Jim Caliendo, President & CEO, PWCampbell
When it comes to reimagining retail branch networks and optimizing main office space, how do financial leaders know what’s new – and what’s next? They look to Jim Caliendo, a recognized professional in the design-build and financial services industries. Serving as President & CEO of PWCampbell for 22 years, Jim oversees the day-to-day operations of PWCampbell and its four subsidiary companies and acts as the company’s visionary leader taking the company into new markets and expanding its service offering. Throughout his career, Jim has influenced over one million square feet of retail space within the financial industry and developed main office space to maximize efficiencies for hundreds of financial institutions.
Backed by two decades as a bank executive for a $1.8 billion savings association, Jim has a knack for blending the two industries to get to the heart of a concept and then explains it simply and concisely. A born storyteller, Jim’s vast knowledge of the design-build industry combined with his humor, engaging manner, and meaningful advice, make him an ideal choice for leading educational sessions and facilitating board and management retreats. Audiences leave Jim’s presentations with proven, real-world ideas they can immediately implement to successfully transform and expand their retail branch networks, maximize efficiencies and branch profitability, and ensure efficiency of operational space.
Kimberly Decker, Esq, Partner, Barley Snyder
Kimberly Decker is a Partner at Barley Snyder, a Mid Atlantic law firm of approximately 100 attorneys. Kim works with financial institutions providing general counsel, securities and mergers and acquisitions services. She handles financial institution and holding company formations, branch acquisitions, minority investments in financial institutions and regulatory compliance issues for Federal Reserve, FDIC and OCC regulated financial institutions of all shapes and sizes. Kim has worked with financial institutions on both stock and asset transactions, as well as reorganizations. In 2021, she was named a “Best Lawyer” in Banking and Finance Law, and recently the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal named her to their annual “Women of Influence” list. In 2016, The Legal Intelligencer named her to their “Top Women in Law” list. She is a graduate of William & Mary Law School.
Tony DeSanctis, Senior Director, Cornerstone Advisors
Tony DeSanctis brings more than 20 years of financial services experience to Cornerstone Advisors. As co-lead of the firm’s Payments practice, Tony helps financial institutions optimize their payments businesses. He created and facilitates Cornerstone’s Payments School and works directly with clients to develop custom payments plans and strategies.
Before joining Cornerstone, Tony was senior vice president at Bank of Hawaii, where he managed the relaunch of the bank’s credit card program. During his time at Bank of Hawaii, Tony managed numerous areas, including credit and debit card, dealer indirect lending and mobile banking. Prior to Bank of Hawaii Tony served in management roles at Bank of America and MBNA overseeing operations, technology, marketing, vendor management, call center and finance.
Tony is a contributing writer for GonzoBanker, Cornerstone’s blog; and CU Management, and he is frequently quoted in industry periodicals, including American Banker, ABA Banking Journal and Credit Union Times.
Dr. Linda Eagle, President, Global Bankers Institute
Dr. Linda Eagle is President and co-founder of Global Bankers Institute. Linda’s understanding of the business requirements of the banking industry and her expertise in human and organizational communication have enabled her to address the most important elements in solving today’s business problems: people, technology and bottom-line results. Global Bankers Institute (GBI) is known for bringing innovation to banks around the world and helping them maximize the performance of their people. Linda has personally worked with hundreds of banks from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to California – from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia- and from Singapore and Korea to China – to increase results through engagement, communication, education, development, growth and enrichment of employees.
Linda is an expert in Communication and has a triple Ph.D. in Communication, Psychology and Business. She was Professor of Organizational Psychology at City University of New York and is a frequent guest lecturer at Columbia University, NYU and Temple University. Linda has been a sought after, frequent keynote speaker and panel member at conferences around the world including The 1st Annual AML Seminar in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted by Complinet, The 10th Annual ATMIA Conference & Expo, and Asia’s Retail Banking Technology conference. She served on a panel on Legal and Business ethics for the American Bar Association with members of the Federal Reserve System. She also co-led the Sarbanes Oxley Panel at Drexel School of Business and served on the Board of Ethics in Business of the Temple University School of Law. Linda has participated in numerous advisory panels and served on educational boards for industry associations including BankersOnline, Global Leaders, Compliance Alert and ACAMS.
