Pub. 8 2019 Issue 2

March/April 2019 15 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 The 2019 BLOK class learns about their association during the KBA 101 presentation. BLOK member Darrin Golliher (Stockgrowers State Bank, Meade) catches up with his state legislator, Rep. Boyd Orr (R-Fowler) and his wife Sandie, at the KBA’s Legislative Reception. enjoyed dinner and more time to get acquainted with the KBA staff and American Bankers Association’s Chief Policy Officer Naomi Camper. Day two focused on state advocacy and began with a session on the legislative process led by KBA SVP-Government Relations Alex Orel and EVP- General Counsel Kathy Taylor. The BLOK class then participated in the KBA Harold A. Stones Public Affairs Conference, followed by a legislative reception at the Topeka Country Club. The third day of session 1 started with a leadership panel designed to expose the class further to the role of a volunteer KBA leader. KBA President and CEO Doug Wareham moderated a panel that included former KBA Chairman Kent Needham (Chairman of the Board, President & CEO of First Security Bank in Overbrook); former KBA Chairman Leonard Wolfe (Chairman, President and CEO of United Bank & Trust in Marysville); and current KBA Chairman Chris Donnelly (President & CEO of Bank of the Prairie, Olathe). The class then sat in on two hours of the KBA Board meeting. The class then transitioned to downtown Topeka to hear from a legislative panel featuring the House Financial Institutions & Pensions Committee Chair Rep. Jim Kelly (R-Independence) and Chair of the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee Sen. Rob Olson (R-Olathe). Rep. Kelly is Executive Vice President with Community National Bank & Trust in Independence, while Senator Olson serves on the board at Bank of the Prairie in Olathe. Following the legislative panel, the group walked to the Statehouse and received a behind the scenes tour from KBA’s Alex Orel. The tour included visiting the Governor’s office and House chamber. During the visit to the Senate chamber, Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine and Sen. Olson recognized the class during the Senate’s general session where they received a standing ovation from the full Senate. BLOK members Jeff Martin (First Heritage Bank, Centralia) and Suzan Saville (FHLBank Topeka) participate in an ice breaking activity during Session I. KBA President & CEO Doug Wareham welcomes the 2019 BLOK class, along with other members of the leadership team (pictured is EVP-General Counsel Kathy Taylor) and KBA Chairman Chris Donnelly.