have much growing up, we never thought of ourselves as lacking anything because we had family, community and parents who cared deeply about doing the right thing. One lesson from my dad stayed with me my entire life. He always said, “When there’s work to do, you get to work.” At a very young age, whether I was sweeping floors at the co-op to help Dad, mowing lawns or working on our small farm, I learned early from my parents that success comes from showing up, working hard and doing all you can to take care of your customers and team to build lasting relationships. Those values have shaped everything I’ve done, both personally and professionally. How did your career in banking begin, and was becoming a banker always part of your plan? Banking wasn’t my original plan at all. I actually thought I would become an agronomist because agriculture was such a big part of my upbringing. Then, during my senior year of high school, I took accounting. My teacher saw something in me and encouraged me to pursue an accounting degree instead. I attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where I earned my accounting degree and met my wife, Karrie. After graduation, I accepted an entry-level position at a bank in Alva, Oklahoma. It was really just intended to give me some experience while Karrie finished her final year of college. The opportunity that changed everything came unexpectedly. I was helping my dad one day, and that just happened to be alongside Tom Fellers, who was at the time the president of Stockgrowers State Bank. During that conversation, Tom asked about my plans and encouraged me to send him my résumé. A few months later, he called and invited me to interview. I started at Stockgrowers State Bank in October 1995, working in operations and as an accountant, doing just about all things operational in the bank as well as the books for the holding company. Karrie still had one year of college remaining, so I commuted between Ashland and Alva (86 miles one way) before we eventually moved to Ashland. Looking back, I can truly see how God had a different plan for my life than the one I had mapped out for myself. Stockgrowers State Bank has deep roots in southwest Kansas. Can you share the bank’s history and its connection to the agricultural community? Stockgrowers State Bank has been serving southwest Kansas since 1885, making it one of the oldest community banks in the state. In 1899, the bank was purchased by J.W. Berryman and C.Q. Chandler. Then in 1907, J.W. Berryman purchased controlling interest, and the bank has remained connected to the Berryman family ever since. One of the things I’m most proud of is the continuity of our leadership. Since the Berryman family acquired the bank in 1899, there have been only six presidents of Stockgrowers State Bank, and I’m honored to be part of that legacy. Stockgrowers is unique in that, although it’s still owned primarily by the Berryman family, there has not been a family member involved in the bank’s day-to-day management since 1974. That level of trust is something I don’t take lightly. Today, members of the third and fourth generations of the Berryman family continue to serve on our board, providing oversight while allowing our team to manage the bank’s day-to-day operations. That partnership has been instrumental in preserving the bank’s community-focused mission for well over a century. Our roots are deeply tied to agriculture because agriculture is the backbone of southwest Kansas. While we serve many different businesses and families, nearly everything in our communities connects back to farming or ranching in some way. We understand those customers because we live and work alongside them every day. Another thing I’m especially proud of is our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Every member of our team has ownership in the bank, which creates a different mindset. We aren’t just employees; we are owners who are invested in serving our customers and strengthening our communities. You’ve spent much of your career serving both your bank and your community. How have those two roles influenced one another? Community banking and community service really go hand in hand. Early in my career, Tom Fellers encouraged everyone at the bank to become involved in the community. He believed community bankers should give back because stronger communities ultimately create stronger banks. That philosophy stayed with me. I was elected to the Ashland City Council in 1996 and served for 12 years before spending another 13 years as mayor. Those 25 years of public service gave me opportunities to work alongside so many dedicated people who simply wanted to make Ashland a better place. Serving as mayor also reinforced something I see every day in banking — leadership isn’t about one person. It’s about bringing people together, listening, solving problems and always looking 7
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