Pub. 5 2016 Issue 9

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 20 LEON FLAX, FIDELITY STATE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, DODGE CITY, RETIRING IN DECEMBER Leon Flax, Sr. VP of Agricultural Lending will be retiring from Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company in Dodge City, Kansas. Leon’s last day will be celebrated with a “come and go” retirement reception to be held on Friday afternoon, December 30, 2016. Leon started with Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company in 1971 and, upon retirement, will have been in banking for 45 years. During his banking career, Leon has been involved with numerous community and banking organizations such as Kansas State University Extension, Kansas Farm Management, Kansas Ag Bankers, the Ford County Fair Board, and Dodge City Roundup, among others. In addition, Leon has been directly involved in his own farming and livestock enterprises. His career was highlighted with the honor of being awarded the 2012 inaugural Kansas Ag Bankers Pioneer Award, which is awarded to those agricultural bankers who exemplify the best in agricultural lending. THE FARMERS’ STATE BANK OF JETMORE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF SERVICE The Farmers’ State Bank of Jetmore, a Branch of Bank of Hays, celebrates 100 years of existence in 2016. The employees hosting an open house the week of September 26-30 with door prizes, refreshments, cash giveaways and a memorabilia table featuring many of the first directors, stockholders and officers from 1916, along with assorted exhibits from their first 100 years. It was estimated 500 people attended the celebration. BILL FERGUSON APPOINTED NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AT CENTRAL BANK OF THE MIDWEST Central Bank of the Midwest announced that Bill Ferguson has joined the bank as President and Chief Operating Officer on October 31, 2016. “Bill brings strong leadership experience and a desire to see our bank grow in this challenging operational environment,” said Tom Fitzsimmons, CEO of Central Bank of the Midwest. “His wide range of experience in banking fits perfectly with our strategic plan in meeting the needs of our customers for the future.” Most recently Bill served as Executive Vice President and Director of Treasury Management and Sales for Commerce Bank. Previously, Bill was the Executive Vice President for Consumer and Small Business Banking at Bank Midwest, a subsidiary of National Bank Holdings Corporation. Prior to that he served in a similar capacity for Commerce Bank for nine years. He has been in banking for over 30 years and holds an executive MBA from the Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree from the University of Nebraska. HAGGARD NAMED PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY BANK The Board of Directors of Community Bank has named Calla Haggard President of Community Bank. Haggard has nearly 30 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been with Community Bank for 15 years, most recently as Senior Vice President and Senior Lender. As President, Haggard will also serve on the bank’s Board of Directors. “Calla has been an integral part of our management team, and we look forward to her continuing to serve our customers in her new and expanded role,” said bank Chief Executive Officer Carl Koupal. Briefly... In Kansas Banking