Sunday, August 29, 2010

First State Bank announces promotions

First State Bank of the Florida Keys announced the expansion of its Accounting Department with the selection of Jenny O'Brien as accounting officer/assistant controller, and the promotion of Jon Boley to accounting officer.

O'Brien joined the bank in 2001 as a college intern/teller. Upon graduation, she returned to the bank as credit analyst. She was promoted to commercial lender in 2004 and commercial loan officer in 2006.

O'Brien is a Key West High School graduate and has a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in finance from the University of Florida.

Boley joined the bank in 2006 as assistant controller. He has more than 15 years' banking experience and a bachelor's degree in business from Malone University in Ohio.

Yaniley "Yani" Sierra Garcia was promoted to assistant branch operations manager for the bank's Key West Winn-Dixie office. She joined the bank in 2004 as a teller at the Stock Island branch and was promoted to lead teller in 2006 and customer service representative in 2007.

Originally from Cuba, she has a degree from the University of Cuba.

Melendi recognized by photography peers

Key Largo photographer Luis Melendi was presented with the state's Memorial Service Award in recognition of his many years of service at the annual state convention of the Florida Professional Photographers, held earlier this month in Orlando.

Melendi joined the association in 1976. He later held a position on its board of directors for six years, served as convention manager and was president in 1986-87. In 1990, he became its permanent trade show manager. He was awarded life membership in the association in 1996.

During his career, he has garnered many awards and earned numerous designations, including Certified Professional Photographer, Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman. He also has been editor of Florida Photographer Magazine since 1977.