With the 2024 election fast approaching, ICBA welcomes a 2024/25 board of directors that wants to put community banking in the spotlight for all new members of Congress to see. Education is key for ICBA advocacy efforts, and these board members made it their goal to serve as advocates and teach Congress about community banks’ differentiators and nationwide impact.
“This year’s leadership team is a powerhouse, boasting diverse backgrounds and extensive experience,” says ICBA president and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “ICBA is fortunate to call on their counsel as we champion the ideals that make community banks truly special and preserve our rich legacy, which is rooted in service to customers and local communities.”
Read on to find out what the executive committee and the rest of the board look forward to in their 2024/25 term.
Q: To start off, what goals do you have for your term?
Driven by passion
Here’s what the board of directors told us motivates them to be the best community bankers they can be.
Solving customers’ problems and witnessing their successes
Seeing the “firsts” that many customers get to experience with the help of a community banker
Being a multigenerational banker and continuing the family business
The feeling of joy and accomplishment after helping someone
Acting as a safe haven for customers
Working alongside staff to make a difference in and improve the community
Servant leadership
Supporting small local businesses and nonprofits
Breeding a positive workplace environment and watching employees grow in their roles
A love of helping people
Securing the futures of customers and the community as a whole
Lucas White: I want to encourage more community bankers to get involved with the advocacy side of ICBA. The more community bankers we have telling their personal stories in Washington, D.C., the stronger our message will be. I also want to show younger community bankers that they can have leadership roles in ICBA and their state associations.
Jack E. Hopkins: I hope that I can inspire more bankers to get involved with ICBA as I travel the country to different events. I hope to be able to let bankers know the three pillars of ICBA—advocacy, education and innovation—and educate them on the value of the organization.
Alice P. Frazier: [I aim] to listen intently to the challenges of my fellow community bankers and to be their advocate whenever possible, encourage more community banks to explore the opportunities for innovation through the ICBA ThinkTECH program, and inspire the rising-star community bankers toward a lifelong career in banking.
James H. Sills III: First, I would like to double down on the need for more advocacy from our members related to the increased regulatory burden. I am concerned that the continued regulatory overreach will drive more community banks and senior executive leaders to leave the industry. Second, we have to continue to highlight the great work ICBA is doing with the new Center for Innovation in Atlanta.
Quentin Leighty: My goal is to help the team where and when I can and provide leadership and insights that are helpful to ICBA. We have an amazing team at ICBA, and I plan to do my part to keep the strong momentum going.
Derek B. Williams: I will continue to support Rebeca and the ICBA team as we work for community banking. We need to take advantage of some recent momentum in our efforts to bring attention to the mission creep and lack of oversight of credit unions, as well as keep pushing for tiered regulations and relief on rules 1071 and 1033.
Brad M. Bolton: [My goal is] to remain accessible and accountable to our members, always being responsive to their needs as a member-driven organization and doing my part to differentiate the reason we exist with our one mission-focused voice.
Robert M. Fisher: I really have no goals other than to represent our industry and do the most good for community banking as a whole. I will continue to support those going through the chairs by sharing my knowledge.
What makes a great community banker?
These board members believe there are certain traits that help a community banker rise above the rest and resonate with their customers.
“I was taught at a young age to treat others as I want to be treated, and I learned later from a great speaker that we should treat others better than we want to be treated.”—Verlin “Gus” J. Barker, ICBA Rural America and Agriculture Committee chairman, and president and CEO of First Community Bank in Newell, Iowa
“Being able to listen to and understand a client’s needs and communicate effective solutions.”—John V. Evans III, ICBA at-large director and Federal Delegate Board representative, and CEO of D.L. Evans Bank in Burley, Idaho
“I’ve always strived to be enthusiastic in all my dealings with my customers and staff and, most of all, honest and forthright with everyone!”—Douglas E. Parrott, ICBA PAC chairman, and CEO and chairman of State Bank of Toulon in Toulon, Ill.
“A love of people and the desire to connect. Customers want to bank with someone they know, trust and like. Community bankers think of customers as friends!”—Michael J. Burke, Jr., ICBA Bank Innovation & Solutions Committee chair, and president of ChoiceOne Bank in Lapeer, Mich.
“Passion, honesty, good listening, vision and good relationships with community, customers and employees.”—Brenda K. Foster, ICBA at-large director, Federal Delegate Board representative, and president and CEO of First Western Bank & Trust in Minot, N.D.
