Pub. 8 2019 Issue 5

September/October 2019 21 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 Brenda Elliott, First Heritage Bank, Centralia Brenda Elliott started her banking career with First National Bank of Centralia, now First Heritage Bank, in 1969. She first began as a teller and for the past 40 years she has been Assistant Vice President. She has also held the position of the mayor of Centralia since 2007 and is very active in her community by serving on the Centralia Ball Association, is the manager of Centralia Housing Development and extremely involved in her church. Jim Kelly, Community National Bank, Independence Jim Kelly was born and raised in Independence. After graduating from Emporia State University, he returned to Independence in 1969 where he was an officer trainee at Citizens National Bank. Over the last 50 years, the name of the bank has changed but Jim has remained loyal to his customers and community. In 2008, he was named Executive Vice President of Community National Bank. Jim is a trusted leader in the bank and on the street. He is a former Independence City Commissioner and mayor and is currently serving his second term in the Kansas House of Representatives. 50 YEAR CLUB Phil Howe Phil Howe, current Chairman of the Board, founded Kansas State Bank (now KS StateBank) in February 1969 with temporary headquarters in a mobile home sitting on what is now Westloop Shopping Center in Manhattan. From the compact office space with five employees to now; growing to almost 300 employees at branches and offices across Kansas, Minnesota, Arizona and Missouri and building nearly $2 billion in total assets. Jerry Anderson, CoreFirst Bank & Trust, Topeka Jerry Anderson started his career in banking as a part-time teller in 1969 at then Commerce Bank & Trust (now CoreFirst Bank & Trust) and currently serves as Senior Vice President & Senior Investment Officer. In his 50-year career at the bank he has held numerous positions including Auditor & Comptroller, Senior Vice President & Controller and Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer. Mary Taylor (KBA VP – Communications & Marketing), Brenda Elliott and Matt Bachman (First Heritage Bank, EVP). Kathy Taylor (KBA EVP-General Counsel) and Phil Howe. Doug Wareham (KBA President & CEO), Jim Kelly and Chris Donnelly (KBA Past Chairman). Kurt Kuta (CoreFirst President & CEO), Jerry Anderson, Duane Fager (CoreFirst Chairman) and Doug Wareham (KBA President & CEO)