Windham banker Rheo A. Brouillard was named chairman of Bankers’ Bank Northeast in time to oversee the Glastonbury correspondent bank’s search for a new chief executive.
Brouillard, a long-time Bankers’ board member who sits on its marketing and personnel committees, fills the vacancy created by the sudden death last month of former Connecticut banking commissioner Ralph Shulansky, who had been the correspondent bank’s only chairman since its founding in September 1998.
Brouillard remains president and CEO of SI Financial Group Inc., parent of Savings Institute Bank and Trust in the Willimantic section of Windham.
Brouillard’s ascension comes amid Bankers’ search for a successor to co-founder Peter J. “Pete” Sposito, who is retiring as president and CEO this fall.
Brouillard began his banking career in 1976 with Massachusetts-based BayBanks Corp. He joined Connecticut Online Computer Center (COCC), a regional bank service bureau, in 1983 and served as customer service vice president until returning to banking in 1989.
He was named president that year of Danielson Federal Savings & Loan Association in Killingly.
The Hampton resident joined the Savings Institute in August 1995, president and CEO and a director.
Brouillard graduated from Western New England University in Springfield, with a BS in management in 1976. He earned his MBA from Springfield’s American International College in 1978.
He is a past chairman of the Connecticut Bankers Association and currently serves as chairman of the CBA’s government relations committee. He is also vice chairman of the American Bankers Association Community Bank Council and a member of the ABA Government Relations Council.
He is president and director of the Northeastern Connecticut Community Development Corp. and its affiliate, Rural Homes Ltd.
He is vice chairman of the Windham Memorial Community Hospital and chairs Hampton’s Finance Board. He is also a former president of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
