Pub. 8 2020