Carissa L. Rodeheaver, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of First United Bank & Trust and Robin E. Murray, Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking announce the promotion of Denise D. Phelps as Berkeley County Market President, overseeing the bank’s strategic sales and growth initiatives in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce Denise’s promotion. Her years of dedication to our Company and commitment to her professional development in the banking industry is certainly a great achievement. We have a vision for growth in the Martinsburg community and Denise’s leadership and experience will serve us well.” stated Mrs. Rodeheaver.
Ms. Phelps has over 20 years of banking expertise and experience with First United. She started her career in Martinsburg, WV as a Customer Service Representative. Throughout her career at the bank, she has held various positions serving both existing and perspective customers of the bank, providing financial guidance and advice. She served as a Customer Service Officer in 1997 and was quickly promoted to a Mortgage Originator for the Martinsburg area where she assisted the bank’s customer in choosing the financing solution that fit their needs. In 2007, she was promoted to the Sales and Service Leadership Manager.
Denise moved back to Frederick County, MD in 2009 and was named the Community Relationship Manager for two First United branch offices in Frederick, MD. Denise is a graduate of Frostburg State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She continued her education and received her MBA/MA in International Development from American University in Washington, D.C. Denise is also a top honors graduate of the Maryland Bankers School and was awarded the Lillian Moffett Award. It’s one of the highest awards from this school. She is also a graduate of Maryland Executive Banking School.
Robin E. Murray commented, “Denise’s role as Market President will be to work with local businesses as well as community leaders to ensure we are providing a unique customer experience to meet the individualized needs of our customers in the Berkeley County market. Denise brings a high level of banking knowledge and professionalism to this position which will make her a tremendous asset to our local team and to the community.”
Phelps is active in the community and supports many non-profits. Currently, she is serving as District Governor for the Chesapeake District of Civitan International. Before moving to the Berkeley County area, Denise served as President and Treasurer of Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation. Other non-profit roles have included Director and International Committee Co-Chair of the Rotary Club of Frederick, President and Treasurer of the Civitan Club of Frederick, Treasurer for the Golden Mile Alliance, and Treasurer of the Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.