 Click above to listen to Andy Arruda's :15 radio spot on Cumulus Radio WPRO630AM News Talk Radio  Click above to listen to Michelle Underwood's :15 radio spot on Cumulus Radio WPRO630AM News Talk Radio  Click above to listen to Shomari Lewis's :15 radio spot on Cumulus Radio WPRO630AM News Talk Radio
0 Comments
Congratulations to Award Winners: East Bay Printing, F & S Electric, and Marshall Building & Remodeling! Oct. 16, 2025, at The Wharf, Warren RIAbove photos: Photo Credit: Crystal Clear Marketing, www.crystalclear-marketing.com Centreville Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of New Full-Service Branch in Warren
Event featured ribbon cutting and charitable foundation grants to five local nonprofits. Warren, R.I. (October 7, 2025) – Centreville Bank today celebrated the grand opening of its new, full-service branch in Warren, Rhode Island, located at 521 Main Street. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a community gathering, and the presentation of charitable grants from the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation to several local nonprofit organizations. The Warren branch officially opened to the public on July 1, 2025, and serves as Centreville Bank’s second full-service branch in the East Bay. The branch builds on the bank’s presence in Warren through its Loan Production Office (LPO) at 951 Main Street, which continues to support the area’s lending needs. “Our new branch represents our long-term commitment to Warren and the East Bay. It provides residents and businesses with access to the full range of Centreville Bank products and services, and it reflects the dedication of our team to delivering personalized, community-focused banking,” said Lee Merrill, EVP, Chief Lending Officer at Centreville Bank. “We are proud to strengthen our presence in this community and to be a partner in its continued growth.” During the ceremony, the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation presented grants to the following local nonprofit organizations: Women’s Resource Center, Bristol Rotary Charities, St. Mary Food Pantry, East Bay Food Pantry, and the Town of Warren. “The Women’s Resource Center is honored to count Centreville Bank as one of our committed partners in ensuring that survivors in the East Bay have the support they need to achieve safety and healing. Centreville’s continued investment in the WRC demonstrates their commitment to the health and well-being of the communities they serve,” said Jessica Walsh, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center. The Warren branch is led by Branch Manager Nancy Coelho and Assistant Branch Manager Kristi Aguiar, along with banking professionals Brenden Vadeboncoeur, Linda Moreira, and Shaelyn Ferreira, with additional support from Gina Helm, VP, Head of Residential Lending, and Paul Sousa, VP, Commercial Lender. The branch offers a full range of personal and business banking services, including checking and savings accounts, residential and commercial lending, online and mobile banking, and an ITM/ATM. For more information about Centreville Bank’s products and services, please visit www.centrevillebank.com. About Centreville Bank Founded in 1828 and headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, Centreville Bank is a full-service mutual bank with over $2.9 billion in assets and 23 locations throughout Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. Centreville understands the unique financial needs of individuals, families and businesses and offers a wide range of personal banking and commercial banking products and services including checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, mortgages, business loans and more. Centreville is committed to its employees and the communities it serves, always striving to help people make progress and achieve their financial goals. That is progress on purpose. Visit centrevillebank.com, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, or come into a branch or office to learn more. ###  When you think about "physical fitness," you might picture intense gym sessions or rigorous training. But for small business owners, physical activity is far more than just about looking good or fitting into those jeans. It's a powerful, often overlooked, tool for business success. As someone who's worked in physical therapy, as a fitness trainer and mental health for nearly 20 years, I understand the profound connection between our physical and mental state and our ability to perform under pressure.
Running a business demands energy, focus, and resilience. Long hours, critical decisions, and unexpected hurdles can drain even the most dedicated owner. Regular physical activity, however, can be a natural antidote. It reduces stress hormones, improves cognitive function, enhances mood, and boosts overall energy levels. That afternoon slump that often hits after a busy morning? A quick walk or a few stretches can often banish it, leaving you refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your day with renewed vigor. Additionally, have you ever noticed a time when you were struggling for hours, days or longer with a problem you seemingly could not solve and then had one of those “Ah Ha!” moments and the solution came when you were doing something completely unrelated to the problem? That's because when you are engaging your brain in different ways outside the constraints of the problem at hand - your mind becomes more creative and sees things from a broader perspective versus the hyper focused point of view that you were visualizing the problem from before. Remember, it’s not about becoming an Olympic athlete; it’s about training the body and mind to be a bit more flexible physically and psychologically. As humans, we need to challenge ourselves and experience the world around us from as many different perspectives as possible - again both physically and mentally. This flexibility allows entrepreneurs to meet their consumers' needs in new and innovative ways differentiating themselves from their competitors. Thomas Edison put it perfectly when he quipped, ‘The chief function of the body is to carry the brain around.’ Edison was renowned for his ability to see problems differently and more creatively. Additionally, physically challenging yourself as well as mentally challenging yourself is important for building a sense of increased physical vitality and mental well-being. It allows us to focus on hard things that are rewarding and help to unhook the mind from the struggles, ruminations and annoyances of life that get in the way so many times of being present and enjoying the simple and most important things around us - family, friends and community. So, could you take a walk through the charming streets of Warren instead of another coffee break? Could you schedule a short, invigorating exercise session before your workday begins or join a local business owners running club (yes, this is shameless plug for the Wednesday morning running club that starts at the Barrington YMCA at 0630am)? These small commitments to your physical well-being translate directly into sharper thinking, better problem-solving, and increased stamina for your business. Let's make physical fitness a non-negotiable part of your entrepreneurial toolkit.  At the East Bay Chamber, our Member Ambassadors are the friendly faces who go above and beyond to make new members feel welcome and engaged!
They’re the ones reaching out to new members through our Buddy Program, attending Ribbon Cuttings to celebrate milestones, and making monthly well-check calls to keep members connected. Ambassadors are champions of our Chamber’s mission — building relationships, fostering engagement, and helping members maximize the value of their membership. Spotlight on Donna Linhares Chair, Member Ambassadors Committee Banking Manager, Webster Bank – Barrington Q: What is your professional background? I am currently the Banking Manager at the Webster Bank Barrington location, where I bring over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Throughout my career, I have provided a full range of banking solutions, including both deposit-based services and lending. My longstanding commitment to client relationships and community-focused banking has been the foundation of my success and continued service at Webster Bank. Q: Why do you volunteer as an Ambassador? As a Chamber Ambassador, I have the privilege of serving as a liaison between the Chamber and the local business community. I chose to become an ambassador because I am passionate about supporting economic growth, fostering strong professional relationships, and helping new and existing members feel welcomed and engaged. Being an ambassador means more than just representing the Chamber at events—it's about building meaningful connections, promoting local businesses, and contributing to a vibrant and thriving community. I take pride in playing a role that strengthens collaborations, enhances visibility for Chamber initiatives, and encourages active participation among members. Q: What’s a fun fact about you? Outside of my career, I take every opportunity to spend time with my family—especially enjoying outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and camping to name a few. Nature has always been our favorite way to connect and recharge together. Interested in Getting Involved? If you love connecting people, supporting local businesses, and spreading positive energy — the Ambassadors Committee might be the perfect fit for you! Ambassadors volunteer just a few hours a month and make a big difference by helping strengthen our Chamber community. Learn more or join the committee: Email Donna Linhares at [email protected] |
Categories
All
Archives
December 2025
|
RSS Feed