Pub. 4 2015 Issue 4

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 8 YBOK President Kathy Schwerdtfager, Bank of Tescott, Lincoln; Jarrod Rowland, Alden State Bank, Sterling; and Grant Paitz, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita YBOK IN DODGE CITY T HE YOUNG BANK OFFICERS OF KANSAS (YBOK) 2015 Spring Conference was held in Dodge City, Kansas on May 7-8. The trip to the western side of the state didn’t inhibit attendance or participation. The spring conference is where the annual meeting and board member elections take place. Kathy Schwerdtfager was elected to the top spot and will serve as the KBA-YBOK Division President for one year. Barry Thompson, Thompson Consulting Group, LLC, delivered the opening keynote presentation titled, “Internal Fraud: Missing the Signs.” Thompson has worked in the financial services industry for over three decades, and has held the positions of security officer, compliance officer, treasurer, senior vice president, and executive vice president. He has handled over 900 security cases and has been involved with investigations and prosecutions at federal, state and local levels. Thompson described behaviors that should draw pause and explained why we often overlook the people showing all of the signs. He also spoke of the types of controls that must be in place. Back by popular demand, the CEO Panel was revived in Dodge City. The panel was made up by Tina Call, CEO of First National Bank in Liberal; Mike Cearley, President of Centera Bank in Sublette; and Mike Palen, President of Western State Bank in Garden City. The panel was very informative in their discussion about the future of community banks, the role of technology and the criteria they look for with new hires and key promotions. Steve Happel, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Arizona State University, provided an economics discussion titled, “How Much Has the Economy Improved Over the Past Two Years and Its Relevance for Political and Social Environments.” Kansas is #40 in job growth nationwide and the number one growth area in our state is in education. All metropolitan areas in Kansas are below the national average in job growth. He gave examples of how the Republican Congress is helping people at the bottom through policy change and that more policy change will be necessary to gradually move large segments off of welfare programs. A third of the US population is currently enrolled in at least one welfare program. He believes the next election will center on free market capitalism because of failed liberal policies. Crystal Jonas, provided an interactive session on “Emotional Intelligence.” She stated that people need to learn to be more comfortable with being direct. Honesty with awareness of how you come across to people will increase your ability to persuade and influence people. Credibility, emotional connection and logic are key factors in a person’s success. She stated that it has been proven that emotional intelligence (EQ) is more powerful than IQ in building power, loyalty and friendships. Opportunity cost is what you sacrifice when you choose to leave your people skills behind and chase logic alone. Following the speaker portion of the conference, a networking session was held at the Depot Theater with entertainment fresh from Nashville. Kyndon Oakes works part time for his family bank (FirstOak Bank in Independence, Kansas), while he pursues a career in music in Nashville. Kyndon brought his friend, Mark Vikingstad, from Nashville to perform for the YBOK attendees. The conference concluded with a golf scramble on Friday morning at Mariah Hills Golf Club.