LELAND R. MERRILL, chief operating officer for BankNewport, says the Middletown-based bank has grown its commercial loan portfolio from $440 million to more than $800 million in the past five years. / COURTESY BANKNEWPORT
Leland R. Merrill is executive vice president and chief operating officer for BankNewport. He is responsible for planning, organizing and controlling the bank's operational activities. He also serves as the Middletown-based bank’s chief lending officer. He joined BankNewport in 2004. During his tenure, he has led several strategic and operational initiatives, including the growth and…