Pub. 9 2020 Issue 2

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 8 2020 BANK LEADERS OF KANSAS CLASS CONVENES FOR SESSION 1 K BA launched the Bank Leaders of Kansas (BLOK) program in 2006 with a vision of developing Kansas bankers and exposing them to a wide range of topics that influence the industry, while building a collaborative networking community. The 15th BLOK class convened for their first session in Topeka at the KBA office February 5, 2020. This year’s class is comprised of Chris Bartlett, Chief Lending Officer, First National Bank of Kansas, Waverly; Lance Caldwell, Regional Director, Promontory Network, Overland Park; Heather Campbell, Senior Associate, KCoe Isom, LLP, Wichita; Shelly Coats, VP, Compliance Officer/HR, TriCentury Bank, Spring Hill; Ed Dewey, Community Bank President, GNBank, NA, Bucklin; Andrew Ellner, Vice President/Loan Officer, Bank of the Prairie, Olathe; Tricia Fowler, Branch Manager, Heartland Tri-State Bank, Arlington; Lacey Frehe, Vice President, United Bank & Trust, Seneca; Alex Jones, Vice President, First Neodesha Bank, Neodesha; Denise Kissinger, Market Manager/Banking Center Manager, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Lawrence; Christopher Kuckelman, Compliance & Legal Counsel, Exchange Bank & Trust, Lansing; Jim Metz, Trust Officer, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Lincoln; David Moore, Market President, Central National Bank, Lawrence; Kaylene Plummer, SVP, Data Operations Officer, Farmers State Bank, Westmoreland; Brian Schwarz, Senior Vice President, First Bank Kansas, Salina; Jeff Steiner, VP – Regional Account Manager, FHLBank Topeka, Topeka; Grady Trumble, Chief Financial Officer, Legacy Bank, Wichita; Kelly VanZwoll, Staff Attorney/Compliance Auditor/Lobbyist, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka; Brian Whitesell, Vice President/Commercial Banking, Landmark National Bank, Manhattan; Blake Yakel, Vice President/Commercial Lender, Equity Bank, Wichita; Aaron Zadina, Assistant Vice President, Centera Bank, Greensburg. After an overview of the program by KBA’s President and CEO Doug Wareham, the class got to know each other during an ice-breaker exercise where many laughs and personal stories were shared. Next a complete summary of the history, structure and governance of the KBA was outlined followed by staff spotlights allowing senior management to share their roles and areas of expertise and how each department at the KBA can assist them and their banks. The focus then shifted to state advocacy with a session on the legislative process led by KBA SVP- Government Relations Alex Orel. Day Two of session one 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 past KBA EVP Jim Maag; former KBA Chairman Ron Johnson (President & CEO of Community National Bank in Seneca); and former KBA Chairman Leonard Wolfe (Chairman, President and CEO of United Bank & Trust in Marysville). 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. After the Statehouse visit, the group trekked to the Office of the State Bank Commissioner where they heard firsthand from Commissioner Herndon about the structure and purpose of the OSBC. Thank you to the sponsors of the BLOK program! Bankers’ Bank of Kansas CalTech Central States Capital Markets INTRUST Bank, N.A. KBA Insurance, Inc. Professional Bank Consultants, LLC Promontory Network