Our People

Thomas Shara

Board Member

Mr. Shara is the Executive Vice Chairman of Provident Financial Services and Provident Bank Boards of Directors. He was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Lakeland Bank from 2008 through 2024. Prior to joining Lakeland Bank, Mr. Shara served as President and Chief Lending Officer of TD Banknorth’s (now TD Bank) Mid-Atlantic Division, which includes New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Prior to TD Banknorth acquiring Hudson United Bank, Mr. Shara was Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer of HUBCO, a $9 billion commercial bank, where he oversaw organic growth and was responsible for integrating over 30 acquisitions.

Mr. Shara serves on the Board of Trustees of the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, N.J., the Board of Directors of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, and was previously Chairman of the New Jersey Bankers Association board. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation and is a Foundation Officer on the Board of Trustees of Chilton Medical Center Foundation. Mr. Shara earned a master’s degree in business administration as well as a Bachelor of Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.