Our Team

Thomas W. Wirth, CFA

Thomas W. Wirth was promoted to Executive Vice President, Division Manager of the Wealth Management Group at Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2015. He began his career at Chemung Canal in 1987 and joined the Investment Department in 1990 as a Portfolio Manager and was elected Trust Investment Officer in 1993. In 1996, Mr. Wirth became the Finance/Asset/Liability Manager and Bank Portfolio Manager and was elected Assistant Vice President. In 1998, he was elected Vice President and in 1999 returned to the Investment Department as the Investment Services Department Manager and Senior Investment Officer, and was promoted in 2004 to Senior Vice President.

Mark Lasch, CTFA

Mark Lasch joined Capital Bank in July 2017 as a Senior Vice President and Regional Executive of the bank’s Capital Region Wealth Management Group.  Mr. Lasch was most recently a Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer with Key Private Bank and has nearly 35 years of wealth management and estate planning experience.  Before his nearly 24 years at Key, Mr. Lasch held positions at Norstar Bank and Fleet Bank while also spending 12 years employed in the surety bond industry.  Mr. Lasch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York.  He grew up in the Albany area and presently serves on the boards of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, where he previously chaired the Finance Committee, and the Finance Committee of 15-LOVE.  He is a past Trustee, past Treasurer, and past Vice President of the Fort Orange Club in Albany and he currently serves as the club’s President. Mr. Lasch earned his Certificated Trust & Financial Advisor (CFTA) designation in 1999 and has successfully completed the Cannon Financial Institute’s Advanced Planning Program.    

J. Edmond Morton, IV, CTFA

Ed Morton was named Binghamton Regional Wealth Management Group Executive in 2012 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2015. He joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2009 with 15 years of experience in the wealth management field, mainly in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Morton held positions at Sovereign Bank Private Client Services as Vice President and Market Manager; Bank of America Wealth Management as Vice President and Team Leader; and BNY/Mellon Wealth Management as Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager. Mr. Morton earned his B.S. degree in Business Management from Cornell University. He currently serves as Board Member and Treasurer of the UHS Foundation, Board Member and Treasurer of the Binghamton Club, Board Member and Treasurer of The Edwin A. Link Foundation, Trustee and Finance Commissioner of the Village of Owego, Board Member of the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, and as Trust Officer of the Fannie C. Hyde Charitable Trust.  

Patrick T. Ward

Patrick T. Ward joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in July 2018 as a Prestige Banker for the Wealth Management Division. Mr. Ward previously held positions in New York City as a Stock Broker with CitiCorp, and a Commodities Broker with both Dean Witter Discover and Paine Webber. He also worked at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as the Assistant Vice President of Commodities. Mr. Ward earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Syracuse University, with a secondary major in Marketing. He currently holds a Certified Options Specialist designation from New York University.  Patrick is active in the community, serving as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Humane Society of Schuyler County.

Kevin W. Brimmer

Kevin W. Brimmer joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2011 as part of the Trust Operations Department within the Wealth Management Group. He joined the Investment Department in 2013 where he continues to serve as an Assistant Vice President and Investment Officer. Mr. Brimmer holds a B.S. in Business Economics from the State University of NY at Cortland. Mr. Brimmer currently serves on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee for the bank.

Peter Capozzola, CFA

Peter Capozzola joined Capital Bank in May of 2019 as the Senior Investment Officer in the bank’s Capital District. Mr. Capozzola was most recently a Vice President with Glens Falls National Bank and President of North Country Investment Advisers. Prior to Glens Falls National Bank, Peter held positions as a Credit Analyst with Key Bank; Oppenheimer & Company and Smith Barney. Peter holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation awarded by the CFA Institute. Peter earned an M.B.A in Portfolio and Investment Analysis from the Lubin Graduate School of Pace University and is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oneonta with a B.A. in Business-Economics. Peter is a Board Member of Shelters of Saratoga and currently serves as its President.  Peter is the past President of the JDRF Adirondack Chapter as well as a former Board member of the Children’s Museum of Saratoga.

