24 BRIEFLY IN KANSAS BANKING Bankers Are Reappointed to the Kansas Housing and Kansas Development Finance Authority KDFA president Rebecca Floyd and KHRC Executive Director Ryan Vincent announced that Suchitra Padmanabhan and Chris Donnelly were reappointed to serve another term on the Kansas Development Finance Authority (KDFA) and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) board of directors. In addition, two newmembers were appointed by Governor Laura Kelly and confirmed by the Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee last year. They are Wichita nonprofit director Moniqueka Holloway and Topeka attorney Jonathan Small. Suchitra Padmanabhan serves as chair of the KDFA and KHRC boards and was reappointed this year, becoming the first board member in the group’s history to serve three terms. A certified financial analyst, she currently works for BC Capital, where she created an asset management platform for fixed income investments and provides advisory services to private equity funds. Previously, she served with Security Benefit Group, Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers. She holds degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago. Chris Donnelly, a banking executive from Tonganoxie, was reappointed for a four-year term. Recently retired as president and CEO of the Bank of the Prairie in Olathe, he has held executive leadership roles with Country Club Bank of Kansas City, Mo., First State Bank and Trust of Tonganoxie, First Security Bank of Overbrook, and Home State Bank of Hobart, OK. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. Hays banking expert, Alan Deines, was appointed to the board in 2020 and continues his service. Neal Kaiser New Ag Lender at The Citizens State Bank Neal Kaiser has joined The Citizens State Bank as an ag lender. Working at its Goessel branch, Kaiser is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy. He grew up in Lehigh but has Goessel ties as both of his mother’s parents were born near there. “I’ve heard very good things about The Citizen State Bank through friends and family,” he said. “It feels like the right move to become a part of that experience for myself and also to help others with their agriculture needs.” Kaiser will handle a variety of ag lending needs for area customers, including operating lines of credit, input lines and equipment. “Neal’s experience in the field of agriculture will make him an important part of our lending team,” said Kirby Smith, market president in Goessel. “He understands the unique skills it takes to operate an agri-business.” In addition to his banking role, Kaiser helps manage a 2,000acre farming operation that includes crops, hay and pasture. Bankers from Bank of Labor in KC Recognized for Sponsorship During a National Association of Asian American ProfessionalsKansas City (NAAAPKC) Holiday Soiree on Dec. 2, 2021, Bank of Labor bankers Pang Lo, Mai Lee, Mary Buche (SVP) and Piia Perales were honored to be recognized for Bank of Labor’s sponsorship of NAAAP-KC. Buche found this group to provide ERG support for some minority employees but found a lack of representation in senior and board positions of Asian American females and males in the banking industry. She has seen increases in the east and west coast, but the Midwest is behind in representation. The NAAAP-KC is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that promotes career advancement opportunities and professional leadership development of Asian American professionals in all fields. The Kansas City Chapter hosts various activities (Happy Hours, networking dinners, cultural events, workshops, etc.) throughout the year to allow members to engage with NAAAP-KC and accomplish everything they can to become part of their organization.
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