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CJ Architects recognized for design excellence

PORTSMOUTH — CJ Architects, a leading regional architectural design and construction management firm, received the American Institute of Architects Honor Award at the annual banquet of AIA New Hampshire.

The award recognized CJ Architect’s achievement in executing design excellence in creating its new corporate headquarters at 233 Vaughan St. CJ Architects acted as the architect and the general contractor, as well as the client on the award-winning design and construction of its Portsmouth office space. CJ Architects also designed the building in the downtown Historic District.

“It’s always a special honor to be recognized by the American Institute of Architects,” said Carla Goodknight, lead architect and owner of CJ Architects.

An AIA panel of leading architects from New England noted the firm’s superior design execution of the office space that features clean lines mixing maple and walnut with chrome and soapstone to create an industrial design with a modern European flair. Custom cabinetry maximizes space and gracefully hides clutter, while an open design allows for efficient workflow. The open-concept headquarters features 12-foot ceilings, walls of glass, clean interior design, a private patio, and rooftop pool with gardens. Sustainable technologies such as geothermal heating, efficient fixtures and lighting and advanced building envelope technologies combine to keep the space environmentally friendly.

CJ Architects is licensed to work in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Visit cjarchitects.net.

O’Neill retiring as Federal Savings Bank CEO

DOVER – Federal Savings Bank, a community bank headquartered in Dover, announced the retirement of President and Chief Executive Officer James J. “Jay” O’Neill Jr. at its annual board of directors meeting on Jan. 25.

In conjunction with this announcement, the board named current Chief Financial Officer James. R. Brannen as president of the bank.

O’Neill will continue to serve until May 17. Brannen will then become the 15th president and CEO in Federal Savings Bank’s 128-year history.

O’Neill, who began his banking career in 1975, joined FSB in 1994 as vice president, senior retail loan officer. In 2007, he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer, and became president and CEO in 2009.

During his leadership tenure, the bank has exceeded growth expectations, going from $257 million in assets in 2010 to $359 million in assets in 2017. He oversaw the opening of the bank’s fifth branch in Rochester, followed by the transformation of all five branches to a more modern “dialogue banking” concept, with FSB being the first bank on the Seacoast to implement this technology.

Brannen, a 30-year veteran of the banking industry, joined FSB in 2007 as vice president and chief financial officer. He served as executive vice president, chief financial officer and senior loan officer before becoming president.

Federal Savings Bank, founded in 1890, is one of the oldest community banks in the region, serving individuals, business customers and nonprofits with a range of deposit, investment, and loan products and services. FSB has headquarters in Dover with additional branch locations and ATMs in Durham, Barrington, Portsmouth and Rochester. Visit www.fsbdover.com.

Kennebunk Savings announces new staff

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Kennebunk Savings announced two staff additions in its southern Maine area.

Rhonda Hebert as vice president and branch manager of its Lower Village branch in Kennebunk. Hebert was most recently a branch manager and loan officer with another York County savings bank.

Hebert has a long history of volunteering in the Kennebunk area. She raised funds and helped steer the Education Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel as a board member and past president and she’s worked as a member of the United Way leadership committee in addition to being a former Loaned Executive. She has also volunteered as a Junior Achievement program educator and as a firm believer in financial literacy, she has taught classes on the subject at Kennebunk High School, Wells High School and Traip Academy. She lives with her family in Kennebunk.

Kennebunk Savings also announced Judy DesMeules as vice president and branch manager of its Wells office. DesMeules was most recently a branch manager at a New Hampshire area credit union.

DesMeules previously worked for another New Hampshire financial institution for a number of years as a relationship and branch manager where she served as a mentor and led classes in product knowledge and training. She has been a long-time summer resident on the Maine coast.

Visit www.kennebunksavings.com.