Thomas Kemly, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Bank Named Successor to Raymond Hallock, President & CEO

FAIR LAWN, N.J., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank is pleased to announce that Thomas J. Kemly has been named successor to Raymond G. Hallock, President & CEO, who officially retires on December 31, 2011 following a 33-year Columbia Bank career.  Mr. Hallock will remain a member of Columbia's Board of Directors.  Mr. Kemly will begin his leadership on January 1, 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110914/NY68448 )

"We look forward to a smooth transition," said Noel R. Holland, Chairman of the Board.  "As a long time Columbia Bank employee, Tom really knows our business, our corporate culture and our customer service commitment.  He also strongly believes in local community banking."

Mr. Kemly joined Columbia in 1981 as a Management Trainee.  Upon completion of the bank's Management Training Program, he was promoted to Accounting Supervisor.  In 1986, he was promoted to Assistant Controller; was named Controller in 1986, and was appointed Vice President, Controller in 1988.  He was appointed Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in 1992 and was appointed Senior Vice President a year later.  In 2001, Mr. Kemly was appointed Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2006.

A well-known figure in banking, business and community affairs, Mr. Kemly actively serves local and charitable causes, including as a Financial Investment Committee member at the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, as Treasurer of the Ramapo High School Athletic Booster Association, as a Board Member of the Columbia Bank Foundation, and as a coach in various sports with the Franklin Lakes recreation program.  Mr. Kemly is also a former member of the Financial Institutions Accounting Committee (FIAC), a former Committee Chairman and Scout Master of the Franklin Lakes Cub Scouts and a Past President of the Financial Managers Society.

Mr. Kemly earned a Masters of Business Administration from Fordham University and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Business Administration and Psychology from Trenton State College.  He resides in Franklin Lakes with his family.

About Columbia Bank

Headquartered in Fair Lawn, NJ, Columbia Bank has an asset base of approximately $4.6 billion and 44 full-service offices throughout New Jersey.  Columbia Bank offers a wide range of consumer and commercial products, including online and mobile banking, localized lending centers as well as investment and wealth management services.  For more information about Columbia Bank's full line of products and services, visit their website at columbiabankonline.com.

SOURCE Columbia Bank