PBN Leaders & Achievers Awards 2025
KEN BURNETT
Centreville Bank Senior vice president and commercial team leader
KEN BURNETT ALWAYS KNEW he wanted a career that combined working with numbers and people.
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Initially, he considered becoming a certified public accountant. However, he envisioned the role as mostly solitary and desk-bound, two things that didn’t align with his personality.
Instead, Burnett’s career in financial services led him to banking – now at Centreville Bank as its senior vice president and commercial team leader. He says banking is a field that allows him to use his accounting skills while engaging with others daily.
“It’s a dynamic role that requires both financial acumen and strong interpersonal skills to craft the right solutions for clients and the bank,” Burnett said.
Interacting with all levels within the West Warwick-based bank, Burnett is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives yielding increased sales, revenue and cross-sales. Along with originating greater than $130 million in new loan production from March 2022 through May 2025, Burnett has overseen more than $560 million in commercial loan originations, led award-winning U.S. Small Business Administration 504 lending initiatives and serves on the bank’s strategic planning team. He also pioneered Centreville’s first renewable energy lending program, leading to more than $60 million in solar and wind project financing.
Plus, Burnett regularly coaches and mentors his staff, something he says has been the most important and rewarding part of his career.
“Witnessing that growth firsthand, and seeing a teammate develop, is incredibly fulfilling and reinforces my commitment to this lifelong pursuit,” he said. “By equipping these bankers with new skills, I’ve helped advance their careers.”
Burnett hopes he can serve as an example to entry-level bankers, showing them that success, however it’s defined, can be achieved through a detailed plan, hard work and sustained dedication.
“There is always work to be done and there is always a better way to do it,” Burnett said. “I strive to be the best at what I do, and I aim to inspire that same drive in every member of my team, consistently exceeding client expectations and delivering outstanding results.”
