Executive Management

Thomas J. Kemly, President and Chief Executive Officer

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Thomas J. Kemly was appointed President and CEO of Columbia Bank in 2012. He has since led the Bank on a steady growth trajectory by spearheading organic growth, Columbia Financial, Inc.’s IPO and strategic acquisitions. With over 40 years of experience, Mr. Kemly has been an active and influential figure in banking. Most recently, Kemly was elected to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Board of Directors and was named to the Power 100 List by NJBIZ, a statewide business publication. Throughout his career he has worked to advance housing opportunities for families of all incomes, accelerate local community development and increase charitable giving efforts. Kemly pioneered the Bank’s “Team Columbia” initiatives, where the Bank encourages employees to volunteer at local organizations and participate in meaningful community events. In conjunction with Columbia Bank’s IPO in 2018, he grew the Columbia Bank Foundation to one of the largest private giving Foundations in the state of New Jersey.

Kemly began his Columbia Bank career in 1981 and has held a number of positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, before becoming President of the Bank.

E. Thomas Allen, Jr., Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

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Mr. Allen joined Columbia Bank in 1994 as a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager. He has also held various positions within the finance department, including Treasurer, Vice President and Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Treasurer, and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in 2015.

Prior to joining Columbia Bank, Mr. Allen served as a Financial Analyst for Irving Trust, Vice President of Finance for Lincoln Federal Savings Bank, and Senior Vice President and Treasurer for Crestmont Federal Savings Bank.

Mr. Allen also serves as a Director of the Columbia Bank Foundation, a member of the New Jersey Bankers Association, the Financial Managers Society of New York and New Jersey, and regularly volunteers his time in support of the Patriots Path Council, as an Executive Board member.

Mr. Allen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri and an MBA in Financial Management from Pace University.

Dennis E. Gibney, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Mr. Gibney joined Columbia Bank in 2014 as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Columbia Bank, Mr. Gibney served as Principal at FinPro Capital Advisors, Inc., an investment banking and consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry.

Mr. Gibney graduated Magna Cum Laude from Babson College with a triple major in Finance, Investments and Economics. He has also earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

W. Justin Jennings, Executive Vice President and Operations Officer

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Mr. Jennings was appointed Executive Vice President, Operations Officer of Columbia Bank in January 2022. In this role, Mr. Jennings is responsible for the Operations division including Card Services, Deposit Operations, Loan Servicing and the Customer Service Center. Prior to joining Columbia Bank, Mr. Jennings served in various positions with JP Morgan Chase & Co. since 2004.

Most recently, Mr. Jennings served as Executive Director, Head of Treasury Services – Community Development Banking at JP Morgan Chase & Co. from 2020 to January 2022, served as Executive Director, Client Service Director – Commercial Real Estate at JP Morgan Chase & Co. from 2015 to 2020 and served as Executive Director, Senior Business Manager – Commercial Banking Client Services at JP Morgan Chase & Co. from 2013 to 2015.

Mr. Jennings holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from The Ohio State University and received an MBA from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.

John Klimowich, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer

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Mr. Klimowich joined Columbia Bank in 1985 as a Junior Accountant. He has also held various positions within the accounting department, including as Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller and Senior Vice President, Controller. He was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer in 2013.

Mr. Klimowich serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fair Lawn’s All-Sports Program and is a volunteer Coordinator with Fair Lawn’s Youth Baseball Program. He previously served as a member of the National Financial Institutions Accounting Council (FIAC), as a National Board Member of the Financial Manager’s Society (FMS) and as Past President of the New York/New Jersey FMS Chapter.

Mr. Klimowich earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from William Paterson University and an MBA in Accounting from Seton Hall University.

Oliver E. Lewis, Jr., Executive Vice President and Head Of Commercial Banking

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Oliver E. Lewis, Jr. was appointed EVP, Head of Commercial Banking of Columbia Bank in January 2021. Prior to joining Columbia Bank. Mr. Lewis served as an Executive Director for JPMorgan Chase from 2011 to March 2019, where he was a Commercial Bank Market Executive for Chase’s Commercial Bank Office in Central New Jersey and had direct responsibility for a team of bankers and associates with annual review of approximately $30 million. Mr. Lewis served in various other capacities with JPMorgan Chase from 1998 to 2011 and also served as an Assistant Vice President, Treasury Management with PNC Bank from 1994 to 1998. From 1987 to 1992, Mr. Lewis served as a Financial Services Officer in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Captain. Mr. Lewis holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Manesh Prabhu, Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer

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Manesh Prabhu was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Columbia Bank in October 2022.  In this role, Mr. Prabhu is responsible for Columbia Bank’s information systems and digital banking.  Mr. Prabhu has over 20 years of experience at leading institutions including People’s United Bank N.A. Most recently, he held the title of Chief Technology Officer where he led the IT strategy and technology transformation for People’s United. Through his nearly 20-year tenure and senior leadership roles at People’s United, Mr. Prabhu led enterprise architecture, data architecture, IT governance, business intelligence, marketing analytics, and data quality with a heavy focus on digital transformation.  Mr. Prabhu holds an MBA from Thiagarajar School of Management (TSM) – Madurai Kamaraj University in India and a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RIT) - Mahatma Gandhi University in India.

