Pub. 7 2018 Issue 8

October/November 2018 7 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 also led to Doug graduating as the Company Honorman (the top graduate in a class of 590 Marines) from Marine Corps recruit training. Wareham adds, “Staff Sergeant Harper taught me the importance of relentless preparation and that anticipating obstacles and challenges before they surface was a leader’s duty.” Harper’s training proved useful for Wareham at the end of his sophomore year at Kansas State University when he and the rest of the 24th Marine Reserve Regiment headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, was activated for service in 1990-91 for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During his tour, Wareham was assigned as the communications specialist and personal security attaché for a regimental commander responsible for more than 2,000 Marines serving in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. “I loved being part of the Marine Corps organization that always strived for perfection,” shares Wareham. He adds, “I was also very happy to safely return to Kansas State and continue pursuing my educational goals following Desert Storm.” With military service and an agricultural science/education degree from Kansas State University under his belt, Doug landed in a field of work he had never contemplated until that same high school ag teacher, Rundle, steered him toward an opportunity with the Kansas Grain & Feed Association (KGFA), the trade organization representing the commercial grain trade in Kansas. “Being director of member services was the best first job that I could have dreamed of,” shares Wareham who added, “I traveled to every corner of the state calling on grain elevators, which I learned later was one of two foundational businesses that every thriving Kansas community had in common.... the other being at least one community bank.” Doug immediately recognized that being part of a professional team implementing the policies of a trade association was exactly where he could put his passion for serving to work. He also immediately realized that advocating for an industry he truly believed in was the kind of work he could invest in for a lifetime. At KGFA, Doug was once again blessed with having the opportunity to learn from an exceptional mentor by the name of Tom Tunnell. Tunnell, who served as President/CEO of the Kansas Grain & Feed Association and its affiliates from 1980 until earlier this year, introduced Doug to the art of association management. Doug shared, “Tom taught me how important it is to listen to those you represent and then passionately advocate for their interests. He also taught me the need to embrace change and that an important part of an association’s purpose is to help its members navigate through periods of change and disruption.” If providing member services was Doug’s best first job, the opportunity to join the staff of the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) was the culmination of several years working toward a long- term professional goal. “I’d be lying if I didn’t share that I wanted to do a cartwheel when I was approached with the opportunity to become a member of KBA’s staff team,” says Wareham. He adds, “The respect for the KBA at the Kansas Statehouse was readily apparent.” Doug recognized very early in his role as a statehouse lobbyist that Jim Maag, Chuck Stones and Kathy Taylor were all highly respected for the professional approach they took when representing Kansas bankers. Joining team KBA in 2004, which coincided with the impending retirement of Jim Maag, ended up being an easy decision for Doug, especially after a brief phone conversation with his banker father. “Dad simply told me every banker you work with will be a leader in their community, every banker will be a professional in their work and every banker will believe in the mission of the KBA.” After joining the staff, Doug wasted little time putting his mark on programs and services offered by the KBA. He immediately engaged on behalf of Kansas bankers at the Kansas In 2010, Doug was recognized as the Association Professional of the Year by the Kansas Society of Association Executives. Doug and KBA Chairman Donnelly discusses priorities prior to the KBA Board’s strategic planning process. Doug, seen here with Rep. Susan Concannon, brings 22 years of government relations experience to KBA’s helm. Doug and Troy Soukup, KBA Division President (Citizens State Bank & Trust, Ellsworth) promote banking careers at the FFA & 4-H Career Fair. continued on page 8