When B. Michael Rauh Jr. became president and chief executive of Chelsea Groton Bank in December 2010, he faced the substantial challenges of succeeding an extremely popular predecessor and steering the more than century-old financial institution through the continuing economic impacts of the Great Recession.

Nearly 11 years later, it is more than evident Rauh beautifully succeeded in overcoming these challenges and in becoming a vital and integral member of the community. By all accounts, he filled the so-called "big shoes" of his predecessor, Duncan Stoddard. Chelsea Groton Bank also has remained a solid financial institution and become a leader in employing technology and promoting financial literacy. The bank and its foundation also are more integral than ever to the community: in 2020 alone providing more than $1 million to non-profit organizations struggling through the pandemic's impacts. That record amount also represented a doubling of the total funds typically granted in a calendar year.

Rauh was chosen in early 2020 as the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut's 70th Citizen of the Year. With his long list of accomplishments and the profound difference he's made for so many throughout the region, it's a title he fittingly has held for longer than a year. The celebration honoring him was delayed for 17 months due to pandemic restrictions on large gatherings and his tribute fete finally was conducted Oct. 29.

In addition to his work at the bank and its foundation, Rauh serves on numerous local boards and works on behalf of numerous community organizations. Bill Stanley, who retired from his position as vice president of development and community relations for Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in 2020 and served with Rauh on the board of directors for both L+M Healthcare and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, said Rauh immersed himself in the community very early in his Chelsea Groton career.

"He's not one of those guys who serves on a board in name only," Stanley said. "He's a leader."

Rauh demonstrated his dedication to diversity, ensuring equity and acting inclusively, for example, when the Chelsea Groton Foundation made $300,000 worth of grants to the Norwich Community Development Fund for the Global City initiative in downtown Norwich. The initiative funds innovative multicultural programming and provides assistance to multicultural entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in occupying downtown storefronts.

Chamber president and CEO Tony Sheridan said Rauh has had an impressive impact throughout eastern Connecticut and into Rhode Island, where Rauh began his banking career at the Washington Trust Co. He currently lives in Westerly. Rauh studied at the University of Rhode Island, held marketing and sales jobs after graduation and entered banking when he took a job overseeing bank branches at Washington Trust. He rose to a position of vice president at Washington Trust before taking the job with Chelsea Groton in 2010.

"If you'd told me 40 years ago ... that I'd become a bank CEO, I'd have laughed you out of the room," he told The Day's Lee Howard during an interview in December. "Yet each successive move seemed like the most natural thing in the world."

Southeastern Connecticut has benefited immensely by Rauh's success. "Michael is never one to shy away from lending a hand and gives generously of his time and talent to many community organizations," Sheridan wrote in an introduction of Rauh included in the program for the event honoring him. Sheridan listed Rauh's service to L+M Healthcare, Connecticut Bankers Association, Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, the Norwich Free Academy Foundation, Norwich Community Development Corporation, URI Harrington School of Communication and Media and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut as among these organizations.

In addition to all his community service, under Rauh's leadership Chelsea Groton became the top local lender of the Paycheck Protection Program, responsible for keeping many businesses afloat despite painful pandemic shutdowns.

The Day offers Rauh and his family sincerest congratulations on his well-deserved honor as the chamber's 70th citizen of the year.  We are confident the region will continue to benefit from his leadership well into the future.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.