A familiar face in the arenas of local business and local government could be joining the Oxford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board.
Last week, the board voted 8-0 to recommend to the village council that Geno Mallia, Jr. be appointed to its vacant seat.
The lifelong Leonard resident would represent Oxford Bank, his employer for 26 years.
‘I was humbled by that. I really was,? Mallia told this reporter. ?(The DDA board) said a lot of nice things about myself and the bank, particularly the bank.?
It’s no secret Oxford Bank was hit hard by the Great Recession (2008-09) and faced some extremely difficult challenges in the subsequent years, but things have been looking up for the 131-year-old financial institution. The bank has maintained continuous profitability since the last quarter of 2010.
‘The struggles that we’ve had over the past five years have not entirely gone away, but we’re working through all of this and we’re vibrant again,? said Mallia, who is the bank’s assistant vice president, security officer/loss prevention. ‘We’re a bank on a new mission. And it’s just time for us to get re-involved with the community.?
Mallia, a 1975 Oxford High School graduate, told DDA officials he’s willing to help them in any way he can and the bank will give him plenty of flexibility to do so.
DDA officials were excited to welcome an Oxford Bank representative back to board. The board’s been without one since Tony Lasher resigned a few years ago.
‘I think Oxford Bank is very critical to our community as far as community support and involvement,? said DDA board member Ed Hunwick. ‘I’m very enthused about the fact that they want to be involved on the board. I think it’s important for Oxford Bank to have a representative on this board. It makes a lot of sense.?
Oxford Bank has been a fixture in the heart of downtown Oxford for generations. Its first building, constructed in 1922-23 and located at the corner of M-24 and Burdick St., is now the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum.
Mallia noted that in addition to his years of experience with the bank, he also brings to the table a wealth of knowledge concerning the inner workings of local government.
He served on the Leonard Village Council for many years, most of them as president. He also served on and chaired the Polly Ann Trail Management Council for a number of years.
‘I welcome your knowledge and hopefully, your commitment to the DDA,? said Bill Dunn, Oxford Township supervisor and DDA board member.
Hunwick noted he’s glad Oxford Bank weathered its storm and was able to remain ‘independent.?
‘I, for one, am very grateful that Oxford Bank is still Oxford Bank,? he said.
In May 2013, Oxford Bank terminated an agreement through which the Farmington Hills-based Level One Bank was going to purchase it for $3.47 million and merge the two financial institutions? operations under the Level One name.
Oxford Bank’s steadily improving financial condition, coupled with continued delays in closing the deal, were cited as the main reasons for the termination.
The deal had been in the works since September 2012.
The Oxford DDA board meets on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Meetings occur inside the village council chambers at 22 W. Burdick St. For more information, please visit www.downtownoxford.org