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CEO Appoints Banking Veteran to Lead Operations and Drive Adaptation as Industry Takes New Shape
HOUSTON – (March 16, 2009) — Pinnacle Financial Strategies, a Houston-based banking consulting firm, today announced Mark Collins joined the company as President and COO.
Collins joins Pinnacle with more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry. As President and COO, Collins will be responsible for positioning the company for success in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Most recently, Collins served as Executive Vice President of TD Banknorth in Portland, ME, where he was part of the senior management team responsible for growing the institution from a single-state, $1 billion savings bank to a 13-state, $105 billion top 20 USA Commercial Bank. As EVP, Collins created and implemented the Small Business Foundations program, a nationally recognized venture that helped TD Banknorth capture leading market share.
"The financial services industry is retooling itself from the bottom up right now, but its challenges are coupled with great opportunity," said Collins. "I'm excited to join a company with Pinnacle's strong history that is also focused on being nimble and taking advantage of this opportunity to help community banks meet consumer demand in a new marketplace."
Prior to joining TD Banknorth, Collins held senior positions with New Dartmouth Bank, Chase Manhattan Bank, Merchant Savings Bank, Nestle and Olivetti USA. In 2004, he was named the U.S. Small Business Administration's Financial Services Champion in Forbes magazine.
Joe Gillen, one of Pinnacle's co-founders, will continue to serve the company as CEO.
"Mark is a proven leader with demonstrated results in multiple financial services sectors, including community, regional and multi-national banking," said Gillen. "I'm certain that his experience, skill set, enthusiasm, team orientation and leadership are perfectly aligned with our culture, and will benefit our customer base. He understands the dynamics facing the industry, and I'm confident that he will bring a unique perspective to our operations and business model."
Collins recently authored the foreword to The Customer Approved Small Business, one of a series of award-winning "Approved Series" books.
About Pinnacle Financial Strategies
Pinnacle Financial Strategies is the business for better banking. Founded in 1997, Pinnacle has helped more than 1,000 banks and credit unions generate revenue, enhance customer service and retention, and improve profitability. For more information, call Pinnacle Financial Strategies at 866.737.1235 or visit www.pinnstrat.com.
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