Torrington Savings Bank appoints Lesa A. Vanotti as New President & COO

TORRINGTON, CT – Torrington Savings Bank has announced the appointment of Lesa A. Vanotti as the institution’s new President & COO. She will be the 14th president in the Bank’s 150 year history.

The announcement comes as part of a 9-month transition plan that will see John E. Janco, Sr., who has been President & CEO since 2014, retire as CEO as of September 30, 2020, with Vanotti becoming the President & CEO on October 1, 2020.

“After 46 years at Torrington Savings Bank, John Janco earned the utmost respect of our employees, Corporators, and Trustees; the residents of the greater Torrington area; and fellow bankers”, stated Chip Booth, Chairman of TSB’s Board of Trustees. “His integrity and work ethic are second to none. As CFO and President & CEO, John helped navigate the Bank through years of a tough rate environment, and the Bank remains strong and well capitalized. His daily presence and knowledge will be greatly missed after his retirement.”

The Board of Trustees of Torrington Savings Bank began its search for a successor earlier this year upon the retirement decision by Mr. Janco. Booth noted, “after a comprehensive CEO search process, we are pleased our only internal candidate, Lesa Vanotti, rose to the top of the field. Her accounting background and her last six years as CFO helped groom her skills in many different areas of the Bank. As a seasoned Trustee, it is very gratifying to watch an employee grow and excel over the years. The Trustees look forward to working with Lesa to write the next chapter of Torrington Savings Bank history.”

Vanotti, who most recently held the role of Senior Vice President, Treasurer & CFO, joined Torrington Savings Bank as an Accounting Assistant in 1996. During her tenure she’s held titles of Accounting Officer, Assistant Treasurer, and Vice President & Controller. She is a graduate of Torrington High School and Post College and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Connecticut.

Janco stated, “I am pleased that our Board has selected Lesa to be our next President & CEO. Over the past 5 years she has worked closely with me, progressively assuming greater responsibility at the Bank. Her work ethic is exceptional. She is well positioned to assure our continued success in an ever-changing banking environment”.

Vanotti states,” I am honored by the Board of Trustees’ vote of confidence in selecting me as John’s successor. His long-term commitment to the Bank and the greater Torrington community sets a high standard to follow. I look forward to working with the Board and the Bank employees to continue the important mission of service to our customers and our community.”

Vanotti is a Torrington native who is active in the community. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Torrington Library and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington. She has served as a member of the St. Peter’s School Board & Finance Committee, Asst. Treasurer of the United Way Board of Directors and Secretary & Treasurer of the Women & Girls Fund of Northwest Community Foundation. Lesa is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and the Financial Manager’s Society and is actively involved in the Connecticut Bankers Association School of Finance & Management.

She currently resides in Torrington with her husband, Tom. They have two grown children, Justin and Morgan.

Posted on: Wednesday November 20, 2019