“High emotional intelligence.”—Jill Sung, ICBA at-large director, and president and CEO of Abacus Federal Savings Bank in New York City
“Commitment. There is a commitment to the communities they serve, as well as a commitment to do the right thing.”—Anita K. Drentlaw, ICBA Bank Education Committee chairman, and CEO, president and chief financial officer of New Market Bank in Elko New Market, Minn.
“The best community bankers are problem solvers who tailor products and services to fit a unique situation. Being a good listener is important in being able to fully understand a client’s needs and then—armed with the knowledge of the products and services available—put together a tailor-made solution.”—Noah Wilcox, ICBA past chairman, and president, CEO and chairman of Minnesota Lakes Bank, Grand Rapids State Bank and holding company, Wilcox Bancshares Inc. in Grand Rapids, Minn.
Q: 2024 is an election year. What hopes and goals do you have for incoming members of Congress in terms of advocacy and legislation?
White: I hope Washington can put aside partisanship and create reasonable legislation. Issues from 1071 to overdrafts to credit unions have commonsense solutions that would benefit our customers; we just need reasonable people on both sides of the aisle to negotiate.
Hopkins: It will be a difficult year to get legislation passed. However, there are items that should be bipartisan. I hope we can continue the momentum on getting the ACRE Act passed and that we can get more action on the credit union industry.
Frazier: My hope is that those elected in this cycle come into their roles with a balanced, open mindset that affords us the opportunity to successfully advocate on behalf of community banking.
Sills: I hope the new Congress can find some opportunities to work together. We need new and existing members to understand that the regulatory burden is real, and we need more tiered regulations for community banks to survive and prosper.
Leighty: My hope is that the incoming members of Congress are open to learning about community banking. … They need to know how different our model is from the big banks and that we need less regulatory burden—not more. My hope is they will finally take a look at the mission creep of the credit union industry as well.
Williams: ICBA and community banks have a great reputation in Congress, and we need to be working together to pass legislation and regulatory relief that allow us to better serve and help grow our communities across the country.
Bolton: I hope that we can make real progress in obtaining an exemption from Section 1071, protect our ability to offer overdraft protection programs for our customers, pass the SAFE Banking Act and get the ILC [industrial loan company] bill across the finish line. Most importantly, I hope we can use election season as a way to highlight the unequal, uneven playing field that exists with the tax avoidance, taxpayer subsidized credit union industry and find ways to keep them from buying our community banks!
Fisher: Education is key with all members of Congress. We need to educate them on our issues and why our issues ultimately matter to their voting constituents. This is best conveyed with stories of how legislation affects customers—both the intended and unintended consequences.
The evolution of a community banker
These members of ICBA’s board of directors have grown immensely since they first became bankers. They reflect on how far they’ve come—and what they want new leadership bankers to know.
“I have become more confident both in my knowledge and in my voice. When I started, I felt like I was expected to know way more than I actually did. … I kept my opinions to myself, even if I felt like they would add value. … These days, I probably talk too much! To those starting out: Speak up. Some of the best ideas come from people with less experience and a fresh perspective. And, if you ever feel like you know it all, you’re wrong—I still learn something new every day.”—Sarah Getzlaff, ICBA Bank Operations Committee chairman, and CEO of Security First Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck, N.D.
“I’ve been at my bank for 42 years, so change is very hard for me. That being said, if you aren’t willing to or cannot evolve in your leadership role, then you are detrimental to moving your bank forward. Good leaders listen, and bosses direct. Be a good leader!”—Douglas E. Parrott, ICBA PAC chairman, and CEO and chairman of State Bank of Toulon in Toulon, Ill.
“I’m more patient than I was early in my career. When we’re young, we want to do things quickly and get immediate rewards for our efforts. Time changes our expectations, and it’s more important to slow down and obtain the positive results you’re looking for.”—Verlin “Gus” J. Barker, ICBA Rural America and Agriculture Committee chairman, and president and CEO of First Community Bank in Newell, Iowa
“There was a time when my sole focus was on our bank and our success, but my focus has expanded to include the overall banking industry and how crucial it is to not only be involved locally, but also on the state and national level. … I always encourage and expect our emerging leaders to look beyond their job and to be involved locally and to continue learning.”—Gay G. Dempsey, ICBA at-large director, and CEO of Bank of Lincoln County in Fayetteville, Tenn.
“In the beginning, I thought it was about deposits and loans. Now, I realize the real reward is the people behind the deposits and loans and the difference we can make in their lives. I have also learned that, as a leader, it’s not about asking what your team can do for you, but rather asking what you can do for your team. The best leader is a servant leader where you walk alongside others, not in front of them.”—Peter Nelson, ICBA Policy Development Committee chairman, and president of Glenwood State Bank in Glenwood, Minn.
