Highlights & Happenings from Fairfield Federal | Feb. 2024

Judith M. (Judy) Root announced her retirement from Fairfield Federal’s Board of Directors following a 50-year career with the Association. In honor and recognition of her outstanding commitment to Fairfield Federal and her passion for serving the community, Fairfield Federal dedicated its conference room in the Main Office building in Judy’s honor and invites the community to use this space. Root will continue to serve as an advisory director following her retirement from the Board.

Root’s career began in 1973 as a teller. She went on to become the Vice President of Savings Operations in 1994, Executive Vice President in 2004 and President in 2010. Root retired from full-time employment in May 2018 and continued as a member of the Association’s Board of Directors until her present retirement.

During Root’s career, the Association brought its accounts “online,” endured the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s, and introduced ATMs, internet banking and a mobile app to its depositors.

In addition to a successful career at Fairfield Federal, Root is deeply involved in the local community. She has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, the Fairfield County Foundation, the Ohio University-Lancaster Coordinating Council and Lancaster Festival. She is a member and past President of the Lancaster Rotary Club. She and her husband Steve have hosted over 20 Rotary exchange students from all over the world. Root was honored with the Athena Award in 2007 and the Floyd Wolfe Community Service Award in 2019 by the Lancaster Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce. 

Fairfield Federal is pleased to announce that Bob Competti has been elected a Director on the Association’s Board of Directors. Competti fills the vacancy following Judith M. Root’s retirement.

Competti is a life-long resident of Lancaster, Ohio. He is a graduate of Fisher Catholic High School and received his degree in electronic engineering from DeVry Institute of Technology. Competti has an extensive career in media production and operations. After serving as Operations Manager for WWAT-TV in Chillicothe, he founded IVP Media in 1989, which now serves the central Ohio area and beyond with commercial video production, outdoor live concert venues, and live sports programming for Spectrum Cable and YouTube. 

In addition to his professional endeavors, Competti is deeply involved in the local community. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Lancaster Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities, a Big Brother Big Sisters Board Member, and is a member and past President of the Lancaster Rotary Club. Bob is also a musician, having recorded in studios in Newark, Columbus and Nashville, and performs locally with the band Bad Influence. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family, including his wife Beth, his three children Erin, Dominic and Ryan as well as his four grandchildren and his amazing mother Rita, who will be turning 99-years-old this Spring. 

Say "Hi" to Sarah!

Sarah Franke is an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at Fairfield Federal's W. Fair Avenue Office. She is a Berne Union High School graduate and joined Fairfield Federal's team in 2001. Her hobbies include crafting and shopping and her favorite food is pizza. Her bucket list item is to see the cherry blossom trees in Washington D.C. We appreciate all you do, Sarah!

Welcome, Tristin and Garrett!

Fairfield Federal Speaks on Business Spotlight Podcast

Check-out this episode of the Business Spotlight Podcast, presented by the Lancaster Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce. Logan Weaver, Marketing Coordinator at the Chamber, sits down with Fairfield Federal's own, Julie Grefe and Tracy Embrey.