This month saw Citizens promote its long-time interim chief executive officer to the position permanently, while Bank of America Chicago named a new president. Bank Automation News takes a look at December’s movers and shakers.

Gerald Shields named CEO of Citizens

Citizens named Gerald Shields as its new chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. He has served as interim chief executive officer since August 2020, and has been a member of the $184.5 billion bank’s board of directors since 2017.

Shields brings technology expertise to the Providence, R.I.-based bank with more than 30 years’ experience in health insurance management and technology. He holds professional certifications from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Chief Network Officers Program, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and Aubrey Daniels International. He is a two-time CIO magazine CIO 100 Award-winner, and received ComputerWorld’s CIO 100 Award.

Shields will remain on the bank’s board and continue to serve as vice chairman, a position he assumed in 2020.

His performance as interim CEO impressed the board, said Chairman J.D. “Chip” Davis Jr.

“Gerald has done an outstanding job as interim CEO, stepping in at a pivotal time, bringing to bear his industry and technical expertise to lead the company through a period of transition over the past 16 months,” Davis said in the announcement.

Rita Sola Cook promoted to president of Bank of America Chicago

Bank of America Chicago has named Rita Sola Cook its new Chicago market president. She will replace Paul Lambert, who is retiring after 30 years with the $3 trillion bank.

“Since joining Bank of America more than 20 years ago, Rita has held various leadership positions and established deep relationships with teammates, clients and the Chicago community,” Brian Moynihan, Bank of America chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

In her new role, Cook will be responsible for delivering banking and investment tools to customers across the Greater Chicago area. She will also serve as Bank of America’s community liaison, helping to bridge social and economic gaps.

Cook has been with Bank of America since 1997, most recently serving as division executive for the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, where she worked with clients with revenues of $50 million to $2 billion. Cook has also been an anti-money laundering executive for the global, commercial and investment banking sectors of the bank.

First Internet Bancorp appoints two new directors

First Internet Bancorp has named Justin Christian and Ann Colussi Dee to its board of directors. They will provide information technology (IT) insights and executive direction to the $4.3 billion digital bank.

Christian is co-founder and president of BCforward, an IT consulting and workforce firm with nearly 5,800 employees and projected 2021 revenues of $600 million. He was named the 2020 EY Entrepreneur of the Year and received the 2021 TechPoint Trailblazer award.

Colussi Dee has been with real estate investment group Duke Realty for 26 years, serving as executive vice president with a focus on legal affairs.

Movers and Shakers is a monthly Bank Automation News column that follows the hirings and promotions of financial institutions. Submissions may be sent for consideration to editorial@royalmedia.com.

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