The Avon-headquartered core-processing firm COCC has hired Michael Nicastro to lead its sales and marketing activities beginning in October.

"Mike Nicastro fully appreciates the unique qualities of COCC’s technology partnerships, including how our cooperative guides our decisions, ensures our continued innovation and growth, and generates fierce loyalty to the COCC brand," President and CEO Richard Leone said in a statement. "With his deep industry experience and knowledge of our advanced technology, Mike is ideally-suited to take our company to the next level of success."

Nicastro has more than 30 years of experience in financial services and related technology. He has worked with NCR Corp., Citicorp, Bristol Savings Bank and Open Solutions Inc.  More recently, he has served as president and chief executive officer of Connecticut/Greater Bristol Chambers of Commerce, one of the largest of Connecticut’s eight Metro Chambers.