(Chelsea Update would like to thank Joanne Rau for the information in this story.)
After 13 years working as Vice President of Commercial Banking Officer for Chelsea State Bank, Mark McCulloch is set to retire on Wednesday, July 31.
McCulloch joined Chelsea State Bank in 2011 as a Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. His extensive banking career began at the National Bank of Detroit, then continued with Citizens Bank, and the Detroit Commerce. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, and held his Certified Public Accountant status for many years. In addition to his notable banking career, McCulloch also served on Chelsea United Way’s Board, the Walsh College Financial Advisory Committee, and the Friends of Detroit Public Library.
“I will miss the close interaction with customers and colleagues that I have treasured,” said McCulloch. “These relationships are the cornerstone of banking and I truly believe that CSB has cornered the market on these important aspects of banking and community involvement.
“I was blessed to have worked alongside several stalwarts in the Chelsea community. These names have been very familiar in Chelsea for years, including John Mann, Dave Schaible, friend and colleague Mary Lee Penny, and my mentor Ken Gietzen. More recently CSB has been captained by Joanne Rau, Tom DuMont, and Bill Bacon who have begun to ably carry the 127-year CSB torch forward into the future. These names are a few of the dozens of excellent bankers who provided the Chelsea community with exceptional banking relationships and experiences throughout the years. Thanks to all; customers, colleagues, and friends alike,” he said.
“We congratulate Mark on his retirement,” said Thomas DuMont, Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Manager, Chelsea State Bank. “His ability to build meaningful business relationships while serving the best interest of the customer will truly be missed and felt deeply by our team. He is an asset to the bank, his peers, and the community – we wish him the best of luck in the next chapter of his life.”
Chelsea State Bank customers with banking relationships with McCulloch were notified of his retirement last month and were introduced to John Lee who joined the Chelsea State Bank in late May this year.
John Lee joined Chelsea State Bank on May 28, 2024, as a Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer. He brings over 25 years of concentrated banking experience as a Commercial Relationship Manager specializing in commercial lending and banking solutions.
Lee graduated from Michigan State University’s Broad School of Business with a B.A. in Finance. His experience is broad, beginning his career as a Bank Examiner with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.
He joined Comerica Bank as an internal auditor for 3 years before working as a Credit Analyst in Comerica’s Commercial Credit Program. He was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Business Banking Relationship Manager. John has spent the last 7 years as Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager with First Merchants Bank (formerly known as Level One Bank) growing his commercial loan portfolio to $80 million. Previously, he spent 12 years as a Commercial Relationship Manager at Fifth Third Bank in Southeast Michigan.
Chelsea State Bank also recently welcomed Joe Stempek as the Branch Manager at the Dexter Banking Center in May 2024. He brings with him extensive banking experience and exceptional leadership skills. Stempek has over 20 years of banking experience, which has sharpened his deep understanding of the banking industry. He volunteered for two large bank conversions that he excelled at when working at Huntington.
“We value Joe’s commitment to grow and his willingness to take on a new role during an important time in our history,” said Bill Bacon, Director of Branch Banking & Cash Management Solutions. “His dedication to providing top-notch service is a quality that aligns perfectly with the values at Chelsea State Bank. We believe that exceptional customer service is the foundation of building long-lasting relationships with our valued clients and his experience will help strengthen our commitment to this principle.”
About Chelsea State Bank
Chelsea State Bank is a full-service financial institution with offices in Chelsea and Dexter. The bank was formed over 125 years ago by local business leaders to provide timely financial solutions to individuals, families, and businesses in the community. This tradition of community service continues today.
For more information, please call 734-475-1355 or visit www.chelseastate.bank. Member FDIC.