Shelby M. Fay, CFA, CFP^®

Shelby M. Fay joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in the summer of 2015. Mr. Fay has served in several capacities within the bank.  Mr. Fay was promoted to Investment Officer in March of 2021.  He is primarily responsible for the discretionary management of investment portfolios, trusts, and IRAs. In addition to this, Mr. Fay is responsible for identifying equities and mutual funds that are candidates for inclusion in our Guidance Lists. Mr. Fay is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. He is a graduate of Elmira College where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Business Administration.

Michael D. Blatt, CFA, CMT

Michael D. Blatt joined Chemung Canal in 1999 as a Portfolio Manager, was elected Assistant Vice President in 2000, and was promoted to Vice- President, Senior Investment Officer in 2005. Mr. Blatt has more than 30 years of analytical and investment experience. He is a member of the Investment Team that reviews market conditions which result in strategic and tactical allocation changes to portfolios. He also manages the department that is responsible for carrying out the bulk of the Portfolio Management actions. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Charted Market Technician (CMT), holds a CFA UK Certificate in ESG Investing, and earned his B.S. in Finance with Highest Honors from Penn State and M.B.A. from Duke University – Fuqua School of Business.

Joseph J. Tascone

Joseph Tascone returned to Chemung Canal Trust Company in September 2015 as the Investment Services Department Manager andSenior Investment Officer of the Wealth Management Group. He previously served in that same position at CCTC from 1987 to 1999. In early 2024, he was promoted to Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Tascone has more than 42 years of investment experience, including six years as the Chief Investment Officer at Rockland Trust Company in Massachusetts, and has held senior investment management positions at Key Trust Company and Bank of America/U.S. Trust for national institutional accounts. He began his investment career in 1981 at M&T Bank in Buffalo, New York, and has also worked in the public accounting and insurance industries. Mr. Tascone received his Bachelors of Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Christopher K. Kelly, AIF^®, QPFC, QKA, CEBS

Christopher K. Kelly joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2011 as a Senior Retirement Plan Manager.  Mr. Kelly was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2013 and then to Vice President and Retirement Services Department Manager in 2014.  In 2018, Chris was promoted to Senior Vice President.  Mr. Kelly has been working with employer-sponsored retirement plans since 1996 with firms such as Aon Hewitt, Diversified Investment Advisors (Transamerica Retirement Services), Baker Tilly, and MetLife. Mr. Kelly holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Qualified Plan Financial Consultant, Qualified 401(k) Administrator, and Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designations. He earned an MBA from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. Mr., Kelly is a member of the American Retirement Association (ARA), American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), and the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA),   Mr. Kelly is a member of the Ithaca Rotary Club.

Lauren Zell, CPC, QPA, CEBS

Lauren Zell joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2013 as a Senior Retirement Plan Manager. Lauren is responsible for managing and delivering our suite of administration, consulting, investment, education, and compliance services to our retirement plan clients. She has more than 30 years experience in the retirement plan industry with The Standard and United Retirement Plan Consultants. Lauren holds the Certified Pension Consultant, Qualified Plan Administrator and Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designations. She earned a BA from Wesleyan University. Lauren is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). She holds appointments as a test judge and competition judge for figure skating and volunteers in the skating community in that capacity.

Hal D. Coghill, CLTC^®

Hal Coghill joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2022 as a Relationship Manager. Hal is responsible for proactive management of our IRA and Individual 403(b) clients offering administrative services, investment reviews, retirement income planning, and financial planning.  He spent part of his career in Information Technology with Cornell University and since 2017 has been a Financial Services Professional and Licensed Agent with firms such as New York Life Company and Equitable Advisors. Hal has a Certification in Long-Term Care and earned a BS in Mathematics from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is a volunteer firefighter and chief of his local fire department. Hal is a member of the Ithaca Rotary and is part of a regional BNI group.

Nathan Gage

Nathan Gage joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2019 as a Retirement Plan Advisor.  Mr. Gage is responsible for working with plan sponsors and plan participants to ensure optimal outcomes with their retirement plans.  Mr. Gage has over 20 years of experience in the retirement plan industry with firms such as C&N Bank, Seligman Data Corporation and Citistreet.  

Sara Soprano, QKA

Sara Soprano joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2014 and in 2015 she took on the role of a Recordkeeper in the Retirement Service Group.  Ms. Soprano currently is a Retirement Services Plan Manager.  Her responsibilities include managing and delivering our suite of administration, consulting, investment, education, and compliance services to retirement plan clients. 

