Home Business Banking Electronic banking Personal Banking About FSB Contact Us

Welcome to Franklin Security Bank – Meet the Executive Management Team & Board of Directors

Board of Directors:

Executive Management Team:

Board of Directors:

Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq. is Chairman of the Board for Franklin Security Bank. Mr. O’Connor is an attorney and the President and CEO of Cozen O’Connor, a law firm headquartered in Philadelphia with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 21 national and two international offices in London, England and Toronto, Canada. Mr. O’Connor has been named one of the top 100 lawyers in Pennsylvania for three consecutive years, a selection resulting from a poll conducted of Pennsylvania lawyers. He was also selected for inclusion in the 2006 and 2007 editions of The Best Lawyers in America. He has been named a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics.  

Mr. O’Connor is actively involved in many legal, professional, civic and educational organizations. He is a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a member of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Committee on Rules of Evidence, a Board member of the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania, and an international Board member of the American Ireland Fund. Mr. O’Connor is also Chairman of the Board of Mellon Private Asset Management Funds, a Board member of the Philadelphia Police Foundation and a Board member of Philadelphia’s Children First Fund.  

Mr. O’Connor’s educational affiliations include serving as a current member (and former Chairman) of the Board of consultors for the Villanova University School of Law, and as a Trustee of Temple University. He served previously as a member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of College Misericordia, and as a member of the Board of Directors at Kings College. In 2002, he was honored with the Gerald Abraham Alumni Association Award for Service by Villanova Law Alumni Association. Mr. O’Connor earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Kings College, magna cum laude, in 1964 and his juris doctorate degree from the Villanova School of Law in 1967. Following Law School, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. Clary, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and as an associate attorney at Pepper Hamilton & Scheetz before joining Cozen O’Connor in 1973.[back to top]  
 
William J. Cunningham, is a member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame with an outstanding reputation built through a career of success. Mr. Cunningham, an Academic All-American with a degree in History from the University of North Carolina was a three time All-ACC selection and twice All American. He was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers helping to lead them to the NBA title in two short years. Mr. Cunningham went on to become the 76ers team coach – leading them to championship finalist seasons in 1980, 1982 and the coveted championship in 1983. His coaching record also includes 454 wins. Currently Mr. Cunningham donates his executive expertise and much of his free time to civic and charitable endeavors. He is a board member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, a Board member and Co-Chairman of the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund, a board member of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation and Honorary chair of Magee’s Night of Champions fundraising event. Mr. Cunningham has enjoyed post retirement years researching and investing in novel and entrepreneurial entities as well as making substantive investments in equity funds specializing in de novo and community banks and thrifts.[back to top]
Arthur J. Kania is a principal at Trikan Associates, a Kania family affiliate which manages various real estate holdings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida.  Trikan is also active in venture-capital investments, primarily in health care, technology and the financial services industry.   

Mr. Kania is also a director of Continental Bank Holdings, Inc. and Continental Bank, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.  In addition, Mr. Kania has also been a Director of Summit Bank, Prime Bank, PNC Bank and a director and member of the Executive Committee of Midlantic Bancorporation and Continental Bank.  

Mr. Kania is a 1953 graduate of the University of Scranton, and 1956 graduate of Villanova University Law School.  Mr. Kania is active in various charitable and civic affairs.  Mr. Kania is a former member and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Villanova University; a current member of the Board of Consultors of Villanova University School of Law; a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Trustee Emeritus of The University of Scranton; a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital; a director of Piasecki Foundation; a past member of the Delaware Valley Hospital Council and the Chairman’s Advisory Committee of the Temple University Department of Health Administration (Graduate Division); and a past member of the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Art Museum Associates. [back to top]   

Gerard M. Karam, is a managing partner at Mazzoni, Karam, Petorak and Valvano. Mr. Karam’s practice concentration is in Civil Litigation and Criminal defense. Mr Karam’s extensive resume includes having served as the Chief Public Defender in Lackawanna County from 1993 to 2003 and as the Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Scranton. He has been named a Pennsylvania super lawyer and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates forum. Mr. Karam is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University with a B.S. in Accounting and a Graduate of Loyola University School of Law. Mr. Karam is dedicated to the greater Lackawanna community as evidenced by his volunteer positions. He is currently a director of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Previously Mr. Karam served as the President of the Lackawanna Bar Association, the President of the Scranton Preparatory School Alumni Board of Governors, the Diocese of Scranton Holy Cross School System, Lackawanna County Pro Bono Inc and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Additionally, he was a member of the initial Drug Court Development team for Lackawanna County and has been a speaker across the state on matters concerning Civil and Criminal Litigation. [back to top]