Matthew W. Rickert, Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

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Matthew W. Rickert was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer of Columbia Bank in September 2022.  In this role, Mr. Rickert is responsible for Columbia Bank’s credit organization, including all aspects of consumer and commercial credit, special assets, and credit policy.  Mr. Rickert has over 20 years of diversified experience at financial institutions.  Prior to joining Columbia Bank, he was at JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) serving most recently as Market Executive for Middle Market Banking and Specialized Industries (MMBSI) at JPMC where he oversaw all facets of the portfolio, including sales and client profitability in New Jersey.  Previously, Mr. Rickert served as Credit Risk Director at JPMC where he managed the credit, counterparty, and market risk undertaken by the firm. Prior to that, he held banking and credit roles at Wells Fargo and HSBC.  Mr. Rickert holds a Master of Business Administration from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and History from The Pennsylvania State University.

Mayra L. Rinaldi , Executive Vice President, Corporate Governance and Culture

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Mayra L. Rinaldi was appointed Executive Vice President, Corporate Governance and Culture of Columbia Financial, Inc. and Columbia Bank in December 2022.  In this role, Mrs. Rinaldi is responsible for overseeing the Corporate Governance, Executive Administration, Community Development and Corporate Facilities departments of the Company and the Bank.  She is also responsible for the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory and SEC compliance requirements, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, which includes monitoring the effectiveness of the Bank’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as community support initiatives consisting of Team Columbia, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) outreach and the Columbia Bank Foundation. Mrs. Rinaldi is also responsible for providing executive oversight and monitoring of the Company’s and the Bank’s culture to ensure that it remains aligned with Columbia’s Creed of Shared Values, which is designed to ensure that all policies, products, and services, and actions throughout the Company and Bank allow team members to always act in the best interests of customers, coworkers, communities and shareholders.  Mrs. Rinaldi has over 20 years of experience at the Bank, having joined the Bank in 2000 and serving in various roles since that time.  Most recently, Mrs. Rinaldi has served as the Bank’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Governance since 2014.  Mrs. Rinaldi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Kean University and is a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking.

Allyson Schlesinger, Executive Vice President and Head Of Consumer Banking

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Ms. Schlesinger was appointed as Executive Vice President, Head of Consumer Banking in September of 2018. Ms. Schlesinger was previously with Citigroup, Inc. for 25 years, most recently as its Managing Director, U.S. Retail and Division Manager for Citi's New York City and New Jersey markets.

Presently, Ms. Schlesinger serves on both the corporate Advisory Board YWCA for the Boys and Girls Club of New Jersey as well as Seton Hall’s Customer Experience Program Advisory Board.

Ms. Schlesinger holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan.

Jenifer W. Walden, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

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Jenifer W. Walden joined the Company and the Bank in June 2022 and will succeed Geri M. Kelly as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company and the Bank upon Ms. Kelly’s retirement in September 2022.  Prior to joining the Company and the Bank, Ms. Walden has spent more than two decades at Fortune 50 financial services institutions, and more recently, three smaller entities including a mid-cap bank, a technology start-up, and a global manufacturing company.  From 2021 until June 2022, Ms. Walden served as the Global Director of Talent Management, Human Resources, at Nice-Pak Products. 

Prior to that time, Ms. Walden was Senior Vice President, Human Resources, at USEReady from 2020 to 2021 and was Director of Talent, First Senior Vice President at Valley Bank from 2018 to 2020.  Ms. Walden also served as Senior HR Business Partner and IT Recruitment Leader (Prudential Insurance & Annuities) for Prudential Financial from 2013 to 2018, and as Director of Human Resources (Prudential Real Estate Investors, PGIM) for Prudential Financial from 2010 to 2013.  Prior to that, Ms. Walden served in various positions with Ernst & Young LLP from 1999 to 2010. 

Ms. Walden is a doctoral candidate in strategic leadership at Liberty University and holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development & Leadership from St. Joseph’s University and a Bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University.

Board of Directors

Noel R. Holland, Chairman Of The Board

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Mr. Holland served as a partner in the law firm of Andersen & Holland, located in Midland Park, New Jersey, from January 1976 until his retirement in March 2017. Mr. Holland’s expertise as a partner in a law firm and his involvement in business and civic organizations in the communities Columbia Bank serves provide the board of directors with valuable insight. Mr. Holland’s years of providing legal counsel and operating a law office position him well to continue to serve as a director of a public company.

