Charter Oak Promotes Three in Retail Banking Operations

Published On: December 23rd, 2025Categories: News & Events, Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ronald Wertz
VP – Director of Marketing
860.446.3254

Waterford, CT – December 23, 2025 – Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has promoted Lyndsey O’Brien to Assistant Vice President Retail Experience Officer, James Ilch to Branch Officer and Melissa Hendrickson to Branch Manager.

“Lyndsey’s experience and leadership coupled with Jim and Melissa’s dedication to excellence will continue to strengthen our retail operations team in delivering exceptional service to our members. Congratulations Lyndsey, Jim and Melissa,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

O’Brien began her career as a teller with Charter Oak in 2005. She then became a Member Service Representative before moving to the credit union’s Training Department in 2007. O’Brien returned to the credit union’s branch operations in 2010, holding a number of positions including Teller, Member Service Representative and Work Leader. She was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager in 2016, Branch Supervisor in 2017, Branch Manager in 2018 and Retail Experience Officer in 2021.

O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences. She is a Board Member of the Credit Union League of Connecticut’s Building Financial Independence (CUBFI), the charitable arm of the League, a Board Member of the Montville Education Foundation, as well as chairperson of their charitable golf tournament and serves as a Commissioner on the Town of Montville’s Commission on Aging.

Ilch began his career with Charter Oak in 2022 as a Branch Supervisor and was promoted to Branch Manager in 2023. He is a graduate of New England College of Business and Finance with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Three Rivers Community College with an Associates Degree in Business Administration and Management and is a retired member of the United States Navy. Ilch recently completed the Financial Counseling Certification Program and is now a Certified Financial Counselor, giving him the ability to help members experiencing financial challenges make sound financial decisions. He is also a member of the Leadership Committee of 41 North BNI.

Hendrickson began her career with Charter Oak in 2023 as a Head Teller and was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager in 2024. She is a graduate of Quinebaug Valley Community College with an Associates of Science Degree. Hendrickson frequently represents the Credit Union and promotes our services at local community events.

Charter Oak is eastern Connecticut’s largest credit union with assets of $1.6 billion as of September 30, 2025. Charter Oak has an expansive and convenient network of 15 branches serving New London and Windham counties, providing one of the largest and most convenient branch networks of any financial institution serving eastern Connecticut. For more information about Charter Oak’s broad range of products and services, please visit any of our convenient branches, or visit our website at charteroak.org, or call 860.446.8085 or 800.962.3237. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union is like a bank, just better! We’ve been proudly serving eastern Connecticut since 1939 and we offer great checking, deposit, lending, insurance and investment products. And because we’re a credit union, we’re owned by our members, not by shareholders. So we can offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on deposits. It’s easy to become a Charter Oak member: simply live, work, worship, learn, or volunteer in New London or Windham counties. Join today and see why Members Bank Better at Charter Oak!