Hanover Bank’s new president brings four decades of Long Island banking experience
When Kevin O’Connor accepted the role of president of Hanover Community Bank, he wasn’t looking for a final stop before retirement. He was looking for another opportunity to serve the place he’s called home for most of his life. “I’m 63 years old, and I want to be doing something I like to do,” O’Connor. . . Read More
When Kevin O’Connor accepted the role of president of Hanover Community Bank, he wasn’t looking for a final stop before retirement. He was looking for another opportunity to serve the place he’s called home for most of his life. “I’m 63 years old, and I want to be doing something I like to do,” O’Connor said. “I want to be working for people, with people and with customers that I want to spend time with. ”Hanover Bancorp announcedlast month that O’Connor joined the company on July 27 as president of both the bank and its parent company. He will focus on expanding the Mineola-based community bank’s presence across Long Island by strengthening client relationships and pursuing new business opportunities. For O’Connor, the position represents more than a career move. It is another chapter in nearly four decades of banking on Long Island. Born to a family with roots in Brooklyn and Queens, O’Connor moved to Farmingville at age 9. He attended Suffolk County Community College, earned his degree from Adelphi University, and began his career at what is now KPMG before entering banking in 1987. “This is my fourth stop,” he said. “I’ve spent my life on Long Island. ”Most recently, O’Connor served as Long Island market president for Valley Bank after leading Bridgehampton National Bank and its successor, Dime Community Bank, for nearly two decades. He said Hanover appealed to him because of its local focus and long-standing relationship with Chairman and CEO Michael Puorro. He believes community banks remain uniquely positioned to serve Long Island’s entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses. “Most of the businesses on Long Island don’t need Chase or Bank of America,” he said. “Banks our size can provide everything they need and do it with experienced people. ”Read More:Tuesday’s Children rebrands as Tuesday’s Promise ahead of 25thanniversaryThroughout his career, O’Connor said the moments he remembers most are helping businesses weather difficult times, including leading Bridgehampton through the 2008 financial crisis and assisting companies during the Covid-19 pandemic through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. “I think one of the important things about banking is that you want to be a trusted adviser to your clients,” he said. Outside the office, O’Connor serves on several nonprofit boards, including Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, HIA-LI and Suffolk County Community College. He said seeing volunteers improve their communities inspires him to give back. The same relationship-first philosophy O’Connor brings to banking carries over to his personal life. Rather than golf courses or country clubs, he said his favorite place is home in Great River, where he enjoys boating, cooking and spending time with his three sons, their families and his grandson. “You’ll often find the eight of us in my backyard cooking something,” he said. Despite frequent predictions that Long Island’s best days are behind it, O’Connor remains optimistic. “Every five years we talk about the death of Long Island,” he said. “It hasn’t happened yet. ”He points to the region’s strong schools, health care, diverse communities and entrepreneurial spirit as reasons he believes its future remains bright. “I’m a banker,” he said with a laugh. “You have to be glass-half-full. ”