Meet Our Business Lenders

Michael Mahlert started off his career with a large corporate bank before learning that his passion was rooted in being a community banker, someone who could help local business owners and families. That drive has helped Michael unlock potential in his community for over 20 years. He sees himself “as an advisor to people, not just a banker.” Now leading both commercial lending teams at bankHometown and bankESB, he has built a team that shares that mindset. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Master of Business Administration from Nichols College, and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association (ABA) Stonier Graduate School of Banking Program. Outside of work, he has served on numerous boards and was a mentor in programs such as Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll). Michael is devoted to his family; his wife, four children, and pup, Vince. He enjoys traveling throughout the United States and focusing on his family.

With more than two decades of business banking and commercial lending experience under his belt, Mike Oleksak recognizes the importance of listening intently to his customers so he can best help unlock their potential. “It’s about much more than just closing their loan,” Mike says. “It’s about being able to provide them with a financing solution that helps their business endeavors succeed!” Mike joined bankESB in 2018 from Westfield Bank, where he was vice president, commercial lending officer. Before that, he was assistant vice president, business banking with United Bank and relationship manager at CoBank. Mike earned both a bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and is passionate about giving back to the community. He currently serves as a board member of the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, a board member and treasurer of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, and treasurer of Easthampton Neighbors, Inc. Mike grew up in Southampton, where he says he opened his first savings account with bankESB! He now lives in West Springfield with this wife and their son and daughter. Outside of work, Mike says he enjoys skiing, cycling, and coaching his kids’ sports teams.

Over the past 30 years, Melissa Soto has garnered an impressive array of experience in banking and commercial lending. In fact, she’s demonstrated that she’s well-versed in a variety of lending types, with a concentration in commercial and industrial lending to help her clients unlock their full potential. In 2016, Melissa joined bankESB from TD Bank, where she was vice president, portfolio manager. Before that, she was portfolio manager at Bank of Western Massachusetts and assistant manager of the Loan Department of Hampden Bank. Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree from American International College and an associate degree from Springfield Community Technical College. When not at work, she gives back to the community as a board member of the Westfield Boys & Girls Club and a Walk Committee member with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Melissa lives in Westfield and loves both hiking and photography.

Joe Williams takes unlocking his customers’ potential very seriously. “Being up front, honest, and transparent is the best way to build a trusting relationship that lasts,” he says. So, it’s no wonder that, every day, Joe puts this philosophy of “always doing right by the customer” and his more than a decade’s worth of commercial real estate and commercial and industrial lending experience to work for his business customers. Joe joined bankESB in 2023 from PeoplesBank, where he served as assistant vice president, business banking officer. Before that, he was assistant vice president, credit officer at United Bank and commercial credit analyst with TD Bank. Joe earned a master’s degree from Bay Path University and a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University. Outside of work, he is president of the East Longmeadow Baseball Association and a board member of the East Longmeadow Housing Authority. Joe grew up in Westfield, but now calls East Longmeadow home, with his wife and two sons. He enjoys spending free time with his family including coaching his kids’ sports teams, hiking, snowboarding, going to concerts and sporting events, and generally anything that keeps him and his family active.

Chris Scott is a jack of all trades when it comes to commercial lending. With formal credit training through TD Bank University, Chris has developed an understanding of commercial and industrial (C&I) lending that drives his passion for business. He enjoys digging into financial statements to identity trends while conversing with business owners to understand their unique needs and how to best assist with continued growth. In addition to C&I lending, Chris maintains a strong background in investment real estate for both existing properties and development projects. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing and skiing and looks forward to planning golf trips which have included Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Carnoustie, TPC Sawgrass, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, and Streamsong. Chris is also an avid Patriots and Celtics fan, and loves spending time with friends and family, including his nephew, Vinny.

Tim Czerniewjewski is passionate about understanding what makes his customers tick. Throughout his more than 15 years in banking, he’s made it his mission to get to know their business, their industry, and their business model so that he can fully understand their financing needs and what it takes to unlock their full potential. In 2016 he joined bankESB from TD Bank, where he held several roles including credit analyst team lead. Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western New England University and is active in the community, serving as a Finance Committee volunteer with the Westfield Evangelical Free Church and previously as a member of the Programming Subcommittee of the Springfield Boys & Girls Club. Tim lives in Westfield with his wife and their two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys high intensity physical exercise, reading classic literature, playing chess, and cooking. In fact, Tim claims that his most highly rated dish is his meatloaf. “Best you’ve ever tried!” he says.