Hartford Business Journal

16 Hartford Business Journal • May 6, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com 16 Hartford Business Journal • May 6, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com C-SUITE AWARDS 2019 ect, and I think it's really one of the reasons why we had such a terrific financial record performance in 2018," said Ciulla, 53. Leading that project at Webster, with $27.6 billion in assets as of Jan. 24, also tested Ciulla's chops to be- come CEO. Ciulla, the first non-Smith to lead Webster since its 1935 found- ing by Smith's father, Harold Webster Smith, praised the Smiths and the high bar they set. "I think I even have higher expecta- tions of myself to be able to exceed that bar," Ciulla said. "I feel like I am sort of supercharged to be able to reach that higher bar because of the guidance Jim provided and because of the cultural foundation of the bank and because of everything that the bank stands for." One of Ciulla's first tactical moves as CEO was in Jan. 2018. Follow- ing federal tax reform that he knew would enhance profitability, he increased the bank's minimum wage to $15; paid a $1,000 bonus to all full-time employees below the vice- president level; increased Webster's annual philanthropic budget by $1 million, to $5 million-plus; and invested in Webster's workforce by increasing the size of its training program by 50 percent and doubling summer interns. "I can't tell you how many internal and external emails and communica- tions I received from just individuals in the community, business leaders, customers, employees saying, boy, they felt really proud to be with the organization because we made those moves," Ciulla said. This January, Gov. Ned Lamont asked Webster to play a leadership role among regional banks by offer- ing interest-free loans, backed by the state, to federal workers denied pay during the government shutdown. Chris Motl, executive vice presi- dent-head of commercial banking at Webster, called Ciulla smart and likeable. "People want to produce for him, they want to work hard for him, they want to succeed for him, but he also has tons of compassion for the employees, which I think are unique qualities," Motl said, adding that Ciulla fuels Webster's focus on doing right. Seeking opportunity Ciulla — married to Erin Fuller, with whom he has a daughter, a high school senior, and son, sophomore — did not envision becoming CEO when he joined Webster in 2004 as senior vice president for middle-market banking. He entered banking in 1987 in Hartford, then got his law degree and practiced law in New York, then returned to banking there in 1997. His approach: Feel good about his contri- butions, perform at a high level and seek or weigh opportunities as they arise, which they did. "I can't be successful unless the entire team is successful and I'm just fortunate to be on a great team with a great set of executives and 3,400 great bankers and I feel like that's the strength of the organization," Ciulla said. >> John Ciulla continued ON THE JOB Guiding business principle: Always do the right thing. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Eliminate the phrase, "That's the way we've always done it here." Best business decision: Setting the bar high to attract and recruit top talent and build a team of diverse, self-driven leaders. Worst business decision: In general, you should not delay the execution of a decision once made. Biggest missed opportunity: Spending more time with the strong leaders I've worked with in the past; that's something I didn't fully appreciate at the time. Goal yet to be achieved: To be the top-performing regional bank in the country. Personal touch in your office: Guitar PERSONAL SIDE Favorite way to relax: Playing guitar Hobbies: Guitar/golf/coaching sports Last vacation: New Orleans Favorite movie: "Dazed & Confused" The car you drive: SUV Currently reading: "The Match: The Day the Game of Golf changed Forever," by Mark Frost Favorite cause: Junior Achievement Second choice career: Teacher/coach DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE, REGISTER TODAY! | GO TO WWW.HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/OUREVENTS PRESENTED BY: EVENT SPONSOR: EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SPONSOR: Keynote Sponsor: MAY 15, 2019 | 8AM-10AM | THE HARTFORD CLUB TICKETS NOW ON SALE & SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED! TICKETS NOW ON SALE SHANA SCHLOSSBERG CEO Upward Hartford RAY PINEAULT President & General Manager Mohegan Sun CURT CAMERON President Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. MIN JUNG KIM Director & CEO New Britain Museum of American Art DR. EDISON T. LIU President & CEO The Jackson Laboratory SAM GRAY President & CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Inc. BRUCE MANDELL President, Data-Mail Inc.; Chairman & CEO, Hartford Athletic LYNN RICCI President & Chief Executive Offi cer Hospital for Special Care DREW ANDREWS Managing Partner & CEO Whittlesey

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