The law firm of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton Professional Association, with offices in Manchester, Portsmouth, and Concord, as well as Woburn, Massachusetts, hired Cathleen A. Schmidt, former president and CEO of Citizens Bank of New Hampshire and Vermont, to join the firm as executive director and CEO.
Schmidt spent more than five years as president and CEO at Citizens, where she was responsible for overseeing 108 branches and 1,200 employees in NH and Vermont. Prior to that, she worked as the executive vice president and retail banking director for Citizens Bank in Massachusetts. In addition to bringing a experience with management and leadership of a large organization, she is a tireless champion for the betterment of the community.
"Cathy steps up and gets involved in important issues that affect the quality of life for so many in our community," said Dick Samuels, McLane's managing director. "In conjunction with her exceptional business acumen, this kind of civic-mindedness makes her a perfect fit for our firm."
Schmidt has served on the boards of the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Manchester Economic Development Corporation, and the NH Business Committee for the Arts. She currently serves as the immediate past chair of the Granite United Way board and is a trustee of Neighborworks Southern New Hampshire, a non-profit dedicated to providing NH citizens with access to quality housing services, revitalizing neighborhoods, and supporting opportunities for personal empowerment. She is also on the advisory board of the NH Institute of Politics and board of overseers for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
As executive director, Schmidt will be responsible for overseeing the operational, financial, marketing and human resource functions of the firm, and work closely with the firm's management team on day-to-day operations and strategic planning. She takes the reins as executive director Mike McCluskey steps down after 14 years. Under his direction, the firm grew to 90 attorneys.
"I am honored and thrilled to assume the responsibilities... This is a firm dedicated to delivering excellence to clients with a deeply held commitment to community. I look forward to joining the team to build on past successes and chart the course for future growth, said Schmidt.
A resident of Bedford, Schmidt holds a B.S.in economics and psychology from Boston College in Boston.
Beginning July 8th, she can be reached at McLane's Manchester office at (603) 625-6464 or by email at cathy.schmidt@mclane.com.
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