James J. Edwards, Jr., CEO, United Bank, 2020-2021 ABA Chair
Jim Edwards is CEO of United Bank, a $1.7 billion community bank operating 18 locations in 11 contiguous central Georgia counties. The bank traces its roots back to the founding of The Bank of Zebulon over 110 years ago, and Jim is proud to be part of the third generation of his family to run the company. In addition to traditional banking services, United Bank also operates mortgage and wealth management lines of business.
Jim has been actively involved in the banking industry at both the state and national level over the past 25 years. In addition to serving as chairman of ABA, he currently is vice-chairman of The American Bankers Mutual Insurance Company and is a member of the FDIC Community Bank Advisory Committee. Jim previously chaired ABA’s Community Bankers Council in 2016. He was chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association in 2013 and chaired its Leadership Section in 2000.
Jim is committed to helping build the communities United Bank serves. He is vice-chairman of Upson Regional Medical Center and is a member of Emory University’s Board of Visitors. He is a past chairman of the Gordon State College Foundation, the Thomaston/Upson Chamber of Commerce and the Thomaston/Upson Development Authority.
Jim received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University, an MBA from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of ABA’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He and his wife, Dr. Laura Edwards, have three grown children and live in Forsyth, Georgia.
Ryan W. Hayhurst, Managing Director, The Baker Group
Ryan W. Hayhurst joined The Baker Group in 1991 and is a Managing Director and Manager of the Financial Strategies Group. Ryan oversees the design and implementation of investment and asset/liability strategies for financial institutions and regularly presents educational seminars nationwide, with a focus on investment and interest rate risk management. He is a frequent speaker at financial institution conventions and investment conferences, and has served as a faculty member of several national and regional banking schools. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Cheryl Johson, Chief Human Resources Officer, Paylocity
Cheryl Johnson, Paylocity’s, Chief Human Resources Officer, oversees strategy for HR, culture, and employment brand. She joined Paylocity in 2018 and brings with her more than 20 years of progressive HR experience with an extensive focus on developing strategies for high-growth companies to shape and scale their culture. Cheryl has devoted her career to enabling progressive organizational mindsets and breaking down cross-functional silos so that top organizations can achieve more, together. She is extremely passionate about co-elevating the HR community as critical drivers of a better workplace for all.
Marsha Ellis Jones, Executive Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Marsha Ellis Jones is the executive vice president and chief diversity officer for The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. In this role, Jones leads the development and implementation of strategies and programs that help further build and sustain a talented, diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion. Jones is a frequent national guest speaker, panelist and lecturer on the business case for diversity and the impact that inclusive cultures have on corporate innovation. Her accomplishments in the field of diversity were a feature story in Diversity Executive magazine.
Jones joined PNC after a distinguished career of more than 25 years at Merrill Lynch. Over the course of her tenure, each of the sales management executive positions she held marked a milestone for African American women in the financial services industry.
Jones is the recipient of numerous awards and citations for her professional achievement. She has been recognized by Savoy magazine as a Top Influential Woman in Corporate America and one of the Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity by Black Enterprise magazine. In addition, Jones has been recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier as one of 50 Women of Excellence and named one of the 25 Influential Women in Business by the Network Journal.
Jones is the current treasurer of the national board of the American Heart Association and is chair of the operating committee. She is also a current member of the board of directors of the FISA Foundation, the Executive Leadership Academy and serves on the advisory board of the Imani Christian Academy.
Jones holds a bachelor’s degree from Lehman College, a master’s degree from Columbia University and is a graduate of The Executive Leadership Development Program of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Robert Kafafian, Chief Executive Officer, The Kafafian Group, Inc.
Mr. Kafafian is CEO of The Kafafian Group, a finance, strategy, and operations consulting firm that specializes in performance measurement, profitability outsourcing, strategic and capital planning, regulatory assistance, process/profit improvement, and investment banking advisory services for the financial industry.
Over the past 35+ years Bob has consulted with, and advised over, 400 financial institutions in over forty states. He is a frequent speaker and writer on a variety of banking subjects and often quoted in banking periodicals. He also teaches at numerous banking schools.