Stephanie Martelli, QPA, QKC, QKA^®

Stephanie Martelli joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2022 as a Sr. Retirement Plan Manager.  Stephanie is responsible for managing and delivering our suite of administration, consulting, and compliance services to our retirement plan clients.  She has over 20 years of experience in the retirement plan industry, most recently with Retirement Solutions Specialists and Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. (BPAS).  Stephanie holds the Qualified Pension Administrator, Qualified 401(k) Consultant, and Qualified 401(k) Administrator designations.  She earned a BS from Rutgers University and is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA).  Stephanie is also a Notary Public for the State of New York.  

Connie Sibrava

Connie Sibrava joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2007 when the trust assets of Partners Trust Bank were acquired. She brings over 25 years of experience in the industry, beginning her career as the administrative assistant to the Senior Trust Officer at BSB Bank & Trust Company in 1998.  In 2021, Mrs. Sibrava was promoted to Jr. Relationship Manager and in 2024 was promoted to Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager.  Mrs. Sibrava serves as the Treasurer for Redeemer Missionary Church in Kirkwood in addition to serving on the Leadership Team at Living Water Baptist Church in Owego, where she serves as the church’s bookkeeper.

Heidi Wahl, CFP

Heidi Wahl joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2012. Prior to becoming a Relationship Manager in the Estate Administration department, she was a Financial Advisor in the CFS Group. Ms. Wahl has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Ms. Wahl holds a B.S. from Summit University. In 2010, she completed her Certified Financial Planner certification and now manages the Financial Planning Services offered by Chemung Canal Trust Company.

Catherine B. Crandall

Catherine Crandall joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2008 as Vice President / Sr. Trust Officer of the Trust & Estate Administration Department and was named Department Manager in 2009. Ms. Crandall previously worked for Registered Investment Advisor John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc. as an Account Executive and Chief Compliance Officer. She is licensed to practice law in New York, having earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Albany Law School at Union University, an LLM from Columbia University Law School, an LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law, an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester–William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration, and a B.A. from St. Lawrence University. In addition, Ms. Crandall is a Certified Trust & Financial Advisor and a Certified Financial Planner™. Ms. Crandall currently serves on the board of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester.

Michael L. Hart, CTFA

Michael Hart was promoted to Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager for the Wealth Management Group in 2021.  He began his career at Chemung Canal Trust Company in 2008 and joined the Wealth Management Group in 2009. In 2013, Mr. Hart was promoted to Associate Relationship Manager and then Assistant Vice President in 2014.  Mr. Hart holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Buffalo with a minor in Finance.  He earned his Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation in 2014.  Additionally, Mr. Hart serves as a board member and Treasurer of Woodbrook Assisted Living.

Austin Farrell

Austin Farrell joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in March of 2017. He brings over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry and has served in several capacities within the bank. Mr. Farrell was originally hired as a Branch Manager I in our Corning office. He was later promoted to Assistant Treasurer and Branch Manager III in our Horseheads office. In July of 2022, Mr. Farrell transitioned from our Retail Banking Division into his current role as an Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager in our Wealth Management Group. Mr. Farrell holds a B.S. in Business Administration from SUNY Geneseo. Additionally, Mr. Farrell serves as a board member and Treasurer of the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed.

Andrea McClure

Andrea McClure joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in December 2014 as Manager of Tax Services. She has more than 25 years of experience and previously was a Senior Tax Accountant at Market Street Trust Company. Ms. McClure has been preparing taxes for 20 years, and in March of 2011, she became an Enrolled Agent. This is the highest
credential the IRS awards, and it gives her the ability to practice before the IRS. Ms. McClure earned her A.A.S. in Accounting from Alfred State College and a B.S. in Accounting from Elmira College. She previously served as Treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 63 in Corning, New York.

Gregory Stewart

Gregory Stewart joined Chemung Canal Trust Company as a Senior Relationship Manager in 2016 and was elected Vice President the same year. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently at BNY Mellon where he held roles in business development, and relationship, and product management. Mr. Stewart graduated with first-class honors in Economics from the University of Birmingham (UK) and is also a regular member of the CFA Institute.   Mr. Stewart is a volunteer in local youth soccer activities.