Jack Kopnisky
2018 Power List
President & CEO, Sterling National Bank
Since coming to Sterling National Bank as president and chief executive in 2011, veteran financial-services executive Jack Kopnisky has presided over a ninefold increase in the bank’s asset portfolio. Last year’s merger with Astoria Bank was by far his biggest, effectively doubling the bank’s asset base. Sterling ended 2017 ranked 36th on Forbe’s list of America’s Best Banks, up from 87th the year before. The deal pushed the Rockland County bank’s branch network across New York City, Hudson Valley, Long Island and New Jersey and absorbed a huge chunk of Long Island’s consumer deposit funds, previously controlled by Lake Success-based Astoria. Prior to joining the Company, Kopnisky served as chief executive of SJB Escrow Corporation, and was a partner in Mercatus LLC since 2008. From 2005 until 2008, he headed First Marblehead Corporation. Kopnisky served in a variety of leadership positions with KeyCorp and predecessor banks from 1998 to 2005. During those years, he headed Key Bank’s Consumer Banking Group. At First Marblehead, he led wide-scale restructuring which doubled revenues and earnings from 2005 to 2007. Kopnisky has served on multiple non-profit boards throughout his career, favoring organizations focused on inner-city development and youth services. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Grove City College and is an active supporter of Summer Search. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Economics from Grove City College. He also attended Case Western Reserve’s Executive Program at Weatherhead School of Business and the University of Delaware’s Stonier Banking School.