WESTERLY – The second-in-command for The Washington Trust Co. is stepping down, paving the way for the company’s first woman president to fill his shoes.
President and Chief Operating Officer Mark W. Gim will retire in April, the company’s board of directors announced on Thursday. Mary E. Noons, who serves as senior executive vice president and chief retail lending officer, has been appointed to fill the leadership position after Gim retires, making her the company’s first woman president in its 222-year history, according to a press release.
Gim steps down after nearly three decades as a senior leader for Washington Trust Co. and its parent company, Washington Trust Bancorp Inc. Having been elected to the board of directors, he will continue to serve on the board after his retirement, pending reelection by shareholders.
“During his tenure, Mark guided our strategic planning process and oversaw the successful growth and regional expansion of our retail, wealth management and mortgage divisions,” Edward O. “Ned” Handy III, Washington Trust chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “It has truly been a pleasure to work with him over the years and I look forward to his continued guidance as a member of our Board.”
Handy also praised Noons for her contributions to the company’s growth, including record mortgage origination and revenue growth.
“Mary is a proven leader and a strategic thinker with a passion for service excellence, process improvement, operational efficiency, and enhancing the customer experience,” Handy said.
The company will conduct an executive search to fill the chief retail lending officer job left vacant by Noon’s promotion.
Washington Trust Co. has the third-largest share of in-market deposits in Rhode Island – $4.9 billion – as of June 30, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Lavin@PBN.com.
