GRB - Key Persons
Alex is devoted to his clients and what it takes to help them achieve their dream of purchasing a home. With GRB's vast selection of financing options, he helps each client to achieve their financing goals. His seamless process and experienced team of real estate professionals and attorneys help him go above and beyond for his customers.
As a native Victor resident, Alex enjoys being involved in his community. He enjoys spending his free time participating in outdoor activities and local events. As a member of the Victor-Farmington Kiwanis Club, he enjoys helping others and giving back to the community. His professionalism and passion to help others is the cornerstone to Alex's success.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Executive Vice President
Having joined the GRB team in 2007, Allana is responsible for the bank's operations. Additionally, she oversees IT, Human Resources, Project Management, Risk Management and Marketing. She brings more than 20 years of banking experience to the job, most recently spending 10 years prior to GRB at local regional bank managing the Cash Management sales team throughout Central New York. Allana was selected as a Women of Excellence award recipient in 2019 and also helped co-found the Women@GRB education and development group at the bank.
Allana graduated from the John Wiley School of Business at SUNY Geneseo, and earned the Certified Treasury Professional designation in 1999. She keeps busy with her husband and two sons, and enjoys cooking, traveling, yoga, and volleyball.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP
Anthony Cotroneo is a partner in the Business Finance Department; the Private Equity Practice Group; the Franchising; Distribution and Dealership Practice Group; and the Construction Law Practice Group. His business law practice includes mergers, acquisitions, sales, and spin offs. Mr. Cotroneo is the chair of the firm's Private Equity Practice Group, where he represents Private Equity Firms, Angel Investors, and Issuers in Private Equity transactions, including assisting in defining the rights and preferences of securities, developing capital structures and deal structures for start-up and growth stage companies. As the chair of the firm's Franchising Distribution and Dealership Practice Group, Mr. Cotroneo has assisted Franchisors and Franchisees in the preparation and review of Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars (UFOC) and Franchise Agreements. He also provides counsel to regional and national Distributors and Dealers in all activities, including preparing agreements and implementing dealer and distributor systems. Mr. Cotroneo's construction law practice includes representing owners, construction managers, general contractors and sub-contractors in all aspects of construction matters. Mr. Cotroneo is a member of the Board of the Rochester Italian Heritage Foundation, Empire State Lyric Theatre, the Rochester Business Alliance and is a Board member and Past President of the Small Business Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance.
Everyday Bonnie helps buyers make their dream of home ownership a reality. Developing relationships and educating clients is her strong suit. Whether buying your first home, vacation property or a home that's been in your family for many years, Bonnie is there every step of the way. From qualifying to application and on through until you get the keys to your new home, Bonnie guides her clients with a friendly smile and solid counsel. Her strong foundation of more than 30 years in retail banking gives Bonnie a sound understanding of your financial needs in order to find the best mortgage solution in any situation.
Proficient in a variety of loan programs, Bonnie has additional expertise with USDA and FHA programs. She also has many years of experience with First Home Club, Homebuyer Dream Program and other grant programs available to the first-time buyer.
Bonnie, a native of the Hilton area of Rochester, has strong ties to the community, volunteers for a variety of charities and is a member of the Hilton Rotary Club. In her spare time she enjoys reading and cooking. Bonnie resides in Greece with her husband, two boys and her basset hound named Cooper.
Catherine was born and raised in Auburn, NY where she currently resides. After college, she worked for various mortgage companies in Long Island, learning both the operations and sales sides of the business. Moving back to Auburn to raise her two boys, Catherine held the position of Vice President of Retail Lending for a small local bank before accepting the position with Genesee Regional Bank.
In her more than 20-year career in the mortgage business, Catherine has gained an understanding of the mortgage process from beginning to end. She knows the critical nature of good communication and top-notch customer service from first meeting to closing.
Catherine prides herself in finding the best mortgage product for her clients, carefully assessing their situation, actively listening, and providing honest feedback. It is important to her to help every customer find a solution that fits their financial goals.
