Pub. 2 2013 Issue 6

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 16 T he 2013 Bank Leaders of Kan- sas (BLOK) class accompanied the KBA Federal Affairs Committee (FAC) on their annual visit to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of all Kansas bankers. Learning the Washington process takes on a stronger flavor as the class meets with federal regulators including the FDIC, CFPB and OCC alongside their seasoned counterparts on the FAC. Interacting with elected officials is also a prominent segment of this session as the financial services industry is directly affected by legislation passed by Congress that mandates or authorizes agencies to issue the regulations we are held to. The trip was kicked off with a monument tour that included the Iwo Jima Memorial, World War II Memorial, White House, Jefferson Me- morial, Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and many others. The group had a chance to meet family members and see the sights with Doug Wareham, SVP Government Relations, providing commentary and snacks along the way. The business sessions began with “ABA 101,” led by SVP- State As - sociation Division Gary Fields, who provided an overview of the his- tory, governance and structure of the American Bankers Association. Following this session the group joined the FAC for a synopsis of the federal issues that the ABA is currently focused on. Another highlight for the BLOK class was the luncheon discussion with the Chiefs of Staff for both Senator Pat Roberts and Congressman Tim Huelskamp. Jackie Cottrell serves as Chief of Staff to Senator Pat Roberts and also served as his principal political strategist during his first campaign for the Senate. Jim Pfaff is the Chief of Staff for Congressman Tim Huelskamp and has an impressive political career that stretches over three decades. The class received insight on how political offices run behind the scenes as well as how to best communicate a message to our elected officials. “The purpose of the federal affairs trip in BLOK session 3 is to teach the class about how to impact the financial services industry through direct communication with policy makers. An added dividend is the networking and mentorship that evolves between the BLOK class and the Federal Affairs Committee members,” states Wareham. “The trip to D.C. was by far the highlight of my professional career and beyond that, one of the best trips I have ever taken!” stated BLOK Class mem - ber, Lonnie Wild, St. Marys State Bank. BLOK Session III March on D.C. The 2013 BLOK class pictured with KBA Chairman Frank Carson and Chairman-elect Leonard Wolfe while visiting the FDIC. Left to right: Christine May (Guaranty State Bank & Trust, Beloit), Darlene Schmidt (State Bank of Delphos, Delphos), Lonnie Wild (St. Marys State Bank, St. Marys), Brian Eilert (First National Bank, Beloit), Tim Smith (Astra Bank, Hays), Codi Mason (Centera Bank, Sublette), Craig Heideman (Kaw Valley Bank, Topeka), Jan Endicott (Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland), KBA Chairman-elect Leonard Wolfe (United Bank & Trust, Marysville), Miki Bowman (Farmers & Drovers Bank, Council Grove), Mike Miller (Montezuma State Bank, Copeland), KBA Chairman Frank Carson (Carson Bank, Mulvane), Lisa Nyp (Midwest Com- munity Bank, Palco), Matt Needham (Crossfirst Advisors, Leawood), Todd English (Western State Bank, Dodge City), Tammy Marrs (Citizens State Bank, Miltonville), Patrick Harbert (Equity Bank, Wichita), Wes Spohr (INTRUST Bank NA, Wichita).