R.A. Nielsen Succeeds Father As Chief Exec of N.Y.'s Reliance

Raymond A. Nielsen, president and chief operating officer of Reliance Bancorp in Garden City, N.Y., and its Reliance Federal Savings Bank, also became their chief executive Monday.

He succeeded his father, Raymond L. Nielsen, who will continue as chairman.

The younger Mr. Nielsen had been president and chief operating officer of the bank for 10 years and the holding company since its initial public offering in early 1994.

In addition, senior vice president and treasurer Gerald M. Sauvigne was promoted to executive vice president; Joseph F. Lavelle, vice president, was named senior vice president; and Paul D. Hagan, vice president and director of financial reporting, was named vice president and chief financial officer.

The holding company and its bank also elected Conrad J. Gunther Jr. to their boards. Mr. Gunther is vice president of Allied Group, the largest independent brokerage on Long Island.

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