Thank you to the 100+ Kansas bankers who attended the 2024 Young Bank Officers of Kansas Annual Conference! There was a great crowd in Hays at the Robbins Center at Fort Hays State University. We believe attendees came away with some great tools and connections to take back to their respective institutions to better the communities and customers they serve! The following is a brief recap of the conference, including the new YBOK Board of Directors. Thank you to our very generous sponsors who helped make this conference happen! We hope to see you all again at next year’s annual conference in Lawrence!
2024-25 YBOK Division Board of Directors
- Francis Scheuerman, President, UMB Bank, Kansas City
- Rocky Anderson, Vice President, Kaw Valley Bank, Topeka
- Beth Masterson, Secretary/Treasurer, Legacy Bank, Wichita
- Nick Wolfe, Past President, United Bank & Trust, Marysville
- Nick Gideon, Region 1, Silver Lake Bank, Lawrence
- Alex Jones, Region 1, Bank of Commerce, Neodesha (nominated for second three-year term)
- Greg Thiessen, Region 2, First Bank of Beloit, Beloit
- Tom Sheik, Region 2, State Bank of Bern, Bern
- Victoria Pruitt, Region 3, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Hutchinson
- Brock Stuhlsatz, Region 3, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Derby
- Amanda Williams, At-Large Representative, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita
- Jenell Hulse, At-Large Representative, Bank of the Plains, Salina (nominated for first three-year term)
- Jordan Lauer, At-Large Representative, Farmers State Bank, Westmoreland (nominated for second three-year term)
- Andrew Holtgraves, Ambassador, Mortgage Investment Services Corp., Shawnee
- Tyler Walden, Ambassador, AGH, Wichita
- Jason Hatfield, Ambassador, Security 1st Title, Wichita
Thank you to KBA Board Vice Chairman Kendal Kay and YBOK President Nick Wolfe for opening the 2024 YBOK Annual Conference! KBA Board Vice Chairman Kendal Kay thanked the bankers in attendance for their willingness to attend the conference and for committing to grow as a Kansas banker. Kay emphasized that events like these are critical for the development, growth and networking of bankers across the state and challenged the attendees to take what they learned back to their bank and community to get more engaged in pushing the industry forward and thanking their bank for investing in them to attend.
Leading with Emotional Intelligence: The Heart of Effective Leadership”
Dr. Emily Lehning, Roots and Legacies Consulting
Dr. Emily Lehning, Roots and Legacies Consulting, was the day’s first speaker, delivering an insightful session on effectively leading with emotional intelligence. Dr. Lehning emphasized to attendees that their ability to connect with colleagues and customers of all ages and backgrounds will be the game changer in the future, professionally and personally.
“Training & Retaining the Next Generation”
KBA/Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Robbins Banking Institute (RBI) Panel
The second session of the conference featured a dynamic panel discussion with W.R. Robbins, Chairman & CEO of Farmers Bank & Trust; Jason Williby, President & CEO of the FHSU Foundation; Dr. Dosse Toulaboe, Chair & Professor of Robbins College of Business & Entrepreneurship; and Dr. Emily Breit, Professor of Finance. The panel focused on strategies for training and retaining the next generation of bankers in Kansas. W.R. Robbins shared his vision and inspiration for establishing RBI and how it would address the needs of the banking industry and prepare future professionals. Dr. Toulaboe and Dr. Breit talked about the impact RBI is already having on the industry and the option available for current Kansas bankers to continue their education and training online and at a reasonable price. Jason Williby talked about the partnerships RBI has created for the University and how it has attracted the industry to support the University’s initiatives to train the next generation. Special thanks to Alex Orel, SVP of Government Relations, for moderating the session.
A View from Washington, D.C.
U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann
In our third session of the conference, we had the privilege of hearing from U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann. His insights from Washington, D.C., provided a valuable perspective on Congress’ current priorities, including the development of a new Farm Bill, his office’s continued opposition to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed 1071 Rule, and his election outlook. We sincerely thank Congressman Mann for taking the time to speak with us and share his expertise and his service to Kansas!
President/CEO Panel
During the President/CEO Panel, attendees heard from Chris Wente, President & CEO of Golden Belt Bank, and Jordan Lauer, President & CEO of Farmers State Bank and current YBOK Board Member. The panelists shared their insights on industry trends, what they are doing at their institution to combat fraud, how they got to their current positions within the bank, and valuable advice from their mentors along the way that attendees could also learn from. A special thank you to YBOK Board Ambassador Tyler Walden with Allen Gibbs & Houlik, CPA, and Advisors who moderated the panel.
Corporate Citizenship Recipient
Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation/Robbins Banking Institute
Every year, the YBOK Board and conference attendees select a Corporate Citizenship Recipient to receive $1,500 to help advance their organization’s mission. This year, through funds raised from conference attendees and the division, the Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation/Robbins Banking Institute partnership was selected to help fund a $500 scholarship for the next three semesters to the FHSU student who is working for the partnership as a liaison between the industry/KBA and university students. This student will help recruit current students to the banking program and be a representative of the industry/KBA at school-wide events. This year’s liaison is Brooke Renshaw, who is currently a senior at FHSU, double majoring in accounting and finance.
2025 YBOK President Announced
Francis Scheuerman, UMB Bank
Thank you to 2024 YBOK President Nick Wolfe, United Bank and Trust in Marysville, for your dedication and service to the Division. The Division is excited to announce Francis Scheuerman, UMB Bank in Kansas City, as the new 2025 YBOK President! In this role, Francis will not only lead the YBOK Division but will also be YBOK’s representative on the KBA Board of Directors for the next year, where he will be able to share valuable insight with the board on the developments and priorities of young bankers across the state.
Economic Update
Brent Bundick, Vice President & Senior Advisor, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank
Brent Bundick, Vice President & Senior Advisor at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, provided an insightful economic update on inflation, the labor market, and the Fed’s recent action to lower interest rates. Brent talked about the likelihood of the continued rate decreases over the next year, the current strength of the industry in the Fed’s district, and how the ag economy is responding to continued low commodity prices and high input costs. Thank you, Brent, for your expertise!
KBA and Government Relations Update
Alex Orel, SVP of Government Relations
KBA’s SVP of Government Relations gave an association and government relations update to attendees. Alex Orel emphasized that the association is firing on all cylinders to provide the best possible service to all Kansas bankers. Orel mentioned that the KBA is in the middle of developing a new three-year strategic plan that will give the strategic direction to the KBA for the next couple of years. Orel also talked about the priorities of the government relations team, including the push to modernize the state’s investment philosophy and drive more state investment back to Kansas banks, which will be KBA’s No. 1 priority in next year’s state legislative session.
“Creating Team Engagement and Connection: Transforming Organizational Culture with the L.E.A.D. Operating System”
Neil Stevens, President & CEO, Oconee State Bank
We wrapped up our annual YBOK conference with an engaging session with Neil Stevens, President and CEO of Oconee State Bank, on fostering team engagement, connections and a vibrant work culture. A heartfelt thank you to all our young bankers who attended, and a special shoutout to Fort Hays State University Foundation for hosting us at the Robbins Center! Mark your calendars for next year, Oct. 8-10 in Lawrence!
As a young banker, getting involved in the political process is critical, and we need your voice to help us keep fighting the fight in Topeka and Washington, D.C.! As a YBOKer, you can attend the Annual Government Relations Conference in Topeka on Feb. 5 at a discounted rate. Please go ahead and mark your calendars; we will see you in Topeka!
