Ron Schwarz and Raymond Cordts Receive Prestigious Boy Scouts Awards

The Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council honored Ron Schwarz, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Lakeland Bank with the 40th Annual Sussex County Distinguished Citizen Award and Raymond “Ray” Cordts (1953-2022) with the Victor Avondoglio Service Award on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Perona Farms in Andover for serving as exemplary role models for the youth of our area. The award dinner chair was Daniel Leary, Senior Vice President, Business Banking Manager of Lakeland Bank.

Ron Schwarz joined Lakeland Bank in 2009 as Chief Retail Officer and became Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2017. With more than 50 years of Retail Banking experience, Ron has held executive leadership roles at several New Jersey based financial institutions and attributes part of his successful career to his experience as a Boy Scout. Having the opportunity to lead young men and fellow Boy Scouts taught him the leadership qualities necessary to being a strong leader and mentor in his professional and personal life, always bringing out the best in others. Ron is also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Metro YMCA's of the Orange (Board Chair 2017-2021) and a past member of the Board of Directors for Hudson County Community College Foundation (Board Chair 2008-2010). In 2021, Ron received the NJBIZ Icon Award which was created to recognize New Jersey business leaders over the age of 60 who have helped the State’s business community grow.

Raymond Cordts was Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer at Lakeland Bank with more than 50 years of banking experience. Throughout his career, Ray developed a wealth of expertise in the areas of Retail Banking, Business Banking and Financial Services. Ray was committed to each client relationship, all with the goal of helping businesses grow. He embodied the community banking model of strong ties to the community with active service to numerous non-profit organizations. Ray served as Trustee for Newton Medical Center Foundation, SCARC Foundation Board, Secretary & Treasurer of Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative and past President of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce. Ray studied business at UPSALA College and was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking.

Lakeland Bank was the Event Underwriter. Through the Sussex County 40th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner, funds were raised to support the mission of the Boy Scouts of America in Sussex County, that is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. For their outstanding example to youth in the community, the Boy Scouts of America salutes Ron Schwarz and Ray Cordts for their service to the community.