the rhythms of small-town life that shaped Scherder’s upbringing. An Unexpected Path to Banking Like many who grow up in close-knit communities, Scherder once thought his future lay elsewhere. After graduating from Bowling Green High School, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. At the time, though, his plan was to follow in his family’s footsteps. “My entire life, I wanted to go to Mizzou and become a tax accountant like my mother,” Scherder explained. “My grandfather owned his own practice in Bowling Green, and a lot of my family went through the Mizzou School of Accountancy.” When he wasn’t admitted into the accounting program, however, his path shifted — unexpectedly, but ultimately for the better. While in college, Scherder had taken a part-time job as a teller at Landmark Bank. What started as a practical way to earn extra income quickly grew into something more meaningful. “Looking back, I don’t know if I would have been a very good tax accountant,” he said with a laugh. “I really enjoyed being on the front line of the bank and talking to people.” Although banking became his long-term direction, Scherder’s accounting background still proved valuable. After college, he spent three and a half years as an auditor with Williams-Keepers LLC, a regional public accounting firm in Columbia, before returning to Landmark Bank in an internal audit role. Not long after, an opportunity emerged at Community State Bank of Missouri — just as he and Olivia were preparing for marriage and thinking seriously about the future they wanted to build. “At that stage of my life, I didn’t know if I wanted to be back in small-town Missouri,” Scherder admitted. “But now, raising a family here, I wouldn’t want it any other way.” More than 10 years later, he remains confident it was the right decision. Wearing Many Hats In his role as vice president, Scherder embodies the versatility required in community banking. He spends much of his time in lending, working with customers on home, agricultural and commercial loans, while also leading the bank’s Asset Liability Committee (ALCO), overseeing balance sheet management and managing the institution’s securities portfolio. “We’re a small community bank, so I wear several hats,” he said. “Every day is different. You really don’t know what your day is going to look like, and I enjoy that.” That variety is one of the aspects he values most, allowing him to combine analytical expertise with the relationship-focused side of banking. It’s also helped him grow into a leadership role while staying closely connected to both customers and colleagues. For Scherder, community involvement is simply part of being a community banker. He serves on the Bowling Green R-1 School District Education Foundation and is treasurer of the local Chamber of Commerce. He and his family are also active in their church, and Community State Bank regularly supports many local charitable organizations and foundations. Still, some of his most meaningful community involvement happens in a more personal setting — on the softball field and on the basketball court. A lifelong sports fan and devoted Mizzou Tigers supporter, Scherder spends his free time coaching youth softball and basketball, currently leading both a 10U and 8U softball team for his daughters. “I was fortunate that my parents were involved when I was growing up,” he said. “I think it’s important to be involved in stuff like that.” Though coaching leaves less time for hobbies like golf, he considers the trade-off well worth it. 12 | The Show-Me Banker Magazine
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