Catherine has experience working with customers at all stages of the home buying process - from buying a first home to looking for a home to enjoy retirement. Her easy-going and friendly nature makes her a pleasure to talk to and encourages an open dialog that makes it comfortable to ask questions. She works with you as part of your team and stands by you throughout the application and approval process.
Catherine has a strong connection with her community and family. When she isn't working, she spends time with her family and friends. Catherine also loves to travel, especially to Italy to visit her family.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Fulton, Friedman & Gullace, LLP
A founding partner in Genesee Regional Bank, Dan Gullace has enjoyed a successful legal career. Before his partnership at Fulton, Friedman & Gullace, he retired as a partner at Gullace & Weld LLP.
Co-founded by Dan Hogan, Crane-Hogan specializes in new construction and rehabilitation of highways, bridges, parking garages, dams, buildings and both sewer and water treatment plants. Recent projects include Frontier Field Stadium, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, the Irondequoit Bay Swing Bridge, the rebuilding of the Bay Bridge over Irondequoit Bay, and work on the Veteran's Memorial Bridge and the O'Rorke Bridge over the Genesee River. Mr. Hogan is on the Board of Directors of UNICON, Genesee Transportation Council, Monroe County Empire Zone, American Rock Salt Corporation, and The Hughes Corporation. Additionally, he serves as a member of the SUNY Brockport College Council and is a trustee for the Rochester Laborers Welfare & Pension Fund.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor / Rochester Institute of Technology
- Assistant Professor of Accounting
Dan Tessoni is an assistant professor of Accounting in the Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology and a CPA. He received his Ph.D. in Accounting from Syracuse University, a MS from Clarkson and a bachelor's degree from St. John Fisher College. He has presented seminars and executive programs on accounting and finance related issues to numerous companies including Constellation Brands, ITT Industries Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, Chase Manhattan Bank, First Empire Bank and Apple Computer. Dr. Tessoni has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of ACC Corp., a publicly- held long distance and cellular telephone company from 1987 until 1998 when the company was purchased by AT&T, and as chairman of the Audit Committee, and as a member of the Compensation Committee and the Executive Committee and several special committees. Serving on the boards of several privately held corporations, his research interests are in the areas of agency theory and positive accounting theory.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Chairman of Genesee Regional Bank
Mr. Saunders is the founder of a number of notable companies including Genesee Regional Bank, Truck Stops of America, Griffith Energy, Travel Centers of America and Sugar Creek Corporation. In addition, Mr. Saunders is an owner of Essex Property Management, a company responsible for commercial properties. Other significant ownership interests include Valley Fuels, Bristol Harbour Resort, Sugar Creek Farms, Western New York Energy and American Rock Salt.
Mr. Saunders serves as Chairman of Genesee Regional Bank and Valley Fuels as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Paul Smith's College. Mr. Saunders also serves on the Board of Directors of American Rock Salt, Buckingham Properties, Lewis Tree, Passero Associates, NYS Trooper Foundation, Torvec Inc., Rochester Institute of Technology, Western New York Energy, and Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Mr. Saunders was formerly the Executive Vice President and Director of Ryder Systems, Owner/CEO of Econo-car International, and Owner/CEO of Richardson Foods Corporation.
In addition to his current board service, Mr. Saunders has formerly served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Fleet Bank, Genesee Valley Trust Company, Hahn Automotive, Excellus of New York, Ryder Systems, National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), Rochester General Hospital and Roswell Park.
Mr. Saunders is a past inductee of the Rochester Business Hall of Fame and is a recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science from Paul Smith's College. He is also a member of the Livonia Central School Athletic Hall of Fame and the National Association of Travel Centers Hall of Fame.
