“We are pleased to welcome these four individuals to Jewett City Savings Bank as our newest corporators,” said Merchant. “They have an important role to play as an added resource for our management team, and as ambassadors of the Bank out in the community, where they are all very active, well-known and highly respected.”

Shown from left to right are: Lionel P. LaSalle, II, Don Kyle Collins, Jr., Jeffrey A. Rawson and Bruce W. Dexter, II

Jeffrey A. Rawson

Rawson is the president of Rawson Materials and a partner of River Junction Estates. His professional affiliations include memberships in the Society of Human Resource Management and the Northeast Connecticut Human Resources Association. He is also a member and director of the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, and a member, nominating committee chairman, and executive committee member of the Putnam Business Association.

Active in the community, Rawson is vice president of the board of directors of The Arc of Quinebaug Valley, Inc., and a member and former director of the Putnam Rotary Club. He serves on the board and several committees of the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation, and is a corporator of Day Kimball Hospital. He is also a member of the board of Northeast Opportunities in Wellness, and serves on its executive committee, public relations and marketing committees, and is the chairman of the nominating committee.

Rawson has received numerous business and community service awards from several organizations including the Putnam Business Association, the Putnam Rotary Club, and The Arc of Quinebaug Valley. He was also a 2010 finalist of the Hartford Business Journal’s Nonprofit Heroes Volunteer of the Year Award.

Bruce W. Dexter, II

Dexter, president of B. W. Dexter II, Inc. in Danielson, has 27 years of experience in commercial masonry, including 24 years of business ownership along with responsibilities of project management, accounting, supervision, project estimating, administration, and purchasing.

His professional affiliations include the Mason Contractors Association of Connecticut, for which he serves as a director; the Mason Contractors Association of America; and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. He is also a member of the board of the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut and the Connecticut Construction Industry Association. He is on the regional and national boards of trustees of the International Masonry Institute, and is a national board member of the International Coalition of Employers. He serves as a trustee of the JATC for BAC Local 1 Connecticut and of the JATC for LIUNA New England Region. He is a member of the Putnam Business Association and the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

Dexter is the recipient of numerous industry and business awards, including the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award. He is also well known for his company’s commitment and contributions to the Extreme Home Makeover home that was recently constructed in Voluntown.

Don Kyle Collins, Jr.

Collins has served the Town of Plainfield since 1995 in positions including director of community development, assistant building official, and Internet technology administrator. He has also served as the town’s grant writer/administrator and its civil rights compliance officer. Collins has been a member of the Plainfield Democratic Town Committee since 1996. He is also the building official for the Town of Sterling, and has extensive experience in management, supervision, construction, and carpentry.

In the community, Collins serves as the military funeral bugler for the American Legion Post 91/Amvets Post 47, and serves as a director of the American Legion Ambulance Fund. He is a former director of the Moosup Little League, and has served as its town liaison, a team coach, and league umpire. He is a former board member and coach of Plainfield’s recreation basketball program, as well as an American Legion baseball coach. He is also well-known in the community for his participation as a member of the Great Garage Band Reunion and its numerous performances to benefit worthy organizations across communities that constitute the Bank’s market area.

Lionel P. LaSalle, II

A self-employed CPA in Jewett City since 2004, LaSalle’s previous business experience includes service as a staff accountant and auditor for Marien & Co., in Norwich, accounting manager for the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn, and finance director for the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA in Westerly, RI. He has been a registered Certified Public Accountant since 2003.

He serves as a member of the auction committee for the Annual Peniel Charity Auction in Norwich, an event benefiting needy children and families of the Greenville section of Norwich.

The Bank provided $10,000 in funding in June 2010 to help kick off the initial fundraising effort for the project. According to Merchant, an additional $10,000 has been pledged over the next two years. In addition, the Bank has been selected as the depository for the fundraising campaign, which hopes to raise $760,000. According to Avery Tillinghast, fundraising campaign counsel, over $240,000 has been raised to date.

The conversion of the upper floors of the historical 19th century American Legion building on S. Main Street into up to 18 apartments is expected to cost upwards of $5 million, according to published reports. Primary financing for the project will come from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development. The project is expected to be completed by March 2012.

“There is no question in our minds that this is a worthy project,” said Louis J. Demicco, chairman of the Board of Jewett City Savings Bank. “It acknowledges the sacrifices made on our behalf by those who have served our country, and who now need our help.”

Donations to the fundraising campaign can be sent to TALVHI (The American Legion Veterans Housing Inc.) Project, c/o Jewett City Savings Bank, PO Box 335, Jewett City, CT 06351.

HOMECOMING – The American Legion LaFlamme-Kusek Post No. 15 building on S. Main Street in Jewett City will be transformed into housing for homeless veterans, with help from Jewett City Savings Bank.

“The staff and management of Jewett City Savings Bank should be very proud to work for such a strong financial institution,” notes Karen L. Dorway, president of the research firm. “Often the general public does not know the financial strengths or weaknesses of their bank, so BauerFinancial’s highest rating helps to assure customers and the community that they are dealing with a strong financial institution that will be able to fulfill their banking needs for years to come.”

Jewett City Savings Bank was established in 1873 and has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 137 years. It operates through conveniently located offices in Brooklyn, Central Village, Dayville, Jewett City and Preston and can be found on the internet at www.jcsbank.com.

Jewett City Savings Bank: “Your 5-Star Community Bank.”

BauerFinancial, Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays BauerFinancial to rate it, nor can any choose to be excluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.

Also earns national 5-Star Superior rating

Jewett City Savings Bank is celebrating its selection as one of Connecticut’s top community banks, and also its 73rd consecutive quarterly 5-Star Superior Rating for Financial Strength at the national level.

The Bank was among the top favorites in The Commercial Record’s 2010 “Best of” readership poll in the Community Bank category, winning the Silver Award for the second consecutive year. The Commercial Record is a publication for senior executives in the real estate, banking, and mortgage industries in Connecticut.

Jewett City Savings Bank also recently received the 5-Star Superior Rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial, Inc., a national rating firm. The 5-Star rating is the highest attainable from BauerFinancial, and is based on the overall financial condition of the Bank. It denotes that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation.

“Both of these honors are significant for Jewett City Savings Bank,” said

Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO. “They reflect not only the loyalty of our customers but also our high standing in the industry. We believe that one leads to the other, and we are proud of our success in both areas.

“Our customers have reason to be proud, too,” Merchant added. “That’s what true hometown banking is all about.”