Romero Rainey, Merski Once Again Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List, Demonstrating ICBA’s Advocacy Prowess

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 11, 2025) — Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations Paul Merski are featured in The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List of association executives. Romero Rainey and Merski’s eighth consecutive appearance reaffirms ICBA’s role as a leading voice for community banks and the customers and communities they serve.

“At ICBA we remain focused on advancing policies that empower community banks and support local economies,” said Romero Rainey. “Representing community banks is both a privilege and a responsibility we share as a team. This recognition is a testament to the passion and engagement of our members whose voices we elevate as we work to shape policies that create communities of prosperity across this country.”

A third-generation community banker from Taos, N.M., Romero Rainey has been a lifelong advocate for community banking. As the former chairman and CEO of Centinel Bank of Taos, she understands the unique value community banks provide as relationship lenders and trusted advisors. Romero Rainey has held various ICBA volunteer leadership positions, including ICBA chairman in 2016, and has served as ICBA’s top lobbyist since assuming her current role in May 2018.

Merski, who has also been named to the top lobbyist list multiple times, brings more than three decades of experience in legislative and economic policy development to his work, including 25 years at ICBA where he serves as congressional relations team leader. He previously served as chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee and in the U.S. Senate as senior tax and banking policy adviser to Sen. Connie Mack, among other notable roles.

“Advocating for community banks is an honor,” Merski said. “I’m proud to work alongside Rebeca and our dedicated ICBA team to protect the franchise value of community banks by ensuring policymakers understand and support the vital role community banks play in our nation’s economy.”

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.