Friday, Oct 8, 2021
David J. DiStefano ‘07 recognized for leadership
David J. DiStefano '07, who received a Master of Business Administration from ý, has won the 2021 NJBIZ Forty Under 40 award as one of the state’s successful business leaders.
DiStefano is New Jersey region president and first senior vice president at First Bank. He was recognized during a virtual awards ceremony on Sept. 30.
“Since the community bank’s beginnings, David has brought First Bank’s tagline to life: Personal Bankers, Real Relationships,” says First Bank President and CEO Patrick L. Ryan.
During DiStefano’s tenure, the commercial lender has delivered a 44% compound annual growth rate in total assets. To promote growth, DiStefano reorganized his lending team, which includes 16 commercial relationship mangers, plus team members associated with the retail branch network. In 2020, his team increased net loan growth by $80 million and net deposit growth by $100 million in the New Jersey region, excluding any activity tied to the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program.
DiStefano also believes in giving back. He has received the New Leaders in Banking Award from the New Jersey Bankers Association for his accomplishments and community service. He helped the Allentown Village Initiative with revitalization projects and created networking for other young professionals at various organizations, including the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce.
ý’s 36-credit MBA program offers several career-focused concentrations to give students the flexibility to customize their degree and receive specialized training based on their area of interest. To help balance studies with your commitments, the AACSB-accredited program is offered during in-person and hybrid evening classes, as well as online.
In addition to his graduate work at ý, DiStefano also received a bachelor’s in accounting and finance from Franklin & Marshall.