Matthew S. Sosik Named Chairman of the Board; Fred G. DeBiasi Joins COCC’s Board of Directors
COCC is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew S. Sosik, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TruNorth Bank and Hometown Financial Group, as Chairman of COCC’s Board of Directors. Sosik, a current member of COCC’s Board, succeeds Richard A. Leone, President & CEO of COCC, who will step down from his role as Chairman at the expiration of his Chair term, while continuing to serve as a Management Director.
Sosik brings decades of banking and executive leadership experience to his new role as Chairman. After beginning his banking career with the FDIC, he joined bankHometown in 1996 and bankESB in 2013, helping establish Hometown Financial Group through the banks’ merger. He then led the company’s growth through organic expansion, mergers and acquisitions.
Today, Sosik serves as Chairman and CEO of TruNorth Bank and Hometown Financial Group in Massachusetts. The unified $7 billion-asset TruNorth Bank brings together the strengths of its legacy banks while maintaining a commitment to local decision-making, exceptional service, and helping employees, customers and communities unlock their potential. Sosik earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Bentley University and is a lifelong resident of Sturbridge.
In addition to his new role as Chairman, Sosik will continue to serve on COCC’s Planning & Finance and Personnel Committees.
“I am honored to take on the role of Chairman of COCC’s Board of Directors and look forward to continuing to work alongside board members and COCC’s leadership team,” said Sosik. “Together, we will build on COCC’s strong tradition of partnership and continue to evolve alongside our clients.”
Fred G. DeBiasi, President & CEO of Valley Central Bank, Liberty Township, OH will also join COCC’s Board of Directors. A banking professional with 36 years of experience, DeBiasi has served as President & CEO of Valley Central Bank for the past six years, following 12 years as President & CEO of American Savings Bank. He has held several industry leadership positions, including Chairman of the Ohio Bankers League, member of the Ohio Banking Commission and member of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking. He currently serves on the ABA Community Bank Council. DeBiasi will serve on COCC’s Risk Management and Governance Committees.
“Joining COCC’s Board of Directors is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an organization with a strong commitment to community financial institutions,” said DeBiasi. “I welcome the opportunity to support COCC’s continued innovation, strong client partnerships and long-term growth.”
As a client-owned cooperative, COCC reinvests its profits directly into advanced technologies designed to benefit its clients. Its Board of Directors includes financial institution leaders from across COCC’s market, helping ensure the company’s growth remains closely aligned with clients’ evolving needs.
“We are pleased to welcome Fred to COCC’s Board and congratulate Matt on his appointment as Chairman,” said Richard A. Leone, President & CEO of COCC. “Matt’s experience and leadership will be instrumental as our Board continues to guide COCC’s strategic direction, and Fred brings valuable insight that will further strengthen our Board. I look forward to working with both as we continue to advance COCC on behalf of our clients.”
The Board transition also marks Trent Troyer’s retirement from COCC’s Board of Directors after 13 years, having joined in November 2013. Throughout his tenure, Troyer held several leadership and committee positions, including Governance Chairman beginning in November 2019. Most recently, he was a member of the Risk Management and Audit Committees, after previously serving on the Personnel Committee.
COCC extends its sincere appreciation to Troyer for his 13 years of dedicated service, leadership, and contributions to the organization.
“Trent has been a valued member of COCC’s Board for more than a decade, and we are incredibly grateful for the leadership, insight and commitment he has brought to COCC,” Leone added. “We thank him for his many years of service and the lasting impact he has made on our organization.”
