Company: NSTS
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001437749-25-011792
Chunk: 12

Company: NSTS Bancorp, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 12
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 2020. Mr. Walker joined North Shore Trust and Savings in 1996 and has previously held roles as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Retail Banking between 2010 and 2022. Mr. Walker holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University and an advanced degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Mr. Walker serves on the board of directors of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine, Wisconsin.

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Amy L. Avakian, age 63, has served as the Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of North Shore Trust and Savings from 2019 to present. Ms. Avakian began her career at North Shore Trust and Savings in 1983 and has served in various roles within the lending function and is a member of the loan committee. Ms. Avakian received her Bachelor’s in Communication from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Ms. Avakian is a member of the Lake County Property Investors Association.

Carissa H. Schoolcraft, age 33, has served as the Chief Financial Officer of North Shore Trust and Savings since April 2021. Ms. Schoolcraft previously served as the Controller of North Shore Trust and Savings from April 2020 to April 2021. Prior to joining North Shore Trust and Savings, Ms. Schoolcraft served as a Staff Auditor (Manager) at KPMG, LLP from 2013 to 2020. Ms. Schoolcraft serves on the audit committee of Cunningham Children’s Home. Ms. Schoolcraft received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Accounting from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Board Independence

The Board of Directors has determined that each of our directors, other than Stephen G. Lear, Thomas M. Ivantic, and Thomas J. Kneesel, is considered independent under the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance listing standards. Director Lear is not considered independent because he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of NSTS Bancorp, Inc. Director Ivantic is not considered independent because he is the brother of Amy L. Avakian, our Chief Lending Officer. Director Kneesel is not considered independent because he is the brother-in-law of Ms. Avakian. In determining the independence of our directors, the Board of Directors considered relationships between North Shore Trust and Savings and our directors that are not required to