Columbia Bank on Monday announced John Shalhoub was appointed as its 1st senior vice president, chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective Oct. 27.
In his new capacity, Shalhoub is reporting directly to Thomas Kemly, president and chief executive offficer, and will oversee all facets of the Bank’s Human Resources strategy and operations.
Columbia Bank’s leadership emphasized Shalhoub’s extensive background in developing organizational strength.
“We are excited to welcome John and his wealth of experience with building high-performing teams,” Kemly said. “His expertise in talent development, organizational design, and performance management will strengthen Columbia Bank’s ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent while reinforcing our culture of excellence.”
Shalhoub is a seasoned global HR executive with over two decades of experience across leading financial institutions. He most recently served at Aflac Global Investments, where he held multiple senior leadership roles, including Divisional Head of Human Resources, Chief of Staff, and Interim Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, he was integral in developing and executing HR strategies that supported Aflac’s $120 billion investment platform and fostered a collaborative culture across U.S. and international teams.
Earlier in his career, Shalhoub held senior human resources positions at major financial firms, including Deutsche Bank, Zurich Capital Markets, and Merrill Lynch. In these roles, he partnered with executive leadership to design and implement transformative initiatives related to talent, compensation, and organizational structure across global business lines.
Shalhoub earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Fairfield University and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). He is also actively involved in community service, currently serving as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Banyan School and volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America in Chatham.