Job Titles:
- Co - President / Hahn Automotive Warehouse, Inc
- Co - President of Hahn Automotive
Eli Futerman is Co-president of Hahn Automotive, a leading regional distributor of auto parts to more than 1,400 independent and company-owned jobbers along the Eastern Seaboard and in the Midwest. He is the Chairman of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., and also serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center and Odyssey Software, Inc. Mr. Futerman is the Chairman of the Financial Resource Development Committee of the Rochester United Jewish Communities Campaign, and a Vice President and sits on the Board of Directors of the Rochester Jewish Community Federation. Along with his co-president, Daniel Chessin, Mr. Futerman was named 2010 Business Person of the Year by the Rochester Small Business Council.
Gary Schwingel joined Genesee Regional Bank in 2004 after building a successful career in banking and finance. He served as GRB's Chief Financial Officer overseeing portfolio management, budgeting, financial management, risk management and human resources until retiring and joining the Board of Directors in 2020. During his tenure at GRB, Gary's strategic thinking helped grow GRB's asset size from $50 million to $715 million. His efforts contributed to the bank being named to the "Rochester Top 100" and "Best Companies to Work for in New York" lists year after year. In 2009, Gary was recognized for his financial acumen and involvement in the Rochester community when he was named "Financial Executive of the Year" in the small private company category by the Rochester Business Journal. Gary is a graduate of RIT's E. Philip Saunders College of Business, where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor. Gary also is a member of the business school's Finance Advisory Board. He remains active in the local community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mary Cariola Children's Center.
With years of experience in the financial services industry and a background in personal finance, Joe brings an array of qualities to the mortgage process that help his clients easily understand the complex home buying and mortgage process.
Joe was born and raised in the Rochester area and received his MBA with a concentration in management from St. John Fisher College. This gives him an insider's appreciation for the Rochester area and its residents.
Joe is a firm believer in building relationships on the basis of trust. In 2010, he founded a professional networking group, Rochester Business Now (RBN). With this organization, Joe is able to help his clients far beyond the scope of mortgage. Through RBN, he has a wealth of resources he can turn to for ancillary services. Additionally, Joe donates his time and expertise as a member of the Salvation Army Finance Committee.
As Vice President of the Italian American Business Network and a delegate for the Italian Civic League, Joe has put an emphasis on the involvement of young professionals in the Rochester area.
At GRB, Joe has direct access to resources, support, a high level of technology, and multiple financing options for his customers. He stands ready to assist you or anyone you refer to him. Joe's greatest joy is his ability to help individuals and families reach their financial goals.
John DiSanto has been a mortgage professional for over 30 years. His background as a mortgage originator, correspondent lending representative and sales manager have enabled John to develop the knowledge and understanding necessary to provide the highest quality service. He realizes that mortgage financing is one of the most important financial decisions many people have. Making sure borrowers know exactly what is involved in the mortgage process as well as providing accurate information and realistic expectations is at the center of his customer care philosophy.
John has been recognized for numerous production awards through the years including a six time Chase Leaders Club recipient and was recognized in 2012 by the State of New York Mortgage Agency as one of their top producers. He has shown the ability to manage large volumes with a production level high of 232 loans in a year. He counts many Realtors, attorneys and financial professionals as associates.
With a dedication to meeting every borrower's need, you can rest assure that John's experience and approach will work in your best interest. You will always be informed and guided through the process. Whether you are a 1 st time home buyer, inquiring about mortgage options or have unique circumstances, you can count on John to provide the best possible mortgage solution.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Originator, Rochester
John Milano's approach to mortgage lending: honesty, integrity and the absolute pursuit of educating each and every one of his mortgage customers. With over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry, John knows that in order to offer prudent lending advice there must be a mix of personal and financial goals reviewed with every client.
John takes the time necessary to compare your finances, life goals and real estate needs in order to find the right mortgage product for your unique financial situation. John's experienced support staff at GRB is as dedicated as he is, all working toward the common goal of making your dream of homeownership a reality. Whether buying or refinancing, John's capabilities with a full-service community lender like GRB will serve you well.
