Pub. 9 2020 Issue 2

March/April 2020 5 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 KEEP MOVING FORWARD W henever times get tough or doubt begins to creep up on me, I always harken back to some very important words shared by Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Byron Harper. SSGT Harper was my senior drill instructor at Marine Corps Boot Camp during the summer of 1988. He was disciplined, demanding, strategic, intelligent and above all, driven to achieve whatever task that lay before him and the Marines he guided. Harper wasn’t your average drill instructor. During the 13-week training regime I shared with him, he was recognized as the top drill instructor for the entire Marine Corps. To this day, he is the most focused and determined leader I’ve ever witnessed in action. His actions were always well organized and his implementation was relentless. It was during a very long forced march (a very fast-paced hike, with a very heavy pack over very steep terrain) that SSGT Harper shared these words: “It doesn’t matter how steep the climb or what obstacles might stand in your way. What matters is your absolute willingness always to take the next step toward accomplishing your mission.” SSGT Byron Harper – 1988 As COVID-19 continues to threaten the lives of our most vulnerable family, friends and neighbors, and as the negative ramifications of this crisis threaten the economies of our communities, our state and our nation, it’s important that we remind ourselves of our mission and then take the next step, and the next step, and the next step toward accomplishing that mission. KBA’s Mission Statement: Together we support our member banks and bankers with leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit the communities and customers they serve. I want to commend every Kansas banker for the leadership and fortitude you are providing in your respective communities. The resilience you have shown to protect your employees and customers from the health threat posed by Coronavirus is noteworthy. Your efforts to provide your business customers with financial relief and help them wade through the unprecedented roll out of the Paycheck Protection Program is worthy of the Hall of Fame. On behalf of the entire KBA staff team, I want you to know we have never been more proud to be affiliated with such a dynamic and impactful industry. Just as Kansas banks and Kansas bankers are looked to for leadership in the communities they serve, I hope you will reach out to the KBA for the support, information, services and whatever additional assistance you need. We stand ready to serve you moving forward. By Doug Wareham, KBA President and CEO “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein