Pub 1 2012 Issue 1

I have the honor and privilege of being Chairman of KBA in 2012 as we commemorate our 125th anniversary. As I reflected on my 30-plus year banking career, I was immediately struck by the fact that I could not remember a time when KBA was not integrally involved. I had been in banking for only a short time when I had the oppor - tunity to attend a KBA conference in Manhattan. I came away from that first KBA experience with two revelations that have been corner- stones of my career ever since. The first was simple, that Kansas bankers are outstanding people. Whether they are co-workers, colleagues or competitors, they are always available as friends, advisors or simply good listeners. They are always willing to share andmany become lifelong friends, including some I met at that first KBA meeting. The second principle came from a simple question on a self- evaluation test: What characteris- tic do you have that will allow you to excel in a banking career? The answer was and is simple, always take pride and find pleasure in helping other people be successful. The more successful your custom- ers, co-workers and friends are, the more successful your career and life will be. I have been blessed in my banking career to have served on many KBA committees, two KBA boards of directors and as KBA Chairman in 2010-2011. Through these experiences, I witnessed an incredible depth and breadth of leadership excellence among those that graciously devote their time and energy to serve the industry in which we are so passionate: community banking. The KBA, through and through, truly exhib- its a culture of profound excellence and I am forever grateful to have been able to play a small role and to “contribute a verse.” Perhaps, the “verse” I ammost proud during my tenure as Chair- man, is having witnessed the KBA Board of Directors and KBA staff come together to evaluate the concept, and proper execu- tion of, establishing a Consulting Subsidiary; an idea introduced by an always-competent KBA staff, motivated to meet the challenges to serve community banks in a hos- tile regulatory and legislative en- vironment. In my opinion, a bold initiative but a further illustration of the KBA staff, board of directors and committeemembers —always coming together to passionately serve and find solutions to issues affecting the KBA membership. It was a great joy to have been a part of the KBA over the course of the last many years, and I remain grateful for that experience. Thank you for all of your support and your active interest in serving and continuing to serve our association and our industry. During my term as Chairman I would often refer to the KBA mis- sion statement: To support and assist Kansas banks and bankers. That goal is always in the minds of the bankers that volunteer to serve as Board members, com- mittee members or as officers for the KBA, as well as KBA staff members. My term as Chairman found our organization in the middle of a national financial and regulatory crisis. This provided us withmany challenges. Below is only a snap- shot of events with great impact on our membership of community bankers: • The corporate structure of the Kansas Bankers Association was voted by membership and passed to increase the number of Board of Directors positions to reflect the banks in our state and dissolve the Governing Council. • Congress passed the Dodd- Frank Act that the Wall Street Journal called, “the biggest expansion of government power over banking since the Depres- sion.” With this came the cre- ation of at least 234 newbanking rules and regulations. • Increase in the grassroots ef - forts of our membership at the national level addressed many topics including the Dodd- Frank Act, Durbin Amendment, CFPB and the overall shift in regulatory examinations. The experience of being Chair- man for this organizationwas both fulfilling and challenging and one that solidified my belief in our system of community banks and bankers, filling a very important need in our country. John Boyer, IV KANZA Bank, Kingman KBA Chairman 2010- 11 Jeannette Richardson Farmers National Bank, Hutchinson KBA Chairman 2009- 10 John Lehman First National Bank, Girard KBA Chairman 2011- 12