Pub. 3 2015 Issue 4

14 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org Ron Rosenberg, President and CEO of Val- ley Bank of Kalispell, retired last fall from the MIB Board of Directors after serving from 2007-2014. We thoroughly appre- ciated Ron’s insight, good humor, and ardent support, and we wish to offer him special thanks and special recognition for his seven years of service as a director. MIB recently interviewed him about his time as a director of MIB and a long-term commu- nity banker in Northwestern Montana. What led you to decide to join the MIB board of directors in 2007? I married Karen Jo King on August 11, 1973, and that event began the journey towards the inevitable. I would ultimately align myself and my value sys- tem with both the ICBA and the MIB. These two organizations were talked about and pro- moted at every cocktail event I attended with my father-in-law, Jack King, as well as both of Kar- en’s brothers, John and A.J. (this family does enjoy a refreshment now and then). The King family is unwavering in their support of these two trade associations and believe their personal values are truly represented through this alignment. It became clear to me early in my marriage that I either subscribe to the beliefs of my in-laws or run the risk of being kicked to the curb. I’m not an extremely bright individual, however that was a smart decision on my part. [Laughs] Not only did my marriage survive, but after 30- plus years in banking I honestly believe ICBA and MIB are a direct extension of my professional values. To answer the question, I became involved with the board of MIB when Allan Aronson, an officer at Valley Bank of Kalispell, retired in 2007 after serving as an MIB board member and pres- ident. I was asked to complete his commitment to the board. What was a memorable part of being on the MIB board of directors? The development of rela- tionships, not only with fellow bankers of similar sized insti - tutions and challenges, but also with our elected officials in Helena and Washington that have significant impact on our community-owned banks. What’s one thing you are proud of having accomplished as a Montana community banker? After weathering the past seven years and the economic crisis here in Northwest Mon- tana I’m proud of the number of our customers that we’ve been able to assist. As a community bank, we were able to stay the course and problem solve with the majority of our customer base to provide solutions to the economic problems that presented extreme challenges. As a true independent com- munity bank, our board made decisions based on character and long-term relationships that provided opportunities to work through problems with customers. These opportunities sometimes resulted in short- term losses for our bank but provided long-term benefits for our community. Where do you see as the future of community banking in Montana heading, both positive and negative? Consolidation is inevitable, but there will always be a place for independent community banks. Just not as many as there used to be. What advice would you like to share with other community bankers in Montana? MIB has a lot to offer, I would recommend checking them out. If you as a banker identify with the core principals of being an independent community bank you should explore this organi- zation. Our industry is facing is - sues that need to be addressed, and, as it has been said, there’s strength in numbers. AN INTERVIEWWITH RETIRING MIB DIRECTOR RON ROSENBERG