Robert J. Knowles, Jr., is the owner of Knowles Insurance Agency in Scranton Pennsylvania. Knowles Insurance is a property-casualty insurance agency operating in Scranton since 1963. Mr. Knowles current responsibilities include agency management, strategic planning, sales and marketing. Mr. Knowles has extensive experience in the insurance industry with a lifetime career span of over 30 years, working both locally and nationally. Mr. Knowles holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is currently Vice Chairman of Mercy Health Partners and a member of the Performing Arts Authority. Previous community commitments include serving as the President of the Country Club of Scranton, President of Metro Action in Scranton and President of the Waverly Community House. Additionally, Mr. Knowles has held board positions at the Country Club of Scranton, Scranton Preparatory School, Junior Achievement, the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and the Scranton YMCA. Mr. Knowles also served on the Alumni Board of Directors at the College of the Holy Cross and on the Board of Trustees at Keystone College. [back to top]

James B. McDonough is President of Glenmaura, which specializes in land development and construction. In addition, Mr. McDonough is also an active partner in other ventures including real estate, publishing and residential construction.  

Mr. McDonough received a BS Degree in Accounting at the University of Scranton in 1972 and has been a Certified Public Accountant in New York and Pennsylvania. He is a former Partner of Parente Randolph. Mr. McDonough is currently Chairman of the Lackawanna County Performing Arts Authority, Member of the Board of Trustees of the J. Wood Platt Scholarship Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of Scranton Preparatory School and a committee member of other community organizations.[back to top]   

Richard F. Mebane currently serves as President and CEO of the Company and the Bank.  Mr. Mebane   has served as President of the Bank since 1999.  Mr. Mebane is a financial services professional with over 35 years of related experience, including several roles at the executive management level. In 1999, along with the executive management of GUARD Financial Group, Mr. Mebane conceived of and opened GUARD Security Bank.  

Previously, Mr. Mebane served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Franklin First Savings Bank, a $1.5 billion subsidiary of ONBANCorp, Inc.  Mr. Mebane previously was Chief Financial Officer for Franklin First and was instrumental in facilitating the sale of the organization to ONBANCorp which, in turn, was acquired by First Empire State Corporation in 1998. 

Prior to entering the banking industry in 1987, Mr. Mebane was a Consultant and Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Laventhol and Horwath.  A cum laude graduate of Rider College with a degree in finance, Mr. Mebane has participated in advanced management training courses offered through the Harvard University Law School. He also received additional education through the American Bankers Association School of Commercial Lending and Graduate School of Commercial Lending. He has taught and/or lectured at Wilkes University, the University of Delaware and the University of Wisconsin.[back to top]  

John P. Rodgers,, is with the firm of Caverly, Shea, Phillips and Rodgers where he primarily devotes his time to civil litigation, real estate and commercial transactions. Additionally he handles wills and estates, as well as commercial litigation. John was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Rising Star in both 2005 and 2006. Currently, Mr. Rodgers serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association. Mr. Rodgers is also the founder and president of Northeast Revenue Service, LLC which provides municipal and financial advisory Services. Under Mr. Rodgers’ leadership, Northeast Revenue Service was appointed by Luzerne County to perform all of the functions of and act as the County Tax Claim Bureau under the Real Estate Tax Sale Law for Luzerne County. Additionally, Mr. Rodgers is the managing Member of Royal Star Bus Lines, LLC, Royal Star Limo, LLC, Hummus Kings, LLC and is President of WAR Enterprises, Inc. trading and doing business as LizRick Travel. Mr. Rodgers is a graduate of Penn State University where he received an Honors Degree in Economics and is a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law where he received a Juris Doctorate. Mr. Rodgers is active in charitable organizations. Currently he serves as the President of the Board of Directors at the Helping Hands Society of Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill counties and is the organizer of the annual Christmas Party for the Foster Care Program at the Catholic Social Services. Mr. Rodgers is an active member of St. Gabriel’s Church where he served as a member of the Pastoral Planning Committee and Parish Implementation Team as well as part of the Bishop’s Call to Holiness Program. [back to top]  

Robert L. Tambur is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tammac Holdings Corporation, which Mr. Tambur founded in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1976 to specialize in financing programs for the manufactured housing industry. Today Tammac is a diversified financial services company that owns and operates three businesses, including Tammac Manufactured Housing, Tammac Credit Services and Tiger Abstract, Inc.  