Bob received his B.A. degree in Business/Economics from Moravian College, and his M.B.A. in Finance from Fairleigh Dickson University. He is an active Board member of a number of other corporations, professional, community, and academic organizations. He has written a book, published by AMIfs titled, KEYS TO COMMUNITY BANK SUCCESS/ ”Utilizing Management Information to Make Informed Decisions”.
Thomas Killian, Managing Director, Piper Sandler & Co.
Thomas Killian is a managing director in the financial services group at Piper Sandler.
Previously, he was a principal at Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. His 43-year career in commercial and investment banking includes seven years of commercial banking experience with NationsBank, structuring and arranging leveraged finance transactions, two years with Salomon Brothers transacting capital markets and advisory assignments for a variety of major corporations, five years with J.P. Morgan managing financial advisory and capital raising activities for banks and
thrifts in the Western region of the United States, 27 years with Sandler O'Neill, and two years with Piper Sandler advising banks, thrifts, and insurance companies on a variety of capital markets, strategic advisory and M&A assignments.
At Sandler O'Neill and Piper Sandler, Mr. Killian has managed the successful execution of numerous M&A and capital raising transactions. He has managed a number of unique transactions including advising the FDIC on the successful least cost resolution of Doral Bank using a multiple acquirer strategy. He also co-managed the Sandler O'Neill team responsible for successfully completing 17 pooled trust preferred transactions that raised over $7 billion for approximately 650 financial institutions. Included in Killian's capital raising transactions are eight recapitalization and restructuring transactions that involved complex capital structures designed to preserve tax benefits for the issuing institutions. He has functioned as a primary resource in structuring and implementing complex capital markets transactions for financial institutions. Mr. Killian is also considered an expert on the convergence of financial services and technology, and is frequently invited to visit with bank boards to discuss opportunities and challenges in the space.
Killian is a founding board member of Students Bridging the Information Gap, a 501(c)(3) charity that provides computers, books and other support to African schools and orphanages. He has also established two Killian Family Old Well Scholarships for students from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Killian holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a John Motley Morehead Merit Scholar, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Paul G. Mattaini, Esq., Partner, Barley Snyder
Paul G. Mattaini is a partner of Barley Snyder, a Mid Atlantic law firm of approximately 100 attorneys. Paul has practiced in the business area for over 30 years, concentrating in the mergers and acquisitions, securities, banking and corporate areas. He has participated in hundreds of M&A transactions, including over 50 in the banking area. Paul has an “AV” Martindale Hubbell rating and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America (M&A, corporate, securities/capital markets and banking/ finance areas) and in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (Mergers and Acquisitions). Prior to 1994, Paul practiced in New England with extensive experience in bank M&A.
William J. Nowik, Principal & Chief Information Security Officer, Wolf & Co, P.C.
Will is a Principal in Wolf’s Advisory Group and the Firm’s Chief Information Security Officer. He also leads Wolf’s New Jersey office, where he manages a team of professionals to ensure his clients receive information technology (IT) services tailored to their individual needs. Prior to joining Wolf in 2002, Will was an internal IT auditor at Staples, Inc. Will resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with his wife and children. When he’s not helping clients secure their cybersecurity environment, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf, football, and basketball.
Scott Polakoff, CAMS, Executive Vice President, FinPro
Scott joined FinPro to co-lead its regulatory practice after serving over 22 years with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (8 years as the Chicago Regional Director) and 4 years with Office of Thrift Supervision as its Chief Operating Officer. From 2009 to 2011 he was a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton as a leader in the core financial services group. Mr. Polakoff has collaborated with top-level agency leadership at the OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve, has testified multiple times before the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee, and is a sought-after industry specialist on banking and capital markets.
Tony Repanich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Shield Compliance
As President and Chief Operating Officer of Shield Compliance, Tony leads day-to-day operations and is the company’s principal product architect. Having served as a senior executive at a Washington State-based community bank for over 20 years, Tony has in-depth knowledge of the banking industry and the regulatory and compliance requirements for high-risk industries. Today he brings that knowledge to financial institutions serving and considering serving the legal cannabis industry.
