Mechanics Cooperative Bank is proud to announce the following employee promotions. Commenting on the employee promotions below, President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Joseph T. Baptista, Jr. said “I am both proud and thankful we have the opportunity to promote these stellar employees.  Their hard work and dedication on behalf of Mechanics 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 the future.”

ThomasSteeleThomas Steele has been promoted to First Vice President, Information Technology at Mechanics Cooperative Bank. Mr. Steele began his banking career as Technical Support Engineer for Information Resources Inc. before being promoted to Systems Administrator in June 2000.  Mr. Steele was then offered a position with Bemis Associates Inc. in February of 2003 where he was responsible for supporting a worldwide Microsoft network of 300+ employees.  In September of 2010, Mr. Steele took a position with NWN Corporation in Waltham, MA as an Information Technology Professional.   He was then hired as Vice President of IT for Mechanics Cooperative Bank in May of 2015 before being named First Vice President in 2016.  Mr. Steele is responsible for managing and supporting all Bank technologies, including development, implementation, and administration of the Bank’s management program and Business Continuity program.

JorgelinaMoreiraJorgelina Moreira has been promoted to First Vice President at Mechanics Cooperative Bank. Ms. Moreira began her banking career as an Administrative Assistant and Teller at First Federal Savings Bank of America in Fall River, MA in the mid-1980’s.  She was then promoted to Deposit Operations Manager in 1987 where she worked for approximately 20 years being promoted several times throughout. Ms. Moreira then began working for Slade’s Ferry Bank in Somerset, MA in 2005 as the Retail Deposit Operations Manager before taking a job with Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2008 as Vice President of Operations.

KarenZankul_HeadshotKaren Capelo has been appointed to Assistant Vice President, Retail Banking Manager. Karen has been in banking for the past 29 years when she began as a teller for Taunton Savings Bank.  From there Ms. Capelo was promoted to Head Teller before taking a position at Sovereign Bank as a Branch Manager. She then moved to Community Bank as Branch Manager before being hired to manage the Mechanics Cooperative Bank branch in Dighton, MA in 2007.  She was promoted to Retail Sales Manager in 2008 before her current appointment of Assistant Vice President in late 2016. Ms. Capelo has strong affiliations with Girls Inc as Treasurer and Board Member as well as the Alyssa Correia Foundation.

KristenDussaultKristen Dussault has been named Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for Mechanics Cooperative Bank.  Ms. Dussault began her banking careen in 2002 at Lafayette Federal Savings Bank as part-time teller.  She was then promoted to  head teller before being approached to fill a role in the Human Resource department as a Representative in 2010. From there she was made Human Resource Manager before her current appointment of Assistant Vice President in 2016. Ms. Dussault is a graduate of Bristol Community College and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a degree in Accounting. She is also a dedicated board member for the non-profit group, Forever Paws Animal Shelter.