Pub. 7 2018 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 16 SchwabThanks KBA Leadership Newly-Elected Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab dropped by a recent KBA Board dinner event held in Olathe, Kansas to thank KBA leadership for the support he received during his recent campaign. Schwab outpaced his opponent Brian McClendon 54% to 45% to win the Secretary of State (SOS) post. Schwab, who resides in Olathe, is a former Chairman of the Kansas House Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee and has been a stalwart supporter of maintaining a positive environment for community banking in Kansas. “We are fortunate to have Scott representing and working for all Kansans as our next Secretary of State,” shares Chris Donnelly, KBA Chairman and President/CEO of Bank of the Prairie, also headquartered in Olathe. Donnelly adds, “Scott will make sure the business services our industry depends on within the SOS office run smoothly and the fact that he made a special effort to thank KBA’s board for the support he received from bankers across Kansas shows a lot of class as well.” Pictured from left to right are: KBA Past Chairman Ron Johnson (Community National Bank, Seneca), KBA Chairman-Elect Kurt Knutson (Freedom Bank, Overland Park), Secretary of State-Elect Schwab, KBA Chairman Chris Donnelly (Bank of the Prairie, Olathe) and KBA Vice Chairman Jonathon Johnson (Home Savings Bank, Chanute). Graber Joins KANZA Bank KANZA Bank has hired seasoned banker and Pretty Prairie native Julie Graber as vice president of Agricultural/Commercial Lending at its Hutchinson loan office. Executive Vice President Barry Purdy noted that two decades in the banking industry in markets of South Central Kansas makes Graber an ideal addition. “We look for relevant experience in our lenders, and Julie’s background fits that profile,” Purdy stated. “Her background and community involvement provide a solid foundation for understanding our customers and the community.” Graber has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Kansas State University and 20 years’ experience in the banking industry. Peoples Bank & Trust, McPherson Celebrates 120th Anniversary Peoples Bank & Trust celebrated it’s 120 th year anniversary on November 1 in the newly remodeled lobby at the downtown McPherson location. RCB Bank donates $2,500 to Winfield Community Food Pantry Kansas Bankers Complete Executive Development Institute For Community Banks The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado is pleased to announce that two Kansas bankers have graduated from the Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers, a rigorous 19-month leadership development program for up and coming executive officers of community banks. Tyson Oakes and Clint Shoemaker were two of 11 community bank executives from around the U.S. to be recognized for completing the program, which combines hands-on leadership development training with sophisticated bank management strategies to position community bank executives for long- term success. “The time and effort invested by these graduates to better themselves and their banks is significant,” said GSBC President Tim Koch. “Their communities should be proud to have leaders who are ac preparing for a successful future.” Briefly... In Kansas Banking Back row pictured left to right: Bryce Brewer, John Houghton, Mark Houghton, Stan Smith, Herb Iams (KBA); Front row pictured left to right: Doug Wareham (KBA), Tom Pruitt, Matt Morrow. Pictured left to right: Scott Schoon, Food Pantry volunteer; Robyn Tapia, RCB Bank customer service representative supervisor; Lonnie McCullough, Winfield market president; Mari Wallrabenstein, Food Pantry volunteer; Gloria Ulbrich, RCB Bank retail coordinator; Caroline Kaufman, RCB Bank community and customer relations. Clint Shoemaker, The Guaranty State Bank & Trust, Beloit, Kansas Tyson Oaks, FirstOak Bank Independence, Kansas