Pub. 9 2020 Issue 4

6 With incoming Chairman Jonathon Johnson How did you become a banker? Did you always aspire to be part of the financial industry? Although I always had a positive view of bankers due to their community involvement where I grew up in Cherryvale, Kansas, banking was not on my career radar. After college graduation I served in the military for several years, then began to search for a job. The father of a good friend of mine, Gary Cotterill, was a local banker and gave me an opportunity to learn the industry. I started my banking career at the First State Bank of Edna in Cherryvale, working for Gary Cotterill, who has been a wonderful friend and mentor. To me the banking industry is one of the primary catalysts for the communities we serve, and it is a wonderful industry to be a part of. Describe your education background. What did you study? I have a B.S. from Pittsburg State University, and a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary —probably not the typical education for a banker. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of rounding out my education in several banking organizations. Furthermore, industry specific courses like the KBA’s Ag Lending School and the Graduate School of Banking served to fill the gaps, along with on-the-job experience. Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career, and how? Well, first my dad, Dr. Marvin Johnson, who’s now passed away. Dad was a school administrator and I learned the importance of integrity fromhim. He always toldme to do a few things well, not a lot of things. Focus, vision, and compassion were also qualities that he modeled for me. I had a college professor, Dr. Brian Sperry. He was the proverbial John Wayne kind of guy, with a firm handshake, who looked people in the eye. Mr. Sperry made an impression on me to develop integrity, a good work ethic and compassion for others. He was the kind of man I want to model. Gary Cotterill was another gentleman I learned a lot from in regards to the banking industry and life. I worked for him twice in my career. He was a wonderful mentor. The most important role model for my life is my Savior, Jesus Christ, who provides hope and direction for each and every day. From a leadership standpoint, He is the perfect example of a leader with passion, compassion, and clarity. What is the most rewarding part of your career? Dealing with people, whether it’s staff, customers, or community. I enjoy people. People are the only thing of eternal significance we touch daily. Howhas retail banking changed in the last five years? We’ve evolved into a more digital environment. Digital platforms really are effective for providing services. As a result, there are many people, especially young people, who never set foot in a branch. That makes it challenging to create a relationship, but people still want that, too. Maybe the best thing we can give our customers is financial guidance and to find a balance between offering digital services while developing trust-based relationships. What do you thinkwill be some of the dominant trends within the financial industry in the next 5-10 years? The trend toward digital banking is going to continue. The recent COVID event has Chairman’s Message