Gerard Senehi
Gerard Senehi is recognized as a "superstar" in mentalist entertainment. He has been featured on numerous television shows internationally including The Today Show, Ellen, Fox News and CNN. New York Magazine referred to his performance as "some sort of religious experience from the sixteenth century." World leaders, celebrities and top corporations have been moved by the unique way he combines mind-blowing mentalism with an inspirational outlook on Life.
Gerard has a passion to inspire audiences to consider the impossible. He can transport an audience from their everyday environment to a different dimension, creating an environment where people suspend their ideas of what’s possible. People often describe the experience as “the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen” and many comment on how it has truly opened their mind.
Gerard is also the founder and President of Open Future Institute and the QUESTion Project, a non-profit organization which trains teachers to facilitate a semester long class that provides outlets for students’ humanity. As a mentalist he was the recipient of the Dunninger Memorial Award, the highest award from the community of his peers. As an educator, he is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Gerard lives in New York City with his wife Francesca.
Kim Snyder, CEO, KlariVis
Kim Snyder is the founder and CEO of KlariVis, a unique and proprietary data analytics solution designed by bankers for bankers. KlariVis allows financial institutions to quickly aggregate and visualize their previously siloed and disparate data in one place with unparalleled ease for datadriven decision making. KlariVis enables organizations to create contextual customer intelligence that can be deployed across the organization and leveraged for consistent multichannel experiences to generate sales, increase loyalty, and reduce operating expenses.
Snyder is a results-oriented strategic problem solver which is showcased by her development of the industry’s first data analytics solution with the purpose of helping financial institution executives make effective and efficient decisions. Her career has focused on being a hands-on leader who serves as a positive change agent for internal and external communications networks.
Snyder is also founder and president of KBS Results LLC, a financial institution management consulting firm. Additionally, she was EVP and CFO of Valley Financial Corporation/Valley Bank, a $900m publicly traded bank in Roanoke, Virginia for 10 years. She was instrumental in the success of the Bank which led to the acquisition by BNC Bancorp at a 173% premium to tangible book value in June 2015.
Snyder earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from James Madison University. She continued her education at University of Pennsylvania with the American Bankers Association (ABA) Stonier Graduate Wharton School Leadership program and ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Crystal Washington
Crystal Washington, CSP works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity!
As a technology strategist and certified futurist, Crystal takes complex social media, app, and web topics, and makes them easy to understand and accessible for everyday people.
Crystal’s clients comprise Fortune 500 companies including Google, Microsoft, and GE and as a sought-after keynote speaker, she has entertained and educated audiences around the globe.
She has appeared in numerous publications including Entrepreneur, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Forbes and is regularly called on by major television networks as a tech expert.
Crystal is the author of the books One Tech Action: An Efficiency Guide for Busy Non-techie Professionals to get More Done, Build Better Relationships, and Enjoy More Free time and The Social Media Why: A Busy Professional’s Practical Guide to Using Social Media Including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Blogs for Business.
Salvatore Zerilli, Managing Director, The Mercadien Group
Salvatore Zerilli is the Managing Director & Chair of Mercadien’s Financial Institutions Services Group. A seasoned banking industry professional, Sal specializes in performing risk management services for banks and U.S. branches of foreign banking institutions and other financial entities. These services include outsourced internal audit, regulatory compliance reviews, enterprise risk management and consulting services.
A certified anti-money laundering specialist, Mr. Zerilli’s specific areas of expertise include the Bank Secrecy (BSA) and USA Patriot Acts, allowance for loan and lease losses, asset and liability management, liquidity management, information technology, and regulatory compliance. He works closely with financial institutions to ensure that they have properly implemented compliance programs that meet their needs and the scrutiny of federal and state regulators. Well-versed in the various software applications for BSA compliance, Sal is a sought-after expert in this area, and a frequent presenter and author on regulatory compliance and audit topics.
Mr. Zerilli also has more than 20 years of banking industry experience, performing external audits of community and commercial banks and serving as vice president, chief operating officer, and controller of several New York City banks. His duties included supervising the financial accounting, deposit and loan operations, information technology, and human resources departments. Sal also was a director in an accounting and consulting firm where he was responsible for overseeing the outsourced internal audit engagements for financial institutions. This hands-on involvement augments Sal’s business acumen about internal bank operations and the industry.