ROCKLAND, Mass.–Rockland Trust Company and its bank holding company parent Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: INDB) announced the appointment of Jeffrey J. Tengel as the successor to current Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Oddleifson, effective on or about February 6, 2023.
Oddleifson has served as the Bank’s CEO since 2003. Under his leadership, Rockland Trust has grown total assets from just over $2 billion to nearly $20 billion and expanded from its southeastern Massachusetts roots to a bank with over 120 retail branches, commercial and residential lending centers, and investment management offices.
“What an honor it has been to serve as Rockland Trust’s CEO,” said Oddleifson. “After leading Rockland Trust for over twenty years, I have decided that the time has come to pass the baton. I am thrilled that our Board of Directors has selected a successor with the caliber of Jeff Tengel to guide Rockland Trust into the future.”
The appointment of Tengel is the culmination of a thoughtful, thorough CEO succession planning process that involved a nationwide search. A special committee of the Board, comprised of independent directors, oversaw CEO succession planning, assisted by a preeminent leadership consulting firm. Following Tengel’s formal appointment as CEO, Oddleifson will remain with Rockland Trust in an executive advisory role until the end of 2023.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank Chris Oddleifson for establishing consistent, disciplined, outstanding performance over the last two decades,” said Donna L. Abelli, Chair of both the Independent and Rockland Trust Boards. “Our strategic direction is unchanged, and we are confident that Jeff Tengel will leverage his robust commercial banking experience and people-first leadership style to maintain Rockland Trust’s best-in-class culture and build on the organization’s solid foundation.”
Tengel most recently served as Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Specialty Banking at M&T Bank. Prior to M&T’s recent acquisition of People’s United Financial, Tengel was President of People’s United where he was responsible for commercial banking, retail banking, and wealth management. He joined People’s United in 2010 from PNC Bank where he worked following PNC’s acquisition of National City Bank. At National City, Tengel served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking, managing the specialized industry, capital markets, commercial real estate, equipment finance, and private equity business lines.
Tengel received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Marquette University and his M.B.A. from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Quinnipiac University.
“I am grateful for the opportunity the Board has granted me to join an outstanding organization so deeply rooted in the communities it serves,” said Tengel. “I look forward to building strong, enduring relationships with Rockland Trust’s loyal customers and dedicated colleagues. I am steadfastly committed to maintaining the award-winning culture and customer service fostered during Chris Oddleifson’s long-term stewardship. I will draw upon my experience to lead Rockland Trust to a tomorrow filled with innovation, opportunity, sustainable disciplined growth, and purpose.”
Independent has appointed Tengel as a Class I Director, effective as of his appointment as CEO. Rockland Trust also simultaneously appointed Tengel to its Board of Directors, effective as of his appointment as CEO.
Oddleifson will continue to serve as a Class III Director of Independent and as a Rockland Trust Director. Oddleifson does not intend to stand for reelection as a director when his current terms expire in 2023.
