The Key Collective hires first employee, Jim Carrigan to oversee new Exeter office: Seacoast business news

Joseph Guyton of Guyton-Forge named Five Star Wealth Manager in N.H.

PORTSMOUTH – Joseph Guyton, Owner of Portsmouth-based firm The Guyton Group, has earned the prestigious designation of Five Star Wealth Manager. To earn the Five Star Wealth Manager award, wealth managers must satisfy criteria associated with providing quality services to their clients. Factors considered include assets under management and client retention rate, and candidates undergo a thorough regulatory and compliance review. This is Joe’s sixth time winning the award.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award is given annually to financial managers who are identified through research conducted with peers and firms. The program analyzes internal and external research data, including a survey to more than 3,000 registered financial services professionals and all local financial service companies registered with FINRA or the SEC, to select each year’s winners.

“I’m honored to be recognized with this prestigious award for the sixth time, which is a testament to the high quality service I provide to my clients and the long-term relationships I build with them. I truly enjoy working with each of my clients, giving them confidence in their financial planning, and helping them prepare for long-term financial health,” Guyton explained.

Guyton works with clients on a wide range of issues including financial protection and wealth accumulation strategies, using a comprehensive planning method that coordinates all aspects of their personal economies.

“Joe has earned the prestigious designation of Five Star Wealth Manager for his exemplary client service and knowledge of the financial services industry,” said Seth Medalie, CLU^®, ChFC^®, President of The Bulfinch Group. “The Five Star designation is a true testament to his character and professionalism.”

The Key Collective hires Kim Irwin as its first employee

EXETER — The KEY Collective welcomes Kim Irwin as a part-time employee in the role of NH Seacoast Community Manager. Irwin is the first employee hired since the organization was founded in 2017 by Executive Director Kristyn LaFleur.

Irwin brings experience in the nonprofit sector, marketing, and fundraising to the role. In the position, she will be focusing on brand awareness, community & fundraising events, volunteer management, and partner relations.

A Stratham native, Irwin is passionate about providing access to the sports and activities that shaped her childhood on the Seacoast. “KEY’s mission is simple, important, and relatable. The work Kristyn and the board have done over the past seven years is inspiring and necessary in this community, and I’m excited to be part of it moving forward,” says Irwin.

“We are so excited to have Kim officially join us as an employee after being a volunteer for the past 9 months. Her marketing & fundraising expertise in the nonprofit sector makes her a great addition to our team. Her positive attitude and passion for the work that we do fits perfectly into our organization’s culture,” Kristyn LaFleur, Founder & Executive Director.

Irwin’s hiring was a result of The KEY Collective’s growth. The organization is seeing unprecedented demand for youth participation across the Seacoast and an increasing number of program partners offering their programs at a reduced or free cost to #areuin? kids. The onboarding of this new position will help the organization continue to provide kids the much needed social, mental & physical benefits that quality out-of-school programming provides.

Jim Carrigan to oversee new Exeter office at MVSB

EXETER — Jim Carrigan, MVSB Regional Vice President, will oversee the MVSB Exeter branch location currently under construction at 2 Meeting Place Drive. The new full-service banking center expects to open in July 2024.

In this role, Carrigan will work closely with this new branch team to build on existing relationships as well as to identify and develop new opportunities in the community.

“MVSB truly cares about its employees, its customers and about being responsible and involved community members. We are so excited to be opening soon in Exeter and can already sense an alignment in our values in this dynamic community,” said Carrigan. “We have been fortunate to have some key team members already hard at work in the area and we look forward to adding more talented local employees as construction progresses.”

Carrigan joined MVSB in 2017 as Branch & Business Development Manager for the Bank’s then-newly constructed Portsmouth office, bringing with him more than 10 years of banking experience. He was promoted in 2022 to oversee the Bank’s Rochester office. In 2023, his role was expanded to oversee Bank’s Alton, Gilford and Laconia branch offices.

Carrigan is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College and was recognized with an Emerging Leader Award from the American Bankers Association in 2023. He is passionate about giving back and regularly volunteers at the Seacoast Science Center and at the gardens at the Monarch School of New England’s Horticultural Therapy Program. He lives on a licensed wildlife sanctuary with his wife and two kids and enjoys baking and gardening.

Kennebunk Savings Insurance acquires York Insurance Agency

KENNEBUNK, Maine – Kennebunk Savings Insurance announced it has purchased the York Insurance Agency in York, Maine. The acquisition was completed on Dec. 31, 2023.

York Insurance Agency was established in 2006 by Deb Lauersen, who has more than 35 years of experience in the business. “I love insurance and the opportunities it affords my clients. Whether you are buying that first car, you own a home, or run a business, insurance reduces the risk involved. Everyone needs it," said Lauersen. “This acquisition allows me to spend more time with my clients and to offer them additional products to serve their insurance needs.”

“York Insurance Agency is just a good fit for us,” said Danny Edgecomb, president of Kennebunk Savings Insurance. “Deb and her team share a common mission of providing clients with comprehensive coverage options delivered by an experienced, knowledgeable, and responsive staff of insurance professionals. We’re happy to have them on board.”

York Insurance Agency staff joined the members of Kennebunk Savings Insurance at their location at 2 Hannaford Drive in York, just down the street from the former York Insurance Agency building. They continue to serve their customers at their new location.

John Swedberg to retire after 25 years of service to MVSB

John Swedberg, Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Loan Officer, will retire from Meredith Village Savings Bank in May after 25 years of dedicated service to the Bank, local businesses and the community.

Swedberg joined MVSB as a Commercial Loan Officer in 1999 with extensive experience in commercial lending and community banking. He was quickly promoted to Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer in 2000 and to Senior Vice President in 2014, managing the Bank’s commercial lending strategy and team. Following the retirement of his longtime colleague, Bob Sargeant, Swedberg was promoted to senior staff in 2017 both as a part of the strategy team for the mutual bank and to oversee all commercial lending efforts for MVSB.

“It was most important to me to be a part of a bank that cared about investing locally. I knew MVSB had a great reputation as a community bank and would be a great fit for me,” said Swedberg. “Throughout my 25 years here, I have been blessed to work with some of the best colleagues I could have hoped for. They make this job extremely satisfying and I know they will carry on the bank’s commitment to supporting local businesses and our community.”

In his tenure, Swedberg confidently guided the commercial lending department through numerous industry changes and shifting economic climates. He was integral to the bank’s success navigating the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to support local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also oversaw the selection and launch of the bank’s first online commercial loan application, bringing the first of its kind expedited application and funding process to the local community. With a strong focus on employee development, Swedberg has created significant opportunities for growth for his team, including the creation of a very successful commercial lending apprenticeship program. As a result, Swedberg will leave behind a diverse and talented commercial banking team that will serve the needs of MVSB and the community for decades to come.

“My overall experience at MVSB couldn’t have been better,” said Swedberg. “I was treated with respect and trust from the day I walked in the door. If I recommended a business for a loan, I could count on the support of my management and the Board of Directors, because they really care about investing in our local community. Among other things, the bank encourages a positive work-life balance, allowing me to be there for my family, coach my kids in youth and high school sports and never miss an important event or moment.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: The Key Collective hires first employee, Jim Carrigan to oversee new office: Seacoast business news