The 40th Anniversary Summit at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs was nothing short of spectacular! More than 500 attendees gathered to hear an outstanding lineup of speakers and connect with our incredible sponsors. Take a look at some of this year’s highlights.
KBA Chairman’s Address
KBA Chair Gene Dikeman, Bank of the Plains, Hutchinson, opened the CEO Summit by celebrating a strong year for Kansas bankers and the KBA, marked by reduced regulatory burdens. He shared KBA’s “Top Ten” accomplishments, including passage of the ACRE Act, which is already lowering ag real estate interest rates, and the adoption of public funds reform returning over $1 billion to Kansas communities. Gene also highlighted and expanded on insurance and employee benefits offerings for bank employees statewide.
Mountainside Policy Chat with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and ABA President & CEO Rob Nichols
KBA Chair Gene Dikeman and KBA President & CEO Doug Wareham were joined by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and ABA President & CEO Rob Nichols for a Washington, D.C., Policy Chat covering a wide array of issues ranging from the implementation of the ACRE Act to the adoption of a federal policy framework for stablecoins to ABA’s recently announced recommendations for FDIC Deposit Insurance Reform.
Senator Moran presented former KBA Chair and longtime ACRE Act advocate Leonard Wolfe, United Bank & Trust, Marysville (left) and KBA President & CEO Doug Wareham (right) with framed redline copies of the Access to Credit for Rural Economy (ACRE) Act provision included in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump on July 4. The redline copies included President Trump’s signature.
Update from the OSBC
State Bank Commissioner David Herndon provided timely updates from the OSBC, highlighting regulatory developments, industry trends and key priorities directly impacting Kansas banks. He emphasized the resilience and strength of Kansas banks, which continue to play a vital role in supporting their communities and driving local economic growth.
KBA Insurance Special Guests
On stage, Alex Greig and Elizabeth Roche of KBA Insurance Inc. were joined by Matt All of BCBS and Dennis Schlaffer of Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions for a conversation on the most pressing insurance issues facing community bankers.
What followed was a conversation that dove into the biggest costs and concerns community bankers have regarding health insurance and bank insurance. Matt shared how BCBS is working to keep health care costs affordable, taking steps such as engaging local providers to find the best options and working with drug companies to lower costs.
Dennis spoke about the risks bankers and bank board members face in today’s litigious environment. He encouraged bankers in the room to review policies to ensure that they do not have exclusions that would lead to a loss.
Special 40th Anniversary Guest
We were thrilled to welcome Rob Riggle — beloved actor, comedian and retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel — to the Summit! Sharing the stage with KBA President Doug Wareham, also a retired Marine, the two veterans sparked a lively and fun exchange that set the tone for the session. Known for his quick wit and larger-than-life personality, Rob energized the room during a special Q&A, blending hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood with inspiring experiences from his military service. He also shared leadership lessons that resonated deeply with attendees. The session was an unforgettable mix of laughter, insight and motivation — a true highlight of the Summit.
KBA’s Kathy Taylor, JD Receives Flint Factor Award for Dedicated Service and Leadership
We celebrated Kathy Taylor, JD, KBA’s EVP and General Counsel, with a special retirement tribute recognizing her years of dedicated service and leadership. Her impact on the Kansas banking community continues to inspire us all as she prepares for her exciting next chapter. Thank you, Kathy. We look forward to celebrating your official KBA retirement in January.
Vice Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Update — Miki Bowman
We were honored to welcome Kansas native Miki Bowman, Vice Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, to the KBA Summit. Her insights on banking supervision, regulation and the evolving financial landscape were both timely and impactful. Joining Miki on stage was former KBA Board Chair Mark Schifferdecker, Chairman, President & CEO of GNBank, Girard.
Eric Kelley, UMB Economist
Eric Kelley, economist at UMB Bank, closed out the KBA Summit with a dynamic analysis of the economic road ahead. He broke down the latest interest rate trends, inflation pressures and market movements, offering clear insights into how these forces are likely to shape the banking industry in the coming months. His presentation also explored broader economic indicators, sector performance forecasts and potential policy shifts on the horizon.
KBA Proudly Welcomes New Board Chair
In a time-honored tradition, outgoing Board Chair Gene Dikeman presented incoming Board Chair Julie Hower with the symbolic KBA watch, marking the official transition of leadership.
Meet your 2025-2026 Officer Team
Jim Maag Golf Scramble Winners
A big thank you to Central States Capital Markets for sponsoring the traveling golf trophy. Your support makes this tradition truly special!
Congratulations to This Year’s 50-Year Club Award Recipients
Century of Family Banking Award — The Butcher/Fairbank Family
Congratulations to the Butcher/Fairbank family for a century of dedication to serving their communities!
Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation
The Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation’s (KBEF) 5th Annual Auction & Raffle was a record-breaking success, raising $51,013, the highest total in the event’s history! Proceeds will directly support KBEF’s mission to provide scholarships for future banking professionals, promote career opportunities in the Kansas banking industry and deliver financial literacy programs across the state. We sincerely thank our donors, sponsors and bidders for their contributions. Your support makes a lasting impact on both the Kansas banking industry and the communities it serves. A big shout-out to our newest KBEF Legacy Donors! These generous individuals have each committed $10,000 to the Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation. Thank you for your strong support.
Retiring KBA Board Members
We extend our sincere appreciation to these individuals for their dedicated service and steadfast commitment to our association, Kansas banks and the bankers we serve.
Distinguished Award for Service on the Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Save The Date
The 2026 KBA CEO & Senior Management Summit returns to The Broadmoor on August 6-8, 2026.
Reserve your room today by calling (855) 634-7711 and requesting the Kansas Bankers Association room block. If a night is sold out, ask to be added to the waitlist. Last year, the block was filled by October, so don’t wait!
