Thanks to Our BLOK Sponsors! Premier Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and KBA Insurance Inc. Platinum FHLBank Topeka Silver INTRUST Bank, N.A. Bronze Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Professional Bank Consultants LLC, and Schools of Banking Bank, Wellington, and KBA Chairman 2015-16), Ron Johnson (Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation Ambassador and KBA Chairman 2017-18), and Earl McVicker (Chairman & CEO of Central Financial Corporation, Manhattan, and KBA Chairman 2000-01). These gentlemen shared insights on leadership in their banks and communities, what led them to serve on the KBA Board of Directors, and the significance of being engaged with the KBA. The panelists described their leadership styles and important events during their term as KBA Chairman. They encouraged the class to get — and stay — involved in the KBA and even at the American Bankers Association level. The BLOK Class was then able to gain knowledge from an interactive Workforce Development Panel discussion featuring Rick Sems (CEO of Equity Bank, Wichita) and 2018 BLOK Graduate Steven Suellentrop (President & CEO, Legacy Bank, Wichita). The distinguished panelists discussed their strategies for identifying new bank talent and retaining great employees. Panelists revealed ways that they are trying to connect with younger generations of employees with intentional policies that appeal to their values. The class was also able to pick their brains on issues such as managing remote workers and the use of artificial intelligence. The session concluded with a roundtable discussion regarding workforce development. Class members shared their own experiences and ideas for attracting/retaining talent, especially in rural communities. The BLOK Class reconvened at their fourth and final session in Washington, D.C., in September, where they were joined by the KBA Federal Affairs Committee and KBA board of directors for a march on Capitol Hill. 2024 BLOK Class Members Stephen Austin, Bank7, Montezuma Ali Aylward, Bank of Commerce, Chanute Shannon Beal, Citizens Bank of Kansas, El Dorado Brian Berkley, Solutions North Bank, Stockton Michael Carlson, Denison State Bank, Holton Kerry Clark, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka Alison Clutter, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita Loren Erway, Farmers Bank & Trust, Atwood Jenny Figge, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka Ryan Fleck, Legacy Bank, Wichita Mark Galloway, Bank of Tescott, Salina Kate Haverkamp, First Heritage Bank, Centralia Jenell B. Hulse, Bank of the Plains, Salina Jessica Kerr, Golden Belt Bank, Hays Cher McLachlan, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Taylor Sharp, TriCentury Bank, De Soto Billy Skrobacz Jr., Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Topeka Andy Stegman, GNBank, N.A., Offerle Taylor Stos, First State Bank & Trust, Tonganoxie Lance Tilton, Astra Bank, Chapman George von Leonrod, First National Bank, Dighton Andy Watkins, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita Gant Welborn, FHLBank Topeka, Topeka Candace Wolke, Vintage Bank Kansas, Conway Springs The Workforce Development Panel featured Kansas bankers Steven Suellentrop and Rick Sems. These bankers offered some of their strategies for recruiting and retaining the best talent. They all agreed that encouraging high school and college students to consider a career in banking is paramount to the pipeline of future Kansas bankers. Kerry Clark, Ryan Fleck and Andy Watkins strategized to complete a task without using verbal communication. Candace Walker (left) learned the importance of trusting teammates, participating in an exercise that challenged class members to briefly let go of control. 29
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