Julie start in the banking business right out of high school in 1979 and has worked in the mortgage field for the past 40 years. She is very experienced as a mortgage originator, providing her customers with the knowledge they need to become home owners. She is the GRB mortgage originator for all of upstate New York, including Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. She has a tremendous amount of experience with VA lending and refinancing, as well as vacation home lending.
She has two step-children, and two step-grandchildren who live in the Albany area. She was recently widowed after being married for twenty years.
Job Titles:
- Retail Relationship Manager, Rochester
Laura has been in the banking industry for over 25 years. She started as a bank teller and moved to mortgage processing, but her true passion is working with people and originating mortgages.
With a strong emphasis on homebuyer education, she prides herself on her extensive knowledge of the mortgage industry, and she enjoys sharing that knowledge with her customers. Whether first time buyers or purchasing another vacation home, Laura enjoys educating her customers so they feel comfortable moving forward with one of the biggest financial transactions of their lives. Laura works closely with her customers from the initial conversation until closing, maintaining constant communication throughout the mortgage process.
As an Affinity Banking Specialist, Laura has a strong understanding of mortgage, home equity, checking, savings and consumer loan products. She works closely with Genesee Regional Bank's customers to provide a remarkable client experience.
She is an expert in first time homebuyer mortgages and grants, including First Home Club, the City of Rochester grants, and the County of Monroe grants. She has been a long time partner of many local housing agencies, including Neighborworks of Rochester, The Housing Council at Pathstone, and many local real estate agencies and real estate law firms.
Laura is a Rochester native, and a graduate of East High School, Monroe Community College, and SUNY Brockport. She lives in Fairport and enjoys being active with her husband, two daughters, and puppy. She is a proud volunteer with Fairport Soccer and with Girls on the Run.
Born and raised in Rochester and having attended Cornell University, Melissa has always felt a strong connection to Upstate New York. After spending her post-college career as a Mortgage Trader on Wall Street, she returned to her roots and established herself in Rochester as a Loan Officer. Since returning to the Rochester area, she has taken great joy in growing our local community by helping her clients settle into homes in the "ROC."
Melissa understands that not everyone loves math as much as she does, so her main objective is for every homebuyer to feel comfortable with the numbers before they embark on their financing journey. She takes pride in helping her clients to breeze through the mortgage process, from their initial budget conversation to the day they receive the keys to their new home. She is extremely thorough and will take extra time to make sure her clients are informed throughout the process, making herself available on nights and weekends for any questions that arise.
As a working mother of two girls, Melissa realized the need to add another woman to her village who could help her continue to provide round-the-clock coverage to her customers and referral partners. With years of processing experience under her belt, Stephanie DeFazio was the natural perfect fit. Her incredible work ethic and exceptional customer service skills made Steph the perfect person to take on the role of Loan Officer within The Powers Team, and the pair functions as seamlessly as wine and cheese.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Residential Mortgage Manager
Mike joined GRB in 2014. He brings more than 30 years of mortgage banking experience at the sales- and executive-level to his role managing GRB's growing mortgage sales team. Under Mike's management, GRB has become one of the top purchase-money lenders in the area and was recently named one of the Best Refinance Companies in Rochester by Expertise.com. In 2022 Mike received his Residential Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). There are fewer than 1,500 CMB-certified mortgage professionals throughout the U.S.
A graduate of St. John Fisher College, Mike is involved in local chapters of the Mortgage Bankers Association, the American Cancer Society, and the United Way. He also serves as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for the New York Chapter of the MBA.
Michelle Paroda joined Ramsey Constructors in 2002. She previously was Vice President of Customer Service at Frontier Communications and Senior Vice President at Choice One Communications. Together with her brother, Ms. Paroda also invests in commercial real estate in Dansville, NY. Ms. Paroda serves on the Board of Directors of UNICON.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Vice President
- Member of the Finance Managers Society
Nick joined GRB in 2014 and is responsible for the bank's accounting and financial reporting, budgeting, and financial management strategies.
