Company: BWFG
Filing Date: 2025-04-08
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001505732-25-000079
Chunk: 9

Company: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-08
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 9
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 of Business at New York University and was a CPA while in the public accounting industry. Mr. Demos’ experience with finance,

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data, cloud, cost management and technology issues and his substantial financial industry and banking knowledge and network provides our Board of Directors with valuable expertise on a wide range of mission critical topics.

Blake S. Drexler, Director, Chairman of the Board. M r. Drexler has been a portfolio manager with Mariner Capital since 2011. From 2004 to 2011, he was a private equity investor and partner in both 5-Mile Ventures and Great Point Partners, both located in Rowayton, Connecticut. He was previously Managing Director of Derivative Products at Greenwich Capital Markets for 22 years and a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, The Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Mr. Drexler joined our Board of Directors in 2001 and served on the board of The Bank of New Canaan from its organization. He served as Executive Chairman of the Company from August 2014 to February 2015. Mr. Drexler’s financial acumen and experience and his community involvement and leadership skills provide our Board of Directors with significant knowledge and expertise regarding the business and market area of the Bank.

Jeffrey R. Dunne, Director. Mr. Dunne is a Vice Chairman at CBRE, Inc. and oversees the New York Capital Markets team that sells income producing multi-family, office, retail and industrial assets. The team’s business is largely transacted in the New York Region, although the group also sells portfolios throughout the United States. Mr. Dunne is active in various charity and community organizations and sits on the Board of Trustees of the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, the Real Estate Advisory Board at Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal School of Business and Bishop Caggiano’s Real Estate Board. In 2012, Mr. Dunne was honored by the March of Dimes, receiving its annual Real Estate Award and in 2013, he received the Edward S. Gordon Award. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and holds an MBA from New York University. Mr. Dunne’s extensive knowledge of local and national real estate markets, financial acumen and expertise in real estate financing, sale and valuation provide our Board of Directors with valuable insights regarding the business and market area of the Bank.

Christopher R. Gruseke, Director, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the