Pub. 7 2019 Issue 2

5 The Community Banker MIB Press Release ANDREW WEST OF POLSON ASSUMES THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT THE MONTANA INDEPENDENT BANKERS ASSOCATION IS PLEASED TO INTRODUCE ITS NEW OFFICERS T he Montana Independent Bankers Association (MIB) recently held its annual state convention in Butte. The widely attended convention, which was conducted July 25th through 28th, brings together leaders, representatives, and partners in Montana’s community banking industry. This year’s convention featured excel- lent presentations related to serving as a bank director, reinventing a bank’s brand, fintechs, and balance sheet review. Featured speakers included Rebeca Romero Rainey, CEO and President of the Independent Community Bankers of America, Mike Patterson, CEO of the Evel Knievel Museum, Bill Whitesitt, support- ing the Commission of the USS Montana, and Jim Mathis, the bank reinvention pro. During the convention, the MIB recognized Tom Christnacht of First Security Bank of Deer Lodge for his two years of service as MIB’s president. In addition, the Association was pleased to award Jessica Schatzka with the Bank of Belt, the MIB’s young banker of the year award for 2019. The membership of the MIB also elected its officers for the 2019- 2021 time period. Andrew West of Polson was elected to serve as President of the organization. Andrew works for Eagle Bank of Polson and recently completed a two-year term as Treasurer. Andrew looks forward to leading the association, which has represented Montana’s indepen- dent, state-chartered banks since 1967. Andrew succeeds Tom Christnacht of Deer Lodges as president. Tom works at the First Security Bank of Deer Lodge. Tom finished a very successful term as MIB’s president and represented Montana’s community banking industry for many years on the Board. Tom will continue to serve the industry by serving on the MIB Board as its immediate past president. Adam McQuiston of Missoula was elected to serve as the MIB vice president. Adam works at the First Montana Bank. Tim Schreiber of Florence was elected as MIB’s Treasurer. Tim works at Farmers State Bank. And, finally, Loren Brown of First Security Bank of Helena was elected as the association’s secretary. In addition to electing new officers to carry out the MIB’s contin- ued mission of promoting Montana’s community banking industry at the Butte convention, MIB’s membership also elected a new board member. The newly serving board member is Clinton Gerst from the Bank of Bozeman. The first duty of MIB’s new officers will be to attend the associa- tion’s final board meeting of the year, to be held in Bozeman. They will also attend the ICBA national convention to be held in Orlando, Florida, in March of 2020. Said West on his appointment as MIB President, “It has been a plea- sure to serve these past few years as an officer and board member of the MIB … I am fortunate to be in a position now to lead this 52-year- old organization, which has successfully worked to provide Montan- ans with high quality, customer-focused banking services since 1967.” West said that, “Despite the consolidation that has gone on within the industry over the last year several years, our industry is in excellent shape and continues to provide high-value services to Montana’s local communities … I am very much looking forward to the coming two years while serving as President of MIB. I love the work I do; and I am ready to get to work on behalf of Montana’s state-chartered commu- nity banks.” The MIB is the only organization dedicated to serving and promot- ing Montana’s community banks, their partners, and their customers. MIB’s 2020 annual state convention and trade show will be held July 23rd through 25th, 2020, in Billings, Montana.