10.19.22
Circle of Excellence: John Olerio
by: John Olerio, BISA Staff
In this second installment of BISA Portfolio’s Q&A series with 2022 Circle of Excellence awardees, John Olerio of Webster Investments shares how BISA has provided value to him throughout his career. As a committed BISA member with outstanding vision, innovation and career achievements, John is incredibly deserving of this award.
The Circle of Excellence Award, BISA’s most prestigious award, honors and celebrates extraordinary leaders for their long-term commitment to the profession and association. To be eligible for this distinguished award, candidates must be senior-level executives in their institution with a minimum of 20 cumulative years of experience in the financial services industry and have made meaningful contributions with a lasting impact to the association. Candidates should be recognized among their peers for their outstanding vision, innovation and career achievements.
What does being a "Circle of Excellence" winner mean to you?
JO: I was extremely honored to receive this award. I look back at former recipients and am incredibly humbled to be included in a group of great people whom I have looked up to and admired for many years. In particular, my former boss, mentor and friend, Tom Howe, was a recipient about eight years ago, and it is very special for me to follow in his formidable footsteps.
How has BISA impacted your career and relationships in the industry?
JO: BISA has always been a source of ideas and inspiration for me. BISA has enabled me access to a peer network that I rely on to be informed, to be engaged and to allow me to set a bar for continued success. BISA is all about networking, building relationships and building lifelong friendships.
What is the moment, decision or result you are most proud of from your career?
JO: The decisions I am most proud of are when I have opportunities to promote team members and assist them in advancing their careers. Assisting talent to bubble up to higher and higher potentials is the most rewarding aspect of my role at Webster.
Tell us about one person who has inspired you on your career journey. What was their role in leading you to where you are today?
JO: I have already mentioned Tom Howe, and he certainly led by example with grace, intelligence and dignity. I would also add Dan Arnold from LPL Financial. From the moment I met Dan, I knew he was destined for big, big things! His energy, brilliance and perseverance are truly inspirational. He has achieved so much, but has remained strongly connected to his friends and colleagues all along the way.
What is one piece of advice you have for individuals looking to advance their careers in the financial industry?
JO: Stay hungry and don’t get too comfortable. Change will come — and always embrace it. If change doesn’t seem to be in front of you right now, then actively seek out what your next big challenge should be and go for it!
How has the power of research influenced the steps you’ve taken in your career, based on the experiences that you’ve had being part of BISA’s research committee?
JO: The research committee has been among my most rewarding experiences of my overall BISA involvement. I enjoy being a student of our industry and believe that data and analysis provide the pathway to our next great decisions and to our growth in each of our programs. Right now, perhaps more than ever, our industry is facing important decisions as to how we move forward, and BISA research can assist all of us to be armed with tools — so that all of us can be our best together.
Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Webster Bank and Webster Investments are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Webster Investments, and may also be employees of Webster Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Webster Bank or Webster Investments.
Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:
Not Insured by FDIC or Any Other Government Agency |
Not Bank Guaranteed |
Not Bank Deposits or Obligations |
May Lose Value |
About John Olerio
With over 30 years of industry experience, John has focused his career on being a Program Manager for Large Regional Banks with extensive experience with TPMs. He has been with Webster Investments since 1997 and has implemented short-term and long-term strategies to help set the directional course for the business line. John provides strategic strategies to the Community Bank and implements business plans that drive growth for the bank.
As the Director of Webster Investments, John oversees a team of Financial Consultants and Financial Associates that service the unique financial needs of our clients. He provides support to our advisors by helping them implement comprehensive analytical tools along with a wide array of investment and insurance products, which help them, develop customized strategies that align with each client’s personal and financial goals
John has be awarded as a one of the Top 25 Program Managers in Bank Investment Consultant (BIC) for 8 consecutive years.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from Boston College and he also earned a Master’s of Science in Financial Management from Carnegie Mellon University, The Heinz School.
As an active member of the community, John is a board member for the Bank Insurance and Securities Association (BISA) and he is on the board of directors for the Cranston Veterans Memorial Scholarship Committee in his hometown of Cranston, RI. Currently, he is also a member of the LPL Advisors Council as well as a member of the LPL PAC Advisory Board.
He holds his Series 7, 63, 65, and 24 license as well as Life & Health.