A Rochester native, Nick graduated from The Aquinas Institute of Rochester before earning a Bachelor's of Business Administration in the field of Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. He is a Certified Public Accountant and spent nine years in an audit role at The Bonadio Group before joining GRB. Nick also graduated from the American Banking Association's Stonier Graduate School of Banking through the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2021, Nick was elected as a member of the Rochester Business Journal "Forty Under 40," recognizing the region's next generation of community leaders.
Nick is a member of the Finance Managers Society and serves as Treasurer on The Aquinas Institute Board of Trustees. He's been a volunteer with the annual Base Ball program at the Genesee Country Village & Museum for more than 19 years.
With 12 years of experience in mortgage closing, underwriting and analysis, Patrick brings knowledge and experience to all aspects of the mortgage process. His clients directly benefit with loan programs specifically tailored to their individual circumstances. Patrick enjoys working one on one with individuals and families to find their dream home and the mortgage program that fits their financial needs best. He is excited to be affiliated with a bank where customers aren't just loan numbers but personal relationships. With his vast knowledge of the mortgage industry, Patrick smoothly guides his clients from application to closing and is committed to customer service, working tirelessly to ensure that every client's experience exceeds expectations.
Patrick grew up in Avon with the small town values of hard work and family. He is proud to be a St. John Fisher alum, where he was an all-conference performer. Patrick gives back to Fisher as an assistant baseball coach on their nationally ranked baseball team. Patrick and his wife, Kate, live in Mendon with their two daughters. They enjoy hiking in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region's many fantastic parks.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager
Paul has been working in the banking industry for over 20 years and joined the GRB team back in 2012. He currently serves as Genesee Regional Bank's Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager and is responsible for leading the bank's sales and operational retail team. Paul has developed several new products for GRB to better meet the needs of GRB's customers.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the SUNY College at Brockport and an Associates of Arts in Engineering from the SUNY College at Alfred. Outside of GRB, he gives back to the Rochester community by serving on the Compeer Rochester Board and on the Greece Regional Chamber Executive Board where he is also the immediate past chair.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Phil currently serves as President & CEO of GRB, a position that he has held since 2003. He has more than 20 years of banking experience, having joined GRB as a Senior Vice President, Manager of Commercial Banking after a seven-year career as commercial loan officer at a large regional bank. Phil currently leads GRB's executive management team overseeing the bank's financial, operational, administrative, underwriting and sales activities. Phil also serves as the bank's liaison to community support activities. During his tenure at GRB, the bank has grown from under $40 million in total assets to over $1 billion.
Phil received his BA in Economics from the University of Rochester and MBA in Finance from the William E. Simon School of Business. In addition to sitting on GRB's Board of Directors, Phil serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Independent Bankers Association of New York State, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at McQuaid Jesuit and Board Member of the Italian Heritage Foundation of Rochester. He was formerly the co-chair of the Boy Scouts of America Seneca Waterways Council "Casting for Character" fundraising event and previously served as a Board Member and President of the Rochester Small Business Council.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
Michelle Paroda joined Ramsey Constructors in 2002. She previously was Vice President of Customer Service at Frontier Communications and Senior Vice President at Choice One Communications. Together with her brother, Ms. Paroda also invests in commercial real estate in Dansville, NY. Ms. Paroda serves on the Board of Directors of UNICON.
Job Titles:
- Chief Credit Officer
- Senior Vice President
Randy is active in the community, doing volunteer work for Foodlink and serving as a past board member on the Rochester chapters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association.
Ron Billitier owns Billitier Electric Inc. which employs approximately 100 electricians throughout the year. Established in 1970 out of his father's home, it has grown from a mid-sized company to one of the largest commercial/industrial union electrical contractors in New York State. He is also a member of the St. John Fisher College Board of Trustees, University of Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center Board, and University of Rochester Eye Institute Board.
