People on the Move: BankNewport, United Way, Realtors and Open Sky Make Appointments

Monday, October 31, 2022

GoLocalProv Business Team

GoLocal’s People on the Move is an update on new hires and promotions across southern New England. If your organization has an announcement, email it to us at [email protected].

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Jennifer Hyde, BankNewport PHOTO: BankNewport

BankNewport Names Jennifer Hyde Vice President, Director of Marketing CommunicationsGET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE — SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

BankNewport is pleased to announce that Jennifer Hyde has joined the organization as vice president, and director of marketing communications. She will be responsible for the development and execution of the overall marketing strategy for the Bank across its brand family, including OceanPoint Insurance, OceanPoint Investment Solutions, and OceanPoint Marine Lending. Prior to her new position, Hyde was senior marketing manager at Citizens Bank for nine years and also served as an account manager at marketing agencies in Providence and Boston.

Hyde holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science in corporate and organizational communications from Northeastern University. She is a member of the United Way’s Young Leaders Circle. A native of Cumberland, RI, Hyde currently resides in South Kingstown, RI with her husband and two children.

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Michael Pereira PHOTO: Realtors

Michael Pereira Named 2022 R.I. Realtor of the Year

The Rhode Island Association of Realtors (RIAR) announced today that Michael Pereira of June Realty in East Greenwich, R.I. was chosen by his peers as the 2022 Rhode Island Realtor of the Year. The award recognizes one of nearly 7000 Realtors throughout Rhode Island for their dedication to the Realtor organization and their local communities. The statewide winner is chosen from the winners of five regional Realtor of the Year awards. Winners are chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to their local, state and national boards of Realtors and their civic and charitable contributions.

A Realtor for the past 19 years, Pereira has served as treasurer, president-elect and president of the Greater Providence Board of Realtors, and as a board director and member of the executive team of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. In addition, he has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Realtors and on numerous committees for the Greater Providence Board including the Shared Services, Finance, Technology and Grievance Committees. He is often interviewed by print and broadcast media on market conditions and trending real estate issues.

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PHOTO: Open Sky

Open Sky Appoints Mary Benvenuto as New CFO

Open Sky Community Services, a non-profit human services and behavioral health organization located in Worcester and with programs throughout Central Mass, has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer, according to Ken Bates, President and CEO.

Mary Benvenuto, of Blackstone, Massachusetts, has been appointed to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 3, 2022. Mary replaces Anthony Consolmagno who left to join Fallon Health in August.

Mary comes to Open Sky with close to 20 years of experience in the areas of Finance, Strategy and Leadership. Most recently, she served as CFO at Manet Community Health Center in Quincy where she was responsible for Finance and Revenue Cycle, Information Technology and Pharmacy. Prior to that she held senior executive roles in Finance and Operations at Last Mile Health in Boston and at the United Way of Rhode Island in Providence, RI.

She also held several positions in financial reporting and accounting for for-profit companies and has served on the Boards for Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club, Youth Pride Providence and the Blackstone Millville School District Strategic Planning Committee.

Mary has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bryant University in Rhode Island and a Master’s of Science degree in Accounting from Nichols College in Dudley, Mass.

“Mary has the right technical, strategic and leadership skills to help Open Sky continue to grow and remain financially healthy, so that we can sustain our mission of serving the community through integrated whole person care,” said Bates. “I am thrilled she is joining our team.”

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Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, SVP, Private Client Advisor, Bank of America
PHOTO: United Way

United Way Names Four

A slate of four community leaders has been appointed to the United Way of Rhode Island Board of Directors. The new directors were welcomed in their new roles during the organization’s recent 96th Annual Celebration.

Elected for three-year terms are David Bonenberger, president, R.I. Energy/PPL; Anthony Botelho, SVP, Team Leader, Washington Trust; Courtney Hawkins, health and human services industry executive, Salesforce; and Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, SVP, Private Client Advisor, Bank of America.

“We are excited to welcome such a talented group of individuals to our board – these are folks who care deeply about Rhode Island and every single person who lives here,” said Dolph Johnson, United Way board chair, and EVP, chief human resources officer for Hasbro, Inc. “Each bring a unique and important perspective to our work to build racial equity and opportunities for all.”

David Bonenberger is the president of Rhode Island Energy and a key leader of PPL Corporation. He has more than four decades of experience in the energy industry, and prior to coming to the Ocean State, was VP of Operations Integration at PPL in Pennsylvania. He holds a degree from Bloomsburg University, and a master’s in business administration from Wilkes University.

Anthony Botelho joined Washington Trust in 2021, where he oversees the bank’s Commercial & Industrial group, and also its Cash Management Division. He has spent more than 35 years in the financial sector, with experience across private banking, commercial real estate, and market development. Anthony is a past president of the R.I. Bankers Association. He is a lifelong Rhode Islander and graduate of both the University of Rhode Island and Bryant University, where he earned an M.B.A. Anthony and his family live in Lincoln.

Working with government to implement health and human service technology tools that improve services, Courtney Hawkins serves in a leadership role for Salesforce. Previously, she was director of the R.I. Department of Human Services, where she was committed to ensuring all vulnerable families and individuals had an opportunity to make economic progress. She oversaw the state’s public benefits programs as well as the divisions that handle child support enforcement and vocational rehab for individuals with disabilities. During her tenure, she shepherded major policy and procedural improvements to the childcare aid and cash assistance programs.

Since joining Bank of America’s business banking division in 2000, Yahaira “Jay” Placencia has held a wide range of roles, and is currently SVP, Private Client Advisor. She is responsible for managing commercial client relationships and for developing strategies that support for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Jay has a deep commitment to her community and is also a member of the Rhode Island Commodores and serves as a trustee of the University of Rhode Island Board, among her involvements. She is also a member of United Way of Rhode Island’s Community Advisory Board and its Governance, Ethics, and Nominating Committee. Jay is a first-generation Dominican American and the proud mother of two children. She lives in Johnston.

Along with the new additions to its Board of Directors, United Way of Rhode Island also installed new members to its Community Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB is a diverse group of individuals who lend their expertise and insights to help guide the organization’s strategic initiatives and community investments. It is an additional way for the organization to stay connected to the community and inject its voice into its work. New to the CAB, are:

Jillian Balzano, community relations officer, Washington Trust
Kathleen Burke, executive director, Newport Partnership for Families
Rilwan Feyisitan, president & CEO, Community Action Partnership of Providence County
Robert Hughes, retired CEO, Missouri Foundation for Health
Kerci Marcello Stroud, chief marketing & communications officer, RI School of Design
Dorca M. Paulino, director, Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance, University of RI
Juan (J’Juan) Wilson, Jr., founder & CEO, Muse Foundation of RI

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