Hard work, dedication and humility” are core values Kenneth Burnett says have guided him since childhood on a lifelong pursuit of excellence.
After graduating from Bryant University in 1990, he got his start in the banking industry at the former Fleet National Bank. After gaining experience as a senior field examiner and loan officer for commercial real estate, he moved in 1993 to Citizens Bank of Rhode Island.
Burnett stayed at Citizens for 11 years, eventually rising to vice president for commercial real estate.
He was a top salesman within the Citizens Financial Group, generating annual new business in excess of $20 million. He also managed a $100 million commercial real estate portfolio.
In 2004, he joined Bank Rhode Island, where he currently works in commercial real estate as a senior vice president and department manager.
His drive to excel helped him close more than $41 million in new loans last year, best in the bank’s history. In the last three years, he personally has originated $100 million in new loan production, also a BankRI record.
Now, Burnett is a member of the bank’s senior management team. The Burrillville resident manages a staff of seven with a $200 million department portfolio.
He’s particularly proud of the many banking relationships he has made during his time at BankRI.
He arranged financing for one developer for a $9 million project for more than 400 affordable residential units in Central Falls and Woonsocket.
Another developer he worked with received a $14 million loan for two landmark office buildings in downtown Providence. •
