Norwood Financial announced James O. Donnelly has accepted an offer to become President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Wayne Bank effective upon his first day of employment with the company, anticipated to be in early May.

Following his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, he will also be appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the company and the bank.

Lewis J. Critelli, current President and CEO of the company and bank, previously announced his intention to retire during the first half of 2022, subject to the successful completion of a search process for a successor. Critelli intends to continue serving as a Director upon his retirement as CEO.

Donnelly joins the company with over 30 years of banking experience, most recently with Bangor Savings Bank where he served as its Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Donnelly will bring to the CEO role substantial experience and leadership skills in the areas of commercial lending, retail and mortgage banking, credit, financial management, wealth management and franchise growth through acquisition and market expansion. Donnelly has a long and distinguished history of community service, including in the areas of healthcare, higher education and the United Way.

Critelli remarked, “Jim is an experienced, dedicated and successful community banker. We look forward to Jim joining the Company and the Bank in this key leadership role. We welcome him and his wife, Melissa, to the Bank and to our community.”

He has an MBA from Post University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maine, as well as leadership courses from various banking schools. He and his wife plan to relocate to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Norwood Financial Corp is the parent company of Wayne Bank, which operates from 14 offices throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and 16 offices in Delaware, Sullivan, Ontario, Otsego and Yates Counties, New York.