Michael L. Alberts may not be so much a fresh face as a refreshed face when it comes to the Farmington Valley. The new vice president and commercial relationship manager at Simsbury Bank makes his home in Woodstock but is a former resident of Canton and honors graduate from Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford.
“I have strong roots in the Farmington Valley,” said Alberts.
Alberts has held a number of positions with financial institutions. Prior to joining Simsbury Bank, he was senior vice president and senior commercial loan officer with Putnam Bank. Before holding that position, he was a vice president with the Savings Institute Bank & Trust Co., a principal of Woodstock Financial Group LLC. He also held several management positions with Fleet Bank.
In 2000, Alberts was awarded a certified financial planner license.
“Not as many people my age have done as many things in banking as I have,” said Alberts, 50.
In addition to the somewhat topsy-turvy world of banking, Alberts is a state representative for Connecticut‘s 50th Assembly District and serves as ranking house member of the Commerce Committee.
He’s serving his third term and would like a fourth. “The people have the final say if they want to keep you in office. It could only be three terms,” Alberts said.
Alberts, a Republican, has struggled every two years to keep his seat. “I’ve had vigorous opposition in all three races. There are no guarantees,” he said. In 2004 he won by 48 votes; 226 votes in 2006; and 116 votes in 2008.
Balancing two careers is not daunting to Alberts, who says he enjoys the challenge.
“I’m very well-organized and methodical,” he said, adding that it’s a financial necessity to have a career outside of politics. “You need to have a stable income flow to serve in the legislature,” Alberts added.
Alberts holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Connecticut, including a master’s degree in business administration. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Alberts served as an air traffic control officer in the United States Air Force and subsequently served in the Connecticut Air National Guard as a public affairs officer.
He is married with two children ages 12 and 15.g
Keith Griffin is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.
