MBA Press Release

Contact:
Mindy Lehman, Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Communications 
443-837-1613 /  mlehman@mdbankers.com

                           
Annapolis, MD (June 2, 2020) – Robert E. “BJ” Goetz, Jr., President and CEO of Middletown  Valley Bank, was elected 2020-2021 Chairman of the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) at MBA’s 125th Annual Meeting on June 2. In this role he will lead the Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee and work directly with the MBA’s President and CEO on all matters relating to the banking industry.

For his 12-month term of office, Goetz will lead the MBA in achieving its mission of promoting the strength and success of Maryland banks and bankers. He will continue the Association’s positive momentum through engagement of banks across Maryland; being the best advocate for the industry at all levels of government, and equipping members for success in a rapidly changing world through timely and relevant education programs and services.

According to Goetz, “Today marks the beginning of the Maryland Bankers Association’s 125^th Anniversary celebration.  It is an unbelievable honor to be elected to lead our Association as we reflect on the role of the banking industry in our state since 1896, acknowledge the tremendous support banks are providing today as they assist their consumer and business clients during the COVID-19 health and economic emergency and look ahead to a future of economic hope and prosperity for the next 125 years. 

These recent times have shown us more than ever the importance of engagement with our members. Over all of the years since our founding, the MBA has been there to support our industry and Maryland’s banks because together we are stronger and better-equipped to fulfil our leadership roles in our communities.

Most of all I would like to thank MBA’s membership - all banks serving Maryland communities and leading the way for their clients.  Truly all 26,000 banking professionals serving Maryland as the “Economic First Responders” have shown the financial stability to reinforce that, even in this, we will “Be Okay.””

According to the Association’s President and CEO, Kathleen Murphy, "BJ Goetz is leading one of Maryland’s most successful and fastest-growing banks. His depth and breadth of experience in the Association and as a banker have enabled him to make a lasting impact in the communities he serves. Through his election as MBA’s 125th Chairman, bankers across Maryland acknowledge the deep respect they have for him as a banking leader as we address the unique role of banks in helping their communities through today’s challenges and embark on the next 125 years.  I am very excited to work side-by-side with BJ during such an important milestone.” 

Robert “BJ” E. Goetz, Jr. joined Middletown Valley Bank in 2012. He serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. He also serves as vice chairman of the board of Millennium Financial Group, Inc. (Mlend). Before joining the Bank, Mr. Goetz was a Commercial Banking executive with Susquehanna Bank. Mr. Goetz has over 20 years of banking experience. Mr. Goetz serves as Development Council chair and as a director of the Meritus Medical Center. He is a member of the Washington County Planning Commission and the Greater Hagerstown Committee and serves on its Executive Committee. Mr. Goetz received a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University. In addition, Mr. Goetz serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Banking School. He is also a graduate of the Maryland Banking School and the Maryland Banking School for Advanced Management.

Also elected to the Board’s Executive Committee as Chairman-Elect is William J. Pasenelli, Vice Chairman & CEO, Community Bank of the Chesapeake; as Vice Chairman, Ramon Looby, Senior Vice President, Public Policy Lead, Bank of America and as Immediate Past Chairman Carissa Rodeheaver, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer for First United Bank & Trust.    

For a complete listing of the MBA Board of Directors click here:                        

 Founded in 1896, the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) is the only Maryland-based trade group representing banks in the state.  MBA's member banks employ about 28,266 banking professionals in nearly 1,490 branch offices across the state.