Thomas J. Kemly

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Thomas J. Kemly was appointed President and CEO of Columbia Bank in 2012. He has since led the Bank on a steady growth trajectory by spearheading organic growth, Columbia Financial, Inc.’s IPO and strategic acquisitions. With over 40 years of experience, Mr. Kemly has been an active and influential figure in banking. Most recently, Kemly was elected to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Board of Directors and was named to the Power 100 List by NJBIZ, a statewide business publication. Throughout his career he has worked to advance housing opportunities for families of all incomes, accelerate local community development and increase charitable giving efforts. Kemly pioneered the Bank’s “Team Columbia” initiatives, where the Bank encourages employees to volunteer at local organizations and participate in meaningful community events. In conjunction with Columbia Bank’s IPO in 2018, he grew the Columbia Bank Foundation to one of the largest private giving Foundations in the state of New Jersey.

Kemly began his Columbia Bank career in 1981 and has held a number of positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, before becoming President of the Bank.

James M. Kuiken

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Mr. Kuiken has served as the Director of Operations of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., a company that develops, manufactures and supplies diagnostic and blood screening test products, since April 2014. Prior to that time, Mr. Kuiken served in various other capacities at Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

Mr. Kuiken’s extensive experience with respect to operational matters at a large multinational corporation will provide the Board of Directors with valuable insight into the operational and business needs of the Company and the Bank.

Michael Massood, Jr.

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Mr. Massood has served as President of Massood & Company, P.A., CPAs, a certified public accounting firm, since 1981. As a certified professional accountant, Mr. Massood provides the board of directors with critical experience regarding accounting and financial matters. Mr. Massood’s extensive experience in the local banking industry and involvement in business and civic organizations in the communities Columbia Bank serves affords the board of directors valuable insight regarding the business and operation of Columbia Bank.

Elizabeth E. Randall

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Ms. Elizabeth E. Randall serves as a Commissioner of the Bergen County Improvement Authority and also currently serves as a member of the audit committee of the New Jersey Municipal Excess Liability Insurance Fund. From 2004 to 2006, Ms. Randall served on the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Prior to that, Ms. Randall served as the New Jersey Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. Ms. Randall also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bergen County YWCA. Ms. Randall’s service as an elected and appointed government official provides the board of directors with invaluable insight to the needs of the local communities that Columbia Bank serves.

Lucy Sorrentini

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Ms. Sorrentini has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Impact Consulting LLC, a consulting, coaching and training services company, since April 2015. From June 1998 through March 2015, Ms. Sorrentini served in various positions at Booz Allen Hamilton, including serving as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer from 2013 to 2015 and as Principal, Talent Acquisition & Resource Management from 2009 to 2013.

Ms. Sorrentini’s extensive experience with respect to human capital strategy, and human resources and diversity matters, will provide the Board of Directors with valuable insight into the operational and business needs of the Company and the Bank.

Daria S. Torres

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Ms. Torres is the founder and Managing Partner of Walls Torres Group, LLC, a strategic management consulting firm that works with leading corporations, non-profits and charitable organizations to grow and achieve their business objectives. Ms. Torres has more than 20 years of experience as a strategy consultant and advisor to CEOs, boards and executive teams.

Ms. Torres currently serves as an independent member of the board of directors of Human Resolution Technologies, a provider of remote patient monitoring solutions for adaptive, precision care at scale. She is the Board Chair of Giving Cycle, a Board Advisor to the Wharton Black MBA Alumni Association, and a former Alumni Trustee of the University of Virginia IDEA Fund. She is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, the University of Virginia Alumni Association, Mensa International, National Black MBA Association and the National Society of Black Engineers. Her vast knowledge and experience as an executive-level strategist and advisor will be a valuable asset to our leadership and complement the Board’s existing mix of skills and experience.

Robert Van Dyk

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Mr. Van Dyk has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Dyk Health Care, a health care services company, since July 1994 and the President and Chief Executive Officer of two other hospitals since 1980. He serves on many charitable and civic organizations, including colleges, universities, hospitals, religious organizations and foundations within the communities that Columbia Bank serves. In addition, Mr. Van Dyk has been actively involved in Washington, DC for the past 20 years, where he served as chairman of two separate national health care organizations. Mr. Van Dyk’s strong business background, as well as his experience and expertise with respect to regulated industries, provides the board of directors with invaluable insight to the needs of the local communities that Columbia Bank serves.

Paul Van Ostenbridge

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Mr. Van Ostenbridge served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stewardship Financial Corporation and Atlantic Stewardship Bank from September 1984 until November 2019, when the corporation merged with Columbia Bank. He was instrumental in designing the former bank’s product and service portfolio, while serving on several committees across the business. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors at New Jersey Bankers and currently maintains involvement in several business and charitable organizations. Mr. Van Ostenbridge’s extensive banking experience within Columbia Bank’s New Jersey markets will help support the bank’s future expansion and community support initiatives.

Committee Composition