Lakeland Bank Associates Named 2020 Rising Stars

Lakeland Bank is pleased to announce that Andrea Chletsos, Assistant Vice President, Senior Paralegal, and Rhaea Western, Assistant Treasurer, Compliance Data Specialist were recipients of the NJBankers 2020 Emerging Leaders Rising Star Award. A panel of independent judges reviewed nominations and selected the 2020 awardees based on exemplary leadership characteristics.

“Congratulations to Andrea and Rhaea as they are recognized as Rising Stars among the banking professionals who have made a significant impact in our industry,” said Thomas Shara, President and CEO, Lakeland Bank. “We are honored to have these two talented leaders on our team and thank them for their dedication and commitment to helping make Lakeland a better bank.”

Andrea Chletsos, Assistant Vice President, Senior Paralegal, joined Lakeland Bank in 2016 as an Assistant Treasurer, Paralegal II and was promoted to her current position in 2019. She has over a decade of legal experience and was a member of Lakeland’s inaugural class of LEAD participants who graduated in 2019. Chletsos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Drew University and is a certified paralegal. She is a resident of Hampton Township, NJ and serves on the Board of Education at Marion E. McKeown Elementary School in her town.

“I am honored and humbled to receive such a distinguished award among so many deserving others in the banking industry,” said Chletsos. “This award is recognition of my own hard work, but also of the amazing organization that Lakeland is by providing me with opportunities and challenges to continue growing my career.”

Rhaea Western, Assistant Treasurer, Compliance Data Specialist, joined Lakeland in 2016 as a File Room Clerk. She transferred to the Compliance department as Compliance Analyst I in 2017, was recently promoted to her current role and is a 2020 graduate of the Lakeland Bank LEAD program. Western holds an associates degree in communication from County College of Morris and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management at William Paterson University. Western currently resides in Butler, N.J.

“It is a true honor to be recognized as one of the NJ Bankers Rising Stars alongside such talented peers in the banking industry,” said Western. “I am proud to be acknowledged for the dedication and enthusiasm I bring to my work and sincerely grateful for the remarkable opportunities and empowering partners at Lakeland Bank. Looking forward, I am eager to contribute to the Bank’s continued growth.”