Tammac’s professional staff is comprised of individuals recruited from the banking, automotive and finance industries. Mr. Tambur began his career in the financial services industry in 1963 with Yegen Associates. After five years, he moved to Sebrite Corporation, where he served as Vice President for the next eight years.  

Mr. Tambur graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1960 with a degree in Education. Prior to entering the financial world, he taught on the high school level in North Dakota.[back to top]   

W. Kirk Wycoff is currently Chairman of Continental Bank. Through his leadership, Continental has grown from zero to eight locations with more on the way, and $212 million in total assets within the first 18-months of operation.  

Prior to his position at Continental Bank, he served as Chief Operating Officer for O’Neill Properties Group, a real estate firm known for converting abandoned properties into viable communities. Mr. Wycoff has more than 25 years of banking and finance experience.  

Before joining O’Neill Properties, Mr. Wycoff was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Progress Financial Corporation and Progress Bank, a leading banking and financial services company, where he was responsible for building a small regional bank into one of the Philadelphia area’s top financial institutions. During his more than 12 years with Progress, the bank grew from $280 million in assets and seven offices, to more than $1.2 billion in assets and 21 offices, and successfully expanded its product offering to become a full service financial institution.  

Prior to leading Progress Bank, Mr. Wycoff enjoyed a successful career in the Philadelphia banking community and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crusader Savings Bank, which he transformed into a profitable mortgage lender. He also held senior level positions with Girard Bank and Philadelphia Savings Fund Society, and is a successful private real estate investor.  

Mr. Wycoff earned his BA degree in Business Administration from Franklin & Marshall College. As an active member of the community, Mr. Wycoff serves on the Board of Directors of a number of non-profit corporations. Two examples of this include the Continental Foundation which raises money for less privileged children; and the Lincoln Center in Bridgeport, PA, which helps to provide alterative education programs for troubled youth and helps families with life transitions.[back to top]  

Executive Management Team:

Richard F. Mebane currently serves as President and CEO of the Company and the Bank.  Mr. Mebane   has served as President of the Bank since 1999.  Mr. Mebane is a financial services professional with over 35 years of related experience, including several roles at the executive management level. In 1999, along with the executive management of GUARD Financial Group, Mr. Mebane conceived of and opened GUARD Security Bank.  

Previously, Mr. Mebane served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Franklin First Savings Bank, a $1.5 billion subsidiary of ONBANCorp, Inc.  Mr. Mebane previously was Chief Financial Officer for Franklin First and was instrumental in facilitating the sale of the organization to ONBANCorp which, in turn, was acquired by First Empire State Corporation in 1998. 

Prior to entering the banking industry in 1987, Mr. Mebane was a Consultant and Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Laventhol and Horwath.  A cum laude graduate of Rider College with a degree in finance, Mr. Mebane has participated in advanced management training courses offered through the Harvard University Law School. He also received additional education through the American Bankers Association School of Commercial Lending and Graduate School of Commercial Lending. He has taught and/or lectured at Wilkes University, the University of Delaware and the University of Wisconsin.[back to top]   

Kathy A. Price is Senior Vice President, CFO  for Franklin Security Bank. She is an accounting and finance professional with over 30 years experience in financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, accounting operations and management of those respective areas.  

Ms. Price has served in executive level positions for a number of community and regional banks in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Included in her extensive resume are the positions of Controller and Treasurer at Landmark Community Bank and Vice President, Corporate Banking Administration Officer and Vice President, Market Finance Executive at PNC Bank.  

Ms. Price holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Scranton graduating Magna Cum Laude and a MBA in Accounting also from the University of Scranton. In addition, Ms. Price is a member of the Adjunct Faculty of Keystone College where she has taught Accounting. She also serves on the Board of Directors of United Neighborhood Centers and is a member of the Finance and Personnel committees.[back to top]   

Joseph E. Bonsick is Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer for Franklin Security Bank. Mr. Bonsick joins Franklin Security Bank with 20 plus years of commercial banking expertise in both Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.  

Previously he held several senior level positions including senior relationship manager and market executive officer for both large financial institutions and smaller community banks. He has extensive experience in business banking and lending practice which require complex business solutions.  

Mr. Bonsick is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Rochester. He currently serves as a Director for the NEPA Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Scranton Tomorrow, and the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Corporation. Mr. Bonsick previously served as a director at the Scranton Chamber of Commerce where he continues to actively participate.[back to top]   

Joseph G. Ward is Senior Vice President of Consumer Lending for Franklin Security Bank. He has served with the Bank since 1999 and has over 30 years experience in the indirect auto loans business, is responsible for oversight of production, loan quality and servicing for the Bank’s $158 million managed receivables portfolio. He directly manages the lending and collections functions and is responsible for the secondary marketing of the indirect auto product.  