“I have learned there is a lot of ‘gray’ in the job. As a trained accountant prior to coming to the bank, I preferred my job to be more black‑and-white. I had to learn and adjust my thinking to understand that really isn’t the case in community banking. Our ability to be creative when structuring a deal to help a small business or lead a team is what sets us apart as a community bank. … It is important [for bankers] to use all the lessons learned along the way, including the mistakes made, which will make you better as a leader. … Those instances usually teach you more than when you make the ‘perfect’ decision.”—Anita K. Drentlaw, ICBA Bank Education Committee chairman, and CEO, president and chief financial officer of New Market Bank in Elko New Market, Minn.
Q: What does your position on the ICBA board mean to you?
White: Being from rural Indiana and spending my life working at the bank, I never thought I would have an opportunity like this. It is the privilege of a lifetime to be chairman of ICBA.
Hopkins: I feel blessed to be able to give back to an organization that has been very good to me, my family and my bank. [ICBA has] been a very strong advocate for the industry I love.
Frazier: I have long respected and been inspired by the dedicated community bankers who have served as the chairs of ICBA. I hope to provide the same inspiration and passion for our industry.
Sills: This is my second year serving as the ICBA secretary. It continues to be a tremendous opportunity to be an advocate for community banking and the communities that we serve.
Leighty: [Serving as treasurer] is very humbling and exciting. I love community banking, so to get the opportunity to serve the industry at a higher capacity is an honor. I take the new role seriously and look forward to learning more about and contributing to the success of ICBA and our industry.
Williams: Serving as immediate past chairman allows me to use the experiences and relationships I garnered over the past year as chairman to help our ICBA leadership be more effective and encouraged.
Bolton: Serving this industry through ICBA remains my highest professional honor, and I am thankful for the opportunity to join exceptional individuals on the board.
Fisher: As a longer-term member of the board, I bring historical knowledge to the group. My responsibility of representing the community banking industry has always been taken very seriously. Ultimately, I look at what is best for all our community banks.
Looking forward
These board members are excited about what’s to come this year at their community banks.
“This year, we are celebrating our 120th anniversary. We are having the celebration in the small town—population 242—where our bank was founded.”—John V. Evans III, ICBA at-large director and Federal Delegate Board representative, and CEO of D.L. Evans Bank in Burley, Idaho
“We’re getting ready to roll out a homegrown loan system for smaller-sized credits. We think it will help customers with smaller loan requests think of us first, rather than an unknown online lender.”—Michael J. Burke, Jr., ICBA Bank Innovation & Solutions Committee chair, and president of ChoiceOne Bank in Lapeer, Mich.
“We started the process of creating a strategic marketing guide with a local firm. We’ve always winged our marketing efforts, so I’m excited to gain focus.”—Sarah Getzlaff, ICBA Bank Operations Committee chairman, and CEO of Security First Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck, N.D.
“First Western Bank & Trust will celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2024. We’ll have a variety of special events throughout the year.”—Brenda K. Foster, ICBA at-large director and Federal Delegate Board representative, and president and CEO of First Western Bank & Trust in Minot, N.D.
“This year is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar. The Dragon is considered the most powerful—and the only mythical—creature in the Chinese zodiac. It’s also our bank’s 40th anniversary, so I’m looking forward to a year of amazing strength, intelligence, spirit and good fortune.”—Jill Sung, ICBA at-large director, and president and CEO of Abacus Federal Savings Bank in New York City
“We are planning an entire month to highlight our small businesses and engage our community. We will have ‘Cash Mobs,’ where the bank gives each employee cash to spend at specific businesses, providing an immediate economic impact. ... We’ll also have daily contests that highlight a local small business and incorporate our bank mascot, Iggy the Piggy.”—Gay G. Dempsey, ICBA at-large director, and CEO of Bank of Lincoln County in Fayetteville, Tenn.
“We recently implemented a fraud team, led by one full-time employee dedicated to fighting fraud. Having a centralized place for fraud has helped us to be more intentional about learning the various fraudulent techniques, educating our team members and customers, detecting it early and acting more swiftly.”—Peter Nelson, ICBA Policy Development Committee chairman, and president of Glenwood State Bank in Glenwood, Minn.
“We’re celebrating 110 years of continuous service this June. I am proud, as a fourth-generation banker, of that milestone.”—Noah Wilcox, ICBA past chairman, and president, CEO and chairman of Minnesota Lake Bank, Grand Rapids State Bank and its holding company, Wilcox Bancshares Inc., in Grand Rapids, Minn.
