2025 BLOK Session II Class Convenes in Kansas City The 2025 BLOK class gathered in Kansas City from April 16-18 to continue their leadership training by kicking things off at Commerce Bank. The session began with dynamic executive-level training led by facilitator Ted Garnett of Performance Resources Consulting, who equipped participants with practical tools to lead their institutions and communities in a half-day session titled Leadership Accountability. During his presentation, Mr. Garnett took the class through several hands-on exercises that helped the group learn effective leadership strategies and that you need to be accountable to your team and yourself. Day two started with a full slate of speakers at the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, starting with a brief history of the Federal Reserve presented by Executive Writer and Historian Tim Todd. Mr. Todd talked about the bank’s origins, what the banking system looked like before its founding and how it has transformed over the years. Lee Smith, Senior Vice President & Economist, led the class through an Economic Outlook focused on Kansas and the 10th Federal Reserve District. The morning concluded with Patrick Balint, Assistant Vice President, Supervision and Risk Management Division, providing an interactive and detailed review of Kansas banking conditions and trends. Following lunch and a group photo, the class enjoyed a tour of the Fed, including a special tour of the Executive floor. The class reconvened to listen to Dr. Bruce Morgan, Professional Bank Consultants, give a presentation entitled What’s the Future for Community Banks? Next, the class had a great discussion with Abby Wendel, President and CEO of Landmark National Bank, and Scott Coup, President at Security Bank of Kansas City who spoke about leadership and banking in Kansas. They gave the class great insight into pivotal moments in their career to help guide them to where they are today, identifying key components when hiring great leaders and how to best position their bank for the future. To wrap up Session II, they met at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation with Regional Director Jessica Kaemingk and Deputy Regional Director John Jilovec for a discussion on the FDIC’s role in protecting depositors and current banking conditions. They took questions on past bank failures and the possibility of increasing FDIC insurance coverage. The class also heard from Regional Economist Nathan Hinton and Senior Financial Analyst Shawn Schreier from the FDIC’s Division of Insurance and Research. These gentlemen presented current trends in the Kansas and Midwest economies, including housing supply and demand. They also talked about the Kansas ag economy and how tariffs could potentially affect the market. The session closed with an interactive hot-topic discussion that revolved around artificial intelligence. Class members shared if and how their banks are incorporating AI and how it can help them streamline processes. For Session III, the class will head to Wichita in July to continue training before going to Washington, D.C., with KBA’s Board of Directors and Federal Affairs Committee in September. Ted Garnett of Performance Resources Consulting welcomes the class, equipping participants with practical tools to lead their institutions and communities. Trenton Moore, Susan Rash, Brandi Zimmer and Paige Meader team up to play “Win the Most.” Beth Masterson and Jared Engelbert participate in a leadership exercise focused on listening and relationship building. 6
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