Chesapeake Bank recently announced a pair of personnel changes—the appointment of Amber Buker as its new Vice President Senior Innovation Strategist, and the addition of Ron Andrews to the bank’s board of directors.
Buker
In her senior VP role, Buker will support driving digital strategy and innovation for the bank’s customers, a release stated.
Most recently, Buker worked with a chartered financial institution to build Totem, a digital banking and payments platform designed specifically for Native American tribes and their people. Buker’s work with Totem led her to become the second Indigenous woman in the United States to raise a multimillion-dollar venture funding round.
Before founding Totem, she was a financial/technical advisor to bank executives, leveraging her skills in innovation and strategy. She created the FinXTech Connect platform for Bank Director and was Director of Insights for the Alloy Labs Alliance, where she provided actionable insights and strategic guidance to member banks.
“Amber brings great insights and experience as a proven builder and innovator,” said D.J. Seeterlin, Senior Vice President Chief Innovation Strategy Officer at Chesapeake Bank. “We are excited about her ability to further our culture of innovation and customer-focused solutions.”
In her new role at Chesapeake Bank, Buker will lead efforts in researching new technologies and industry trends. She will collaborate with various departments to offer creative solutions and drive positive change, ensuring that the bank remains at the forefront of digital strategy and innovation.
An attorney, former magazine contributor, and occasional podcast host, Amber has interviewed hundreds of leaders in banking, fintech, and government. She regularly speaks for national audiences, sharing insights from her extensive experience and the lessons she has learned from industry leaders.
Andrews
Andrews is an experienced senior bank operations leader who has built and led banking businesses and operations in the United States and the United Kingdom during the course of his 37-year career. He has served on Chesapeake Bank’s Technology Advisory Board since 2016. He is an Executive Partner in the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary. He also serves on the Williamsburg Police Citizens Advisory Committee as well as the Regional Alumni Board of the College of William and Mary.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ron Andrews to our board. His impressive banking tenure and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental as we navigate the future,” said Jeff Szyperski, CEO of Chesapeake Financial Shares and Chesapeake Bank. “Ron’s expertise and insights are highly anticipated, and we are excited about the significant contributions he will bring to our bank.”
Andrews’ tenure with Signet Bank/Capital One spanned 22 years. Most notably, he led the design and formation of Capital One’s first major fraud prevention and detection operations. He led the start-up of Capital One’s first international site with the opening of a campus in Nottingham, England. Upon his return to the United States, as a Managing Vice President, Ron oversaw Capital One’s internet bank and operations, where deposits grew by $20 billion under his leadership.
After shifting to Citibank, he served as Managing Director and led Citi’s Global Fraud Operations for the Consumer and Small Business Banks, encompassing 3,500 employees, servicing 16 country markets.
Andrews received his B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary and his Master of Business Administration from Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Williamsburg.
Headquartered in Kilmarnock, Chesapeake Bank has 17 retail branches and business offices serving the Middle Peninsula, Williamsburg, Richmond, Chesterfield and Peninsula communities. Local branches include Mathews, Gloucester and Hayes. For more information, visit www.ches.bank.