Our Community

January 31, 2022

Walden Savings Bank Appoints Norman “Marti” Sassi as Chairman of its Board of Directors

Walden Savings Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Norman “Marti” Sassi as the new chairman of its Board of Directors.

Sassi was initially elected to the Board in 2018 after more than 33 years as the Bank’s external auditor. He also serves on the Walden Savings Bank Examining and Information Technology Steering Committee.

“Marti has proven time and again what a valuable asset he is,” said Walden Savings Bank President and CEO Derrik Wynkoop. “He’s an engaging, effective leader both professionally and in his community. We have no doubt his skills and expertise will benefit and best serve our customers as we continue to grow.”

Sassi brings more than 36 years of auditing, accounting, and tax-planning experience to his role. He is a tenured partner at Nugent & Haeussler, P.C., based in Montgomery, New York, and led the accounting firm as Managing Partner from 2005 through 2017.  

“It has been an honor and privilege serving on the Board the past four years,” Sassi said. “As Chairman, I look forward to continuing my commitment to the Bank’s mission to support the local community and serve our customers to the best of our ability.”

Sassi is a member of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and has held all officer positions on the chapter’s Board of Directors. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In the community, Sassi has served on the Board of Directors for Occupations, Inc. New Dynamics Corp and the Middletown Community Health Center.

Sassi succeeds current Board of Directors Chairman Jeffrey D. Crist, the first-ever board chairman for Walden Savings Bank. “We are very excited for Marti to assume this new leadership position and look forward to his contributions,” said Crist, current Chairman of the Walden Savings Bank Board of Directors. “Marti had been a valuable asset to the Bank as their external auditor for over 30 years. His vast knowledge of Walden Savings Bank and his experience as a leader, both in the workplace and within the community will benefit the bank as we continue to grow to better serve our customers’ needs.”

Crist held the position since 2011 and has served on the Board of Directors since 1994. During his tenure as board chair, he has helped guide the bank through countless new strategic initiatives, the establishment of Walden Investment Services and the bank’s first Loan Production Office in Beacon, new branch openings and a system conversion.  Aside from his extensive involvement at Walden Savings Bank, Crist is also active in the community. He has been a member of the Town of Montgomery Planning Board for twenty years, including four years as chairman, and serves as the chairman of the Town of Montgomery IDA. Crist is also President of Brothers Orchard, a farm business that has been run by his family for five generations.