Press Releases
Montvale, NJ (Bergen County): Paragon Federal Credit Union recently awarded four $1,000 scholarships through their Carl Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund to student members in their senior year of high school. Alissa Michel of Northern Valley Regional High School, Andrew Van Haasteren of Fanwood High School, Brandy Neary of Ridgefield Memorial High School and Kristin Mullen of Mahwah High School were chosen from over 100 applicants to receive the $1,000 scholarships. Winners were selected based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community activities, teacher references, as well as their exceptional leadership qualities.
“We are proud of all of our student members and wish them much success in their future endeavors,” stated Michael F. Puzycki, Assistant Vice President.
The Carl Strong Memorial Fund, named in honor of Paragon founder Carl Strong, was established to help deserving members in their senior year of high school defray the costs of continuing their education. To date, over $81,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
Pictured from left to right: Brandy Neary of Ridgefield Memorial High School, Alissa Michel of Northern Valley Regional High School, Kristin Mullen of Mahwah High School, Andrew Van Haasteren of Fanwood High School and John O'Malley of Paragon Federal Credit Union.
Montvale, NJ (Bergen County): Paragon Federal Credit Union was a participant and sponsor in the 2010 Relay For Life of Pascack Valley on May 22 & 23, 2010 to help raise funds for The American Cancer Society. In their first year participating in this event, “Team Paragon” raised $1,295 to help support the Society’s mission of saving lives.
“Paragon Federal Credit Union is proud to be a sponsor to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” stated Michael F. Puzycki, Assistant Vice President.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Locally organized, “Relay For Life” events take place across the nation on behalf of the American Cancer Society, with more than three million Americans participating annually. To learn more about Relay For Life, visit www.RelayForLife.org.
Paragon Representatives John O'Malley and Dennis Bedoya hold the "Team Paragon" flag.
Montvale, NJ… Paragon Federal Credit Union announced today that John S. Fiore has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Richard Rays who recently retired after a distinguished 35-year career.
Fiore brings over 30 years of experience as an accomplished leader within the financial services industry. Most recently, he served thirteen years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Bank, a $1 billion New Jersey thrift. Over this period, Fiore led Synergy’s expansion from from 7 branches to 21 branches. His leadership was marked by successfully establishing the bank as a leader in the field of automobile lending throughout the United States via the Internet. During his tenure, Synergy earned the distinction of being selected by BusinessWeek as one of the nation’s top price-performing micro-cap companies.
Prior to that, he spent six years as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Synergy Federal Credit Union. Earlier, he held a variety of senior level positions at Chemical Bank New Jersey, culminating in a two-year tenure as Vice President, Mortgage Sales. Fiore began his career in 1980 as an Internal Auditor at Columbia Bank.
"We have great confidence in John’s leadership abilities,” said James P. Colagreco, Chairman of the Board. "His innovative use of technology, team-building and creative problem-solving will serve our members well and ensure a solid future for many years to come.”
"It’s a great honor to join Paragon’s leadership team," said Fiore. "I look forward to continuing Paragon’s longstanding commitment to service and establishing Paragon as a lending leader in the communities we serve. “
Throughout his career, Fiore has been active in many community affairs including his service as a volunteer for the United Way and Habitat for Humanity.
He is a 1980 graduate of Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in economics and philosophy. He was also awarded a graduate degree in banking from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware in 1988 and received his professional designation as a certified chief executive (CCE) in 1997 from the Credit Union Executive Society CEO Institute in conjunction with the University of California – Berkeley, Cornell University and the University of Virginia.
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