Barney Horton, Farmers Banks & Trust
Congratulations to Barney Horton on more than 50 years of service to Kansas banking! He started with Farmers National Bank in 1971, which became a state-chartered bank as Farmers Bank & Trust (FB&T) in 1978. His grandfather was one of the original stockholders and Directors of the bank, and his father, Bill Horton, served as President and Chairman of the board. With his father’s passing in 1981, Barney took over as President and Chairman of the Board for 30 years, and is currently Chairman Emeritus.
Barney grew up in Atwood and committed his entire career to strengthening the banking business in Northwest Kansas. Under his leadership, FB&T opened branches in Brewster, Colby and Oberlin. In 2015, the Horton family was honored with the Century of Family Banking Award, celebrating their 100 years of dedication to the banking industry.
Part of the FB&T mission statement is “Investing in Our Community.” It’s also been a guiding principle modeled by Barney. His devotion to service is evident in his roles with Lions Club, Boy Scouts, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Atwood Ambassadors, Hospital Board and Economic Development — just to name a few. Together, with his wife, Cathy, they have poured into generations of individuals and businesses to help keep small, rural communities thriving!
Barney is a proud graduate of the Colorado School of Banking, an accomplishment that underscores his commitment to professional development and excellence in the banking field. His dedication and expertise have also been utilized with many financial organizations, including a Co-Chair role with the MOKAN Trust Conference, as a Director and Chairman of Bankers Bank of Kansas, and many years with the KBA Trust Committee and KBA Federal Affairs Committee.
When Barney isn’t busy banking, you can find him enjoying time with family — often at a lake or skiing in Colorado, taking grandkids to Disney World and dressing up in costumes to entertain them at Camp Grammy and Papa … or playing golf during the KBA Conference at The Broadmoor, where he is famously remembered for taking off his shoes and wading into the water to retrieve his pitching wedge that went astray.
Barney was proud to have four generations of his family present when he accepted his award to help him celebrate this distinction. Congratulations, Barney, on this incredible milestone!
R.A. Edwards III, First National Bank of Hutchinson
Congratulations to R.A. Edwards III on an extraordinary 50 years of service in the banking industry!
R.A. began his banking career in 1975 at Douglas County Bank in Lawrence, Kansas, quickly rising through the ranks from AVP to President by 1977. In 1981, he became President and CEO of First National Bank of Hutchinson, where he provided visionary leadership for nearly three decades. Under his guidance, the bank grew from $130 million in assets to over $1 billion — a testament to his forward-thinking and strategic approach.
In 2010, R.A. transitioned to Chairman of the Board at FNB and later to Chairman Emeritus in 2020, where he continues to lend his insight and experience. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in shaping community banking across Kansas.
Beyond the bank, R.A. has served on numerous boards, including the American Bankers Association Executive Committee, the Kansas Bankers Association Board, the Westar Energy Board of Directors, and various committees at the University of Kansas. He is currently the President of First Kansas Bancshares Inc., a trustee of the Davis Foundation and co-owner of Kansas Natural Gas.
R.A.’s dedication, leadership and lasting impact on the banking industry and his community are truly remarkable. Congratulations on reaching this exceptional milestone!
Barbara Thomas, FNB Bank
Congratulations to Barbara Thomas on her extraordinary 50 years of service in banking! Barbara began her career on Aug. 11, 1975, at First National Bank in Goodland, Kansas (now FNB Bank), as a DECA student in the Bookkeeping Department. What started as a high school position grew into a lifelong career of leadership and dedication.
Over the next five decades, Barbara held numerous roles within the Bookkeeping and Operations Department, steadily rising through the ranks. Her positions included Bookkeeping Department Employee (1976-1981), Assistant Cashier (1982-1984), Assistant Vice President — Manager of Operations Division (1985-1987), Vice President of Operations (1988-2001), Vice President & Assistant Cashier (2002-2014) and Senior Vice President & Assistant Cashier (2015-present).
Barbara’s colleagues consistently describe her as an “asset to the department and bank,” “vital to the bank” and someone they “rely heavily on for her tremendous amount of knowledge.” She has long been recognized as FNB’s “conversion specialist” and a “quiet achiever,” whose expertise and steady presence have guided countless projects and transitions.
Reflecting on her career, Barbara points to the sweeping automation of the bookkeeping and operations areas as the biggest change she has witnessed. From manual processes to modern digital systems, she has been at the forefront of every transformation, ensuring smooth operations and sharing her knowledge with others.
Barbara’s loyalty, expertise and steadfast commitment over 50 years have left an enduring mark on FNB Bank and the Goodland community. Congratulations to Barbara on this remarkable milestone!
J. Michael “Mike” Reid, Home Savings Bank
Congratulations to J. Michael “Mike” Reid on reaching 50 years in Kansas banking! Mike began his distinguished career in financial services on Jan. 14, 1974, when he joined Home Savings Association in Chanute after a successful early career in education.
A graduate of Sabetha High School (1964) and Emporia State University (then KSTC) with a BSE in 1969, Mike first served as a K-8 physical education and health teacher, as well as a coach for football, basketball and track in Yates Center from 1969 through the end of 1973. His transition to banking in 1974 marked the beginning of five decades of dedicated service to his community and the banking industry.
Early in his career, Mike attended banking school in Lubbock, Texas, building the expertise that would support his long-term success. He went on to hold numerous leadership positions, including Chairman of the Board for both the Kansas Savings and Loan League and the Heartland Community Bankers Association (2012-2013).
Mike’s contributions extend far beyond banking. He has served on a wide array of local boards in Chanute and received multiple honors from the Chamber of Commerce and Tri-Valley Developmental Services. He currently serves on the boards of the Chanute Housing Authority, Tri-Valley Foundation, NCCC Foundation and Home Savings Bank, and is an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he currently sits on the Finance Committee.
Mike Reid’s 50-year milestone represents a lifetime of service, leadership and dedication to community banking in Kansas. We are proud to welcome him into the KBA 50-Year Club.
