Franklin Security Bank Appoints Four New Directors

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (June 3, 2011)   –   Franklin Security Bank is pleased to announce that William J. Cunningham, Gerard M. Karam,                  Robert J. Knowles, Jr. and John P. Rodgers have been newly appointed to its Board of Directors. The new directors attended the most recent shareholders meeting held on June 2nd.
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.
Gerard Michael 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.
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.
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.
“Franklin Security Bank continues its expansion strategy in Northeastern Pennsylvania with the appointment of four new directors”, said Richard Mebane, President and CEO. We are firmly committed to this community we call home and have added directors to assist us as we further support businesses with an array of business banking products and services and lending opportunities. We are confident their counsel, contributions, energy and effort will take Franklin Security Bank to the next level.
Franklin Security Bank, a Federally Chartered Savings Bank, was established as a subsidiary of Guard Financial Group in 1999 and then acquired in 2007 by a group of investors with local ties to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Franklin Security Bank’s total assets size is $203 million. The bank serves over 15,000 customers. Franklin Security bank is one of the largest providers of automobile loans in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Franklin Security bank recently moved its corporate headquarters and business banking center to 1065 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre and opened a new banking center at 139 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.
For more information about Franklin Security Bank contact: Margaret Steele, Vice President Marketing and Administration at 825-9800 or MSteele@FranklinSecurityBank.net