---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001004702-23-000144"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "OCFC"
cik: "0001004702"
company_name: "OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP"
filed_at: "2023-09-19T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-10T12:56:06.811280+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# OceanFirst appoints three new directors, CRO transition planned; Walsh to retire in 2024

## Summary
- Appoints John Barros, Robert Garrett (Hackensack Meridian Health CEO), and Dalila Wilson-Scott (Comcast EVP) to board.
- Grace Vallacchi to resign as bank director Oct 1, retire as CRO Oct 11; David Berninger named new CRO.
- Longest-tenured director John Walsh to retire at May 2024 annual meeting; served since 2000.
- New directors provide expertise in healthcare, economic development, diversity, and large-scale operations.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001004702-23-000144
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: OCFC
- cik: 0001004702
- company_name: OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP
- filed_at: 2023-09-19T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000100470223000144/0001004702-23-000144-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000100470223000144/ocfc-20230918.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001004702-23-000144
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001004702-23-000144.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001004702-23-000144.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert C. Garrett was appointed as Director at OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: Robert C. Garrett, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health – Morris Township, NJ, effective October 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000100470223000144/0001004702-23-000144-index.htm
- Executive change
  Dalila Wilson-Scott was appointed as Director at OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation – Philadelphia, PA, effective October 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000100470223000144/0001004702-23-000144-index.htm
- Executive change
  John E. Walsh departed as Director at OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Director
  source text: Additionally, John E. Walsh will retire from the Board of Directors at the end of his term in May 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000100470223000144/0001004702-23-000144-index.htm
- Executive change
  John F. Barros was appointed as Director at OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: John F. Barros, Managing Principal, Civitas Builder – Boston, MA, effective September 18, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000100470223000144/0001004702-23-000144-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.