everyone in that room saw the value of bringing bankers together to reconnect, engage and recognize the value and impact our community banks bring to the state. The speakers that attended were phenomenal. We can’t thank each of them enough for taking time out of their schedule to be at our Convention. A few notable mentions include: • Mike Burke, vice chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, delivered the main speech at the Gala. • Angie Murdo, principal at Pinion, provided a Director’s Training. • Jeffrey Michael, director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, gave a 2025 Mid-Year Economic Outlook for Montana and the U.S. • Tom Kennan, president of Keenan & Partners, discussed whole bank valuation in the current market environment. • Robert Finch, managing director at Stifel, gave an overview of the operating environment, ecosystem and forward-looking appointees for community banks. • Melanie Hall, commissioner of the Division of Banking and Financial Institutions for Montana, presented the latest developments in her office and provided a recap of the legislative session. Finally, I want to provide a little more background and share my Montana story. At the end of January/early February of 2014, I drove out to Montana from the East Coast, and of course, arrived in Bozeman with a snowstorm. After getting situated, I did what any new arrival would do, I headed to Bridger Bowl and skied on real snow after years of learning how to ski (survive) on ice. It was an incredible experience, and I remember leaving the ski hill knowing that this was going to be home. That would kick off the ongoing Montana adventure I’ve been on for the last 11 years, and lead to active senior roles in political campaigns, as well as work in government affairs and public relations. Most recently, I served as the campaign manager for the successful election of Tim Sheehy to the U.S. Senate in 2024, in what was the most highly contested U.S. Senate race in the nation that election cycle — and I think we’re all glad to be done with those political ads! I was also honored to manage U.S. Senator Steve Daines’s successful re-election campaign in 2020. I reside in Bozeman with my wife and three kids, a recently turned one-year-old son, a three-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. Needless to say, we’re in the trenches, but we’re all having a blast! And, now, I look forward to this new journey serving as the executive director of MIB. Our Mission is to Help You Succeed Partner with us for: • Loan participation purchases and sales* • Bank stock financing • Bank executive and employee financing Craig McCandless SVP/Correspondent Banking Business Development Officer Based out of Billings, Mont. Covers: Montana, Wyoming and Idaho 406.850.3790 *We do not reparticipate loans. 8 Community Banker
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