the Bank’s mission to create career paths for employees while growing talent from within the organization. President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank Joseph T. Baptista, Jr. said “I am both proud and thankful we can promote these individuals directly from our incredibly talented pool of employees. Their hard work and dedication has made a significant impact on our organization and is integral to our continued success. We are thrilled to acknowledge and award their efforts and I look forward to continuing to work alongside them in their new roles.” The following team members have been promoted:
Edward Petras – First Vice President, Commercial Lending Team Leader
Edward Petras, started with Mechanics Cooperative Bank as Vice President of Commercial Lending in 2015. In 2018 he was promoted to Vice President, Commercial Lending Team Leader, where he served until his promotion earlier this year. Ed continuously originates a large volume of commercial loans, while simultaneously serving as both leader and mentor to the entire Mechanics Cooperative Bank Commercial Lending Team. Ed’s leadership – paired with his exceptional loan production and continued delivery of first-class customer service – has positioned his department and the bank for future growth. Before joining Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Ed had over 15 years of banking experience on both the retail and lending side of the industry. He worked for both Sovereign Bank and Rockland Trust as a Business Development Officer, and later joined Sharon Credit Union as a Commercial Banking Officer. Ed is a life-long resident of Brockton. Ed also dedicates his personal time to his work with the S.E.A.L Foundation, where he serves on the Board of Advisors.
Kristen Dussault – First Vice President, Human Resources
Kristen Dussault has been named First Vice President of Human Resources for Mechanics Cooperative Bank. Ms. Dussault began her banking career in 2002 at Lafayette Federal Savings Bank as a part-time teller and was later promoted to head teller before being approached to fill a role in the Human Resource department as a Representative in 2010. She was promoted in 2015 to Human Resource Manager, and again in 2017 to Assistant Vice President. Ms. Dussault served as Vice President of Human Resources from 2019 until her promotion this year to First Vice President, Human Resources. Ms. Dussault is a graduate of Bristol Community College and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a degree in Accounting. Ms. Dussault is a resident of Fall River where she lives with her husband and son and serves as the Secretary of the Board for Forever Paws Animal Shelter.
Sandra Pimentel – First Vice President, Retail Operations & Training
Sandra Pimentel has been promoted to First Vice President, Retail Operations & Training. With over 20 years of previous banking experience, Ms. Pimentel joined the Mechanics Cooperative Bank team in 2009 as Branch Manager of the Westport location. In 2017 Ms. Pimentel was promoted to Retail Operations Manager and transitioned out of the branch to provide leadership and direction to the Bank’s retail operations group including branch operations and retail training. In addition, Ms. Pimentel is responsible for the execution and streamlining of retail policies and procedures. In 2018 Ms. Pimentel was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Retail Operations where she continued to expand the Retail Operations and Training department. She was later promoted to Vice President, Retail Operations in 2019 and served in that role until her promotion this year. Sandra is an active board member of The Fall River Kiwanis Club and a graduate of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a degree in Biology. She is a resident of Acushnet where she resides with her husband and two children.
Lawrence Fernandes – Vice President, Relationship Development Officer
Lawrence Fernandes has been named Vice President, Relationship Development Officer. Mr. Fernandes joined Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2016 as Branch Manager of the Somerset Office where he brought over ten (10) years of community banking experience. In 2019, Mr. Fernandes was promoted to Business Development Officer where he served as a resource for business customers, acting as a liaison between the retail and lending departments, while focusing on customer relationships and the growth of deposit and loan sales goals. He was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Business Development Officer in 2020 where he served until his current promotion to Vice President, Relationship Development Officer. In this role, Mr. Fernandes will focus on building and deepening the relationships of Mechanics Cooperative Bank customers. Lawrence resides in Fall River with his family and is also an active member of the United Way of Greater Fall River’s Allocations Committee and Plymouth County’s Old Colony Elder Services Money Management Program Advisory Board.
Helen Oliveira – Branch Manager, Swansea
Helen Oliveira has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Swansea location. Ms. Oliveira will be responsible for the overall operations, performance, and customer service of the branch. Helen began her banking career with Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2011 as Head Teller where she brought over 20 years of previous banking and sales experience with her. Ms. Oliveira continued to excel with the bank and was later promoted to Assistant Branch Manager in 2020 and served in that role until this year where she was promoted to Branch Manager. Ms. Oliveira is a graduate of Bristol Community College and resides in Fall River, MA with her family.
Joshua J. Narciso – Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Customer Experience
Joshua Narciso has been named Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Customer Experience. Mr. Narciso began his banking career with Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2005 as a teller while pursuing his higher education. Upon graduating, he was approached to fill a role in the Marketing department and was promoted to Marketing Assistant. Mr. Narciso was promoted from Marketing Assistant to Marketing and Retail Analyst in 2016 and promoted again in 2018 to Marketing Manager. In 2023, Joshua was promoted to his current role of Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience where he oversees the daily operations of the Marketing Department and is responsible for the creation and implementation of products and services to enhance the customer experience of the bank. Mr. Narciso is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics & New Media. He is a resident of Fall River, MA.
Stephanie Wood – Assistant Vice President, Commercial Loan Operations Manager
Stephanie Wood has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Commercial Loan Operations Manager. Ms. Wood began her career with Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2020 where she served as the bank’s Senior Paralegal. During her tenor with the bank, she has improved pipeline management/processes and streamlined the closing of commercial loans. Her expertise in the closing of commercial loans has improved the relationships with outside counsel and has allowed the Commercial Loan Officers more time to focus on customer relationship management and sales. Ms. Wood is a graduate of Endicott College and The University Of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a degree in Business Management. Stephanie is a resident of Mattapoisett where she lives with her husband Tommy.
Mike Oliveira – Security Officer and BSA Manager
Mike Oliveira has been promoted to Security Officer and BSA Manager. Mike Oliveira began his career with Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2016 where he served as BSA/OFAC/Security Analyst in the Compliance Department. Mr. Oliveira was later promoted to Senior BSA and Security Risk Analyst in 2019 and again in 2021 to Assistant Manager, BSA and Security. Mike has continued to take on many new security and BSA related responsibilities over the years resulting in his promotion to Security Officer and BSA Manager. In this expanded role, Mr. Oliveira will serve as a primary point of contact for all Bank Security Act related inquires and issues. Mike is a resident of New Bedford, MA, and in his spare time enjoys volunteering at local food pantries and events to promote Autism Awareness.
About Mechanics Cooperative Bank
With total assets of $650 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. As a Massachusetts co-operative bank, 100% of customers’ deposits are always fully insured. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank with nine conveniently located branches in Taunton, North Dighton, Bridgewater, Fall River, Westport, Swansea, Somerset, and New Bedford. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member DIF. Equal Housing Lender.
