Business Banking That Banks On You

To Jeff Skocik, lending is both a science and an art.

Luckily, he’s skilled at both. 

As Brentwood Bank Chief Lending Officer, Jeff enjoys parsing the data and crunching the numbers that help his customers best achieve their goals. That’s the science. But he equally revels in the communication that collectively helps he and his customers arrive at those goals in the first place. That’s the art. 

Taken together, Jeff’s consultative approach to lending is greatly appreciated by the many real estate developers, construction companies and business professionals he serves. Of course, Jeff wouldn’t do it any other way. To him, understanding the unique financial needs of each client then finding the right mix of Brentwood Bank’s products and services to meet them is what his job is all about. Or, as Jeff so often says, “Many lenders can get you a loan. Our goal is to get you the right loan.”

When not helping exceed customers’ needs, Jeff enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family. A passionate sportsman, Jeff also takes pleasure fishing and hunting in the many exceptional outdoor settings Western PA has to offer.   

Brad’s the kind of unique, goal-oriented individual who set a personal goal to play golf every month of the year; the streak currently stands at six-plus years, even in thirty-five-degree weather. He’s also the kind of commercial loan manager who will go the extra mile, even if it means conducting a closing for a customer in the hospital after the customer’s wife gave birth to their second child.

When he’s not closing loans in local hospitals, he’s doing the very same thing in our community bank. As the leader of a commercial loan team, Brad savors the opportunity to help our customers achieve their dreams of purchasing property.

Not only that, but he personally works with each loan from start to finish, staying in contact with each customer even after the ink on the loan signatures are long dry. That’s just how Brad does business.

As a student of baseball, Joe Verduci is fond of saying, “You can’t score if you never leave first base.” To him, it’s more than a quote. It’s a philosophy for success that he’s been helping his business clients – and his community – apply his entire career.

The way Joe sees it, every Brentwood Bank business customer strives to reach the next level and his goal is to help them get there.  So Joe listens to his clients and develops the solutions that are right for them. A veteran of large and small banks alike, Joe believes the spirit of community runs deep at Brentwood Bank, empowering him to pay time and attention to clients in ways that are increasingly rare at larger financial institutions.

Of course, Joe’s own commitment to community runs deep, too. Joe is the current president of the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary, is currently serving on council in Bridgeville Borough and is a former treasurer of the Southwest Communities Chamber of Commerce. Plus, he’s been deeply involved in sharing his lifelong love of baseball with local youth, helping teach them the game – and the important life lessons that come with it.

A proud father of three children, Joe spends his free time enjoying the company of his wife and the couple's many friends. Just what you'd expect from a man who cherishes his connections with people and a place called home.

Hugh Connolly got an early taste of banking – and liked it. Growing up, his best friend’s father worked in the banking industry and said it was a job he loved because he was able to make a difference in people’s lives. Hugh was called to do the same.

As a young banker, he earned his investment license, won many sales awards and eventually landed a management position at a large commercial bank. But in spite of his successes, he never really truly felt like he was making a difference until he started working for a community bank.

As a Relationship Banker at Brentwood Bank, Hugh now spends his days on the front lines, helping people get out of debt, save for their future, achieve their dreams or grow a business. He’s involved with the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and the Brentwood Business Owners Association. And takes time to enjoy all that Pittsburgh has to offer with his wife and two young kids.

Hugh puts a lot of stock in the words of Abraham Lincoln: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Hugh Connolly makes the most of every day. He appreciates the good in life and takes nothing for granted.

At Brentwood Bank, we truly believe that offering the right solutions is a very personal business.

One of the biggest believers in building relationships with our customers, both personally and professionally, is Jesse Hannan.

As a great sailor once said, “I am what I am, and that's all that I am.” The words of that spinach-eating philosopher ring true to Jesse, who believes in staying true to himself and his customers.

One of those customers started doing business with a modest loan. Today, his business with our bank has grown to over a million dollars, one modest transaction at a time. When Jesse asked this customer why he chose to work with Brentwood Bank, he replied that others made big promises, yet changed terms once the transactions progressed. Over the years, he’d lost faith in the banking industry but was ecstatic to finally discover a lender that delivered on promises.

When Jesse isn’t helping his customers, he keeps on giving at home by cooking up gourmet meals for family and friends. That means that your new relationship with him just may have some tasty benefits beyond improving your business. 

Upon graduation, Jennifer decided she’d take a job as a part-time teller until she figured out what to do next. Sixteen years later, she can’t imagine being anything other than a banker and a valuable resource for her clients.

The quote that guides her career sums it up best: “People don’t do business with companies; they do business with people.” Jennifer is on a first-name basis with her customers not because of any corporate mandate. She just naturally treats people like family. 

Not surprisingly, Jennifer has a long list of accomplishments, including being a Junior Achievement Young Professionals Inspiring Success in Banking and Finance award winner, the Women’s Business Network Woman of the Year and winning awards for Pittsburgh Business Choice Best in Business Banking and Pittsburgh Business Choice Best Networking Group. But she’ll admit the feeling she gets from helping customers is her highest honor.

When she’s not making new connections, Jennifer volunteers and gives back to her community. And she’s devoted to her 15-month-old son, who already loves to explore the great outdoors. Apparently, making connections just runs in the family.

Wondering what makes Brian Hulme an all-star commercial lender? Consider the fact that he’s also an avid supporter of youth sports and volunteers as a baseball coach in his spare time. An unusual connection? Not really.

He likes to step up to the plate and make things happen.

Brian enjoys meeting people and helping them achieve their goals. He works with local business owners every step of the way, assessing their needs, developing strategies and making adjustments as new situations arise.

He finds inspiration in Babe Ruth’s famous quote: “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” According to Brian, “The same applies to business.” He tells his clients that you can’t let the fear of failure prevent you from trying because nothing can replace the knowledge that comes from failure.

As an authority on small business loans, Brian understands the changing economic environment and the varying needs of local businesses. And he does what it takes to help them succeed.

Warm days on the golf course, relaxing vacations at the beach and special time with his grandchildren keep Brian at the top of his game. And ready to pitch in when the next commercial lending challenge comes his way.

Bob’s very first job in banking was helping customers understand their loans and deposit accounts. No matter how far his career has taken him, he’s never forgotten the importance of that one-on-one connection.

Today, Bob helps investors finance commercial real estate purchases and construction projects. But no matter how large the account, he remembers that it all comes down to the way you treat other people.

Bob also believes in building solutions that are more creative that what other banks offer. As such, he strives to create customized solutions that fit his customers’ exact needs.

His goal? To become the first person you contact for financing.

When not working, Bob enjoys crafting one-of-a-kind projects on his woodworking bench. True to form, he’s moved from power tools to artisan techniques, using hand tools to build creations with more character. Like Bob, they’re one of a kind. 

Joe Valorie has over 25 years of experience in banking and currently serves as a Treasury Management Banker at Brentwood Bank. Passionate about community service, he volunteers with Urban Impact, assisting students with mock interviews and financial literacy. He also dedicates time to painting senior citizens' homes through Angels in the Garden and serves on the board for WEEE. Outside of work and volunteering, Joe enjoys coaching his nephew's baseball team and spending quality time with his 5-year-old son, who is gearing up for his first season of tee ball.