Job Titles:
- President, North Central Region / Toshiba Business Systems
Steven Sauer joined Toshiba Business Solutions New York in 1995. Under his leadership, the former struggling $10 million business has grown to a profitable $45 million company. Mr. Sauer previously served as second vice president at Chase Manhattan Bank and assistant vice president at Fleet Bank. He is Vice Chairman of the Unity Health System board and serves on the boards of the Geneseo Foundation, Seneca Park Zoo Society, Canfield and Tack, and FM Resources. Mr. Sauer has been Chairman of the Unity Health Foundation board of directors, a Past President of the Mental Health Association, board member of the Small Business Council of Greater Rochester, member of SUNY Geneseo John Wiley Jones School of Business Advisory Board, and a board member of Entrepreneurial Partnership for Nazareth College. In 2007, Mr. Sauer was named Business Person of the Year from the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce, and he received the Jack Palvino award from the Heart of Gold Foundation for his contribution to youth sports. In 2006, his company was awarded the Rochester Business Ethics Award, and it earned Certified Dealer Status for Client Satisfaction by J. D. Power and Associates. Steven Sauer was awarded Small Business Person of the Year in 2002 by Rochester's Chamber of Commerce, and was also awarded Upstate NY Finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2003. He is also a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal's Forty under 40 award, and was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Mental Health Association.
With more than two decades of mortgage industry experience, Suzanne is a natural fit for homebuyers at any stage. Whether it's your first home or you're a seasoned homeowner, she is committed to serving as your advocate. Suzanne has held many diverse roles in her career, from loan processing and closing to her current role as a skilled loan originator. With her first-hand knowledge of the entire process, Suzanne's approach places you in the best possible position for a successful home-buying experience.
Tim was born and raised in Rochester, N.Y., and is a graduate of SUNY Cortland currently residing in Syracuse, N.Y. Prior to entering the mortgage banking industry, he purchased his first home in 2019 with a mortgage from Genesee Regional Bank. Tim received superior customer service and was thoroughly educated about the home buying process along the way. Due to his excellent experience, and desire to help others fulfill their dreams of homeownership, Tim pursued the mortgage banking industry as the next step of his career path. He takes care of all customers with the same service he was provided. As a recent first-time homebuyer, Tim can easily relate to and guide his clients. He has the ability to make an extremely stressful and anxious process smooth and rewarding.
Tim specializes in first-time homebuyer programs, investment property products and has the flexibility to offer conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, SONYMA and Portfolio mortgage products. His constant availability, hyper-communication skills, market expertise and ability to relate to his clients set him apart.
A community bank serving Central and Western N.Y., Genesee Regional Bank's processors and underwriters are located under one roof. This allows for speedy closings and quick problem resolution. GRB is genuinely interested in the betterment of the local community and its surrounding areas, because he is raising his family in the region, too. From the first point of contact to closing, Tim ensures his buyers are fully educated about the home buying process and he is available at all times for any questions/concerns that arise. Responding and assisting with any and all needs in a quick manner is his top priority.
In addition to assisting clients with the purchase or refinance transactions, Tim is also an avid soccer player, golfer and skier. Tim and his wife, Alex, reside in Syracuse with their two sons, Harrison and Noah, and Yellow Lab, Ryder.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer
Tim has more than 25 years of commercial banking experience in the local Rochester market and oversees the commercial relationship management team and GRB's business development efforts. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics/finance from Ithaca College and completed his Master of Business Administration at Rochester Institute of Technology's Saunders College of Business. Tim also completed the Senior Leadership Development Program at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.
Active in the community, Tim is a member of the Board of Directors and serves on the Audit and Finance Committees for Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women and is a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center (CMAC). He is also a former chairman of the Board of Directors of Bivona Child Advocacy Center, and continues to serve the organization as a member of its Stewardship Committee.