Pub. 4 2015 Issue 8

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 18 Briefly... In Kansas Banking Former KBA President, Jim Maag, Featured in An Oral History of the Kansas Legislature Event. A pilot program designed to preserve an oral history of the Kansas legislature held an event on September 29, 2015, in the Old Supreme Court room at the Statehouse. The Oral History Working Group is led by Dr. Ramon Powers who has led the State Historical Society and worked in the Legislative Research Division at the Capitol. The project consists of a series of ten interviews of former Kansas legislators. Jim Maag, former KBA President and former Speaker Pro Tem from Dodge City, was asked to reflect on his decade-long legislative term in his interview. Jim served from 1969 until 1976 and then served as Governor Bennet’s Legislative Liaison. He remarked on how the 1970’s fostered many changes including the number of women serving and of lobbyists in the Capitol. The Working Group is in the process of creating a new non-profit organization in order to receive donations to continue the project. For more information, go to the Shawnee County Historical Society website: http://shawneecountyhistory.net/aboutus.html Stockgrowers State Bank Would Like to Welcome Steven Niemack and Shea Kirsop to the Team! Stockgrowers State Bank is pleased to announce Steven Niemack as their new President and Chief Executive Officer. Steve joined the bank this past June bringing Stockgrowers over 30 years of banking knowledge. “Under Steve’s leadership, the bank is focused on addressing industry challenges and assuring excellent customer service,” said Max Fuller, Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors. Steve has served as a Bank CEO since 1988 for two different successful Kansas banks before joining the Stockgrowers team. Steve recognizes the strengths of Stockgrowers State Bank and has a history of building strong customer relationships. Steve is active in many state organizations including both the Kansas and Community Bankers Associations. He has also served on many appointed task forces in addition to volunteering time in a number of civic and charitable organizations. Stockgrowers State Bank Would Also Like to Welcome Shea Kirsop. Shea joined the SSB family in August and currently supports all lending departments as a Credit Analyst. He graduated from Washburn University and received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and minor in Leadership Studies. Shea’s experience has been in business development, corporate sales and marketing. He worked on the corporate sales team for a large corporation in Topeka before joining Stockgrowers. Shea actively volunteers and supports many leadership programs in and around the community. He also attends Fellowship Bible Church, where he volunteers on the connections team. Shea will be based out of the Maple Hill location and is looking forward to serving the community. Rose Hill Bank Elects Salina Attorney Pete Peterson to Board of Directors Rose Hill Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American State Bancshares, has elected Salina attorney Peter L. “Pete” Peterson to its Board of Directors. The announcement was made recently by American State Bancshares President and CEO Donald R. LacKamp and comes on the heels of that company’s acquisition of the Salina branches of Simmons First National Bank, which are now operating as branches of Rose Hill Bank. Pete Peterson is a partner in the Salina law firm of Clark, Mize & Linville, where he has focused primarily on tax, financial, charitable and estate planning since 1973. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since its inception, and has earned the highest ratings from his profession’s peer-review organizations. Peterson is a Certified Financial Planner, a Fellow in the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel, and the author and presenter of numerous continuing education programs for both lawyers and non- lawyers. The Kansas Society of CPAs has named him outstanding continuing professional education instructor. First Bank of Sterling Welcomes Keith Geist to Their Team. Keith Geist has joined the team of First Bank of Sterling, Lyons, Chase and Hutchinson. He will service the Hutchinson First Bank Loan Production Office through commercial, agriculture and residential lending previously handled by Marion Miller who will be transitioning into retirement. Geist brings 31 years of banking experience to this position. Prior to joining First Bank, Keith was Senior Vice-President of Community National Bank and Trust in Benton, Kansas. Geist graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Business Administration before starting his banking career. He has successfully served the Wichita area community with his commercial, agricultural, residential and personal banking skills. He has also been highly involved in community outreach and public relations in the past. Outside of work, Keith’s interests are agriculture, economics and traveling with family. Keith and his wife Lorna plan to move to the Sterling area, which he calls home.