The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced that Kierston Van Soest, CFO, L.L. Bean, is one of six new members of its 2019 New England Advisory Council.

Van Soest has been L.L. Bean’s CFO since March 2018. She was formerly the retailer’s SVP, finance and has been
L.L.Bean since 2002.

Van Soest has held various board positions with different community organizations in Southern Maine and most recently was appointed to the Board of Directors of United Way of Greater Portland. She received her degree in business administration from Lehigh University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

The other new members are: Carol Conway Bulman, CEO and president, Jack Conway & Co.; Karen Colberg, co-CEO, King Arthur Flour; Brad Hittle, Founder, CEO and president, Two Roads Brewing Company; Gregory Janey, president, Janey Construction Management and Consulting, Inc.; and Oliver Smith, CEO, O. & Co.

The NEAC is convened by Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren and includes senior leaders of small- to mid-size businesses throughout New England. Members advise the Bank about underlying trends in the economy as viewed through the prisms of their own companies and respective industries.

“It’s exciting for me to welcome each one of these new members to the council, because I know they’ll help us stay connected to the real economy and its practitioners in the First District,” President Rosengren said. “We need to hear from leaders of businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, across New England, and each one of these new members offers unique perspective and experience.”

In addition to welcoming new members, returning member Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden and Delaware North’s United Kingdom operations, will become the chair of the 2019 NEAC.

Additional standing members of the council include:

  • James T. Brett, president and CEO, New England Council
  • Travis McCready, president and CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
  • Nannu Nobis, CEO, Nobis Engineering
  • Paul Rumul, president, The Davenport Companies
  • Jessica Tang, president, Boston Teachers Union