Merrill W. Sherman

Ms. Sherman joined the Board of Directors in January 2012, following the Company's acquisition of Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. and Bank Rhode Island. Ms. Sherman served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. and Bank Rhode Island from 1996 until 2012. Previously, Ms. Sherman served as President and Chief Executive Officer of two other New England community banks. Ms. Sherman is active in the Rhode Island community; she Chairs the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (a quasi-public agency that is the State's "green bank" and water finance agency), and serves as a director of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island and as a trustee of Johnson and Wales University. Ms. Sherman serves on the Company's Executive and Risk Committees. Ms. Sherman's years of services as the chief executive officer of several banks provide her with experience in banking and operations matters which, combined with her leadership in the Rhode Island community, provides value to the Board in its management of the Company's business.