Occupation: I am assistant vice president and branch manager of Union Savings Bank on Commerce Road, Newtown. I’ve been in banking for 19 years, having started right after high school when I attended the Connecticut School of Finance and Management, a two-year program of the Connecticut Bankers Association.

I love my job because I’m a people-oriented person and I look at the whole world of banking as a constant learning process. There are a lot of new privacy issues and government regulations are constantly changing.

I am always taking classes, but actually, I learn just as much from the day-to-day issues that come up as people walk in the door. That’s my classroom.

How Long In Newtown: I have an apartment in Sandy Hook, but I grew up in Bethel.

Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: My grandparents lived in Newtown so I used to come here often. We drove here by the back roads where now I’m seeing all these new homes.

The business side of Newtown –– you could say the corporate population –– hasn’t changed that much, however.

And I can’t believe they finally fixed that bridge. I’m ecstatic. It looks great.

Family: My parents and a brother and sister-in-law with three kids all live in Bethel, and I have ten godchildren. My other brother and his wife and three kids live Florida.

Pets: My cat is named –– prepare yourself –– Kitty! I didn’t really plan to name her that but she comes when I say it! She’s very tiny and has not grown, so I guess the name kind of fits.

Hobbies: I like hiking, running in town, and spending time with friends.

Favorite Books and Authors: Anything by author John Grisham

Favorite Movie, TV Show: I enjoyed the movie Elf and on TV I watch Alias.

Organizations: I am on the board of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, and I am liaison between the bank and the Western Connecticut Corporate Volunteer Council. Union Savings Bank definitely wants to play a significant role in helping the community, and I am a part of that.

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: This past Holiday Tree Lighting celebration was spectacular when the snow was falling and we saw the lights and candles all around the pond. It was very New England looking –– like a post card.

Favorite Vacation Spot: I recently took a cruise to the Caribbean Islands, which was fantastic. It was top of the line and we were catered to like royalty. Another trip at the other end of the luxury spectrum was to hike in Glacier National Park in Montana. We heard grizzly bears growling and stayed in a very rustic lodge. We saw moose, mountain goats, and nature in the snow at 11,000 feet.

Personal Philosophy: I believe that what goes around comes around and I live by those words. I think if more people remembered to be generous and peaceful, it would come back to them full circle and we would be living in a kinder place.

Bill Valenti