Mr. Ward came to the Bank in 1999 from M&T Bank, where he was in charge of lease underwriting for Highland Lease (a subsidiary). Prior to M&T Bank, Mr. Ward managed the consumer lending department of Franklin First Savings Bank.  Before joining Franklin First, Mr. Ward held lending positions with Philadelphia Savings Fund Society of Philadelphia and Merchants Bank of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of King’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.[back to top]   

Richard D. Drust is Vice President of Business Banking & Deposit Services for Franklin Security Bank. Mr. Drust brings extensive experience in leadership and management of the financial services business to his position along with over 23 years of proven ability managing sales staff and leading management teams. Mr. Drust brings a significant depth of experience and expertise in the financial services business.  

Prior to joining Franklin Security Bank, Mr. Drust was Vice President, Sales Manager for one of M&T Bank’s Wilkes-Barre Area branches. While there, he had direct responsibility for managing sales in retail banking, business banking, investments and insurance. Prior to his position at M&T Bank, Mr. Drust was Multi-Site Area, District Manager for Franklin First Savings Bank, where he was responsible for the management of seven full service branches with oversight of retail activities. He was instrumental in developing branch sales and marketing initiatives to support deposit acquisition.  

Mr. Drust is a graduate of the Institute of Financial Education. He is an active member of the community participating as a board member for the Arc of Luzerne County, cofounder of the Kingston Area Merchants & Professional Association, and is involved in numerous other community and civic organizations.[back to top]

John J. Jablowski, Jr.  is Vice President, Government Financial Services Officer for Franklin Security Bank.  Mr. Jablowski brings over 25 years of experience in government management to Franklin having managed several state wide government banking portfolios for regional financial institutions. 

 Mr. Jablowski served as Mayor of Ashley Borough and was a District Director of the Pennsylvania Majority Policy Chairman and a Congressional Assistant.  He is a graduate of the Leadership Lackawanna program and also served as Executive Director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NEPA and was the Development Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Marywood University and a B.A. in Political Science from Penn State University with a Minor in Pennsylvania Studies.  Currently Jablowski is a member of council in Wilkes-Barre Township, is active with the Government Relations committee of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association and serves as an instructor in American Government at Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus.[back to top]
 Richard C. McGee is Vice President, Senior Credit Officer for Franklin Security Bank. Mr. McGee comes to Franklin Security Bank with over thirty years of management experience with large regional financial institutions. He possesses a track record of success in managing a growing regional commercial loan department with proven success in implementing new policies and procedures during periods of conversion due to mergers and acquisitions. He has an extensive range of experience in commercial lending including middle market, commercial real estate and small business.  

Mr. McGee previously held the position of Vice President, Group Manager Northeast Pa. Region for M&T Bank. In his position he was responsible for all facets of a large and growing diversified middle market and commercial real estate loan portfolio.  

Prior to his position at M&T Bank, Mr. McGee was Senior Vice President, Manager Commercial Lending Department for Franklin First Savings Bank where he maintained total management responsibility for middle market, commercial real estate and small business lending. He also held executive level positions at OnBank and Security Trust Company.  

Mr.McGee attended Muskingum College, studying Business and Administration and is a graduate of The School of Commercial Lending from the University of Buffalo.[back to top]  

Vincent J. Nobile is Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer for Franklin Security Bank.  Mr. Nobile will work out of Luzerne County but he will remain available to serve clients from surrounding counties.  Mr. Nobile joins Franklin Security Bank with 38 years of commercial banking expertise.  Previously he held a senior level position at a major financial institution as they went through various mergers over the course of his career.    

Mr. Nobile currently serves as a Board Member of the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and is a member and former Treasurer, of the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the Risk Management Association.  Mr. Nobile holds a bachelors degree in Economics from King’s College. [back to top]

Margaret A. Steeleis Vice President/Marketing and Administration Officer.  Margaret Steele has worked locally and nationally in the Marketing and Business Development arena for over twenty five years in both corporate and non-profit settings.  Ms. Steele has worked in the banking industry for over eight years and specifically at Franklin Security Bank for the last two years.  Margaret is responsible for the bank’s marketing and public relations functions as well as facilities management and development and the corporate administrative functions.  Additionally, Margaret oversees customer service, outsourced advertising as well as customer relationship data management and fulfillment.  Ms. Steele is a graduate of Salem College in North Carolina and holds a bachelors degree in Organizational Psychology.[back to top] 

  • Web Banking
  • Business Lending Options