KBA Legal Department Says Goodbye to a Familiar Face and Welcomes a New One
Allison Carpenter, VP-Manager of KBA Legal Department, has decided to accept a new challenge in her career as a BSA/AML Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Her last day with the KBA was June 2, 2023. Allison began her career with the KBA in June 2011 as an extern through Washburn University School of Law and was hired full-time to develop the auditing service in the fall of 2012. While we are sad to say goodbye, we are excited for Allison as she starts this next chapter in her career!
Throughout her tenure, the audit service grew in numbers and reputation throughout Kansas. Over the past couple of years, Allison transitioned to becoming the KBA Legal Department Manager, where she assisted Kansas bankers with regulatory and legal questions and helped with the numerous publications the Legal Department oversees. Her strong work ethic and keen eye for detail were a tremendous asset to the KBA Legal Department. She will be greatly missed. Below is what Allison wanted to express to her colleagues and the Kansas bankers before she left.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all my KBA colleagues and the Kansas bankers who have been a part of my life during this chapter. I am forever grateful for the impact you all have had on my life, and it has been a wonderful experience serving Kansas bankers. Leaving was not an easy decision, but I am very excited that the KBA found an ideal replacement with Jamie. It has made my decision so much easier knowing that my colleagues and the Kansas bankers will have her to lean on.”
Introducing Jamie Shiek, the new VP — Manager of KBA Legal Department. Jamie completed her Juris Doctor degree in 2021 following nearly 20 years of commercial banking experience, which encompassed financing, acquisition, asset disposition, loan restructure, commercial underwriting, bank portfolio management, reporting and capital strategy.
After completing an undergraduate degree at Kansas State University, Jamie began her career in Denver, where she specialized in commercial real estate, business, and industrial lending. During her time in Colorado, she also managed reporting and research for bank asset and capital decisions, and she managed resolution of troubled loans through restructuring, disposition and foreclosure.
Wanting to be closer to family, Jamie returned home to Kansas and continued working in banking as a market president and commercial lender in the Manhattan area. Her experience in the banking industry and work in the community prompted her to pursue a JD degree.
During law school, Jamie continued working as a 1031 tax deferred exchange analyst, consulted entrepreneurs through the Small Business Development Center, and was a research assistant for the Professor of the Business and Transactional Law Center of Washburn University School of Law.
KBA Staff Promotions
Jenny Figge has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Operation for KBA Insurance. She started with KBAI in March of 2020 and manages the overall operations of the agency. Jenny is a critical part of the future of our organization and has made many great improvements in her short time with KBAI.
LeAnn Mott has been promoted to Vice President — Education and Conferences. She began her career with KBA in April 2016 as an administrative assistant. LeAnn helps plan conferences and events for education as well as the trust and ag divisions. She also helps facilitate the division board meetings, membership drives, and strategic partnerships.
Adeel Syed has been promoted to Vice President — Staff Attorney. He started as a Legal Department intern in May 2013 and became a full-time staff attorney beginning in June 2015, providing member banks with legal assistance. He specializes in the areas of secured transactions, energy law, and bankruptcy procedures, with licenses to practice law in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado.
Kelly VanZwoll has been promoted to Vice President of Government Relations. She started her career at KBA as an intern in 2016 while attending Washburn Law School. She was hired as a staff attorney in 2018, and in 2021 she was given a government relations role. She works with state lawmakers and agencies to help either protect against negative or advance positive policies that will impact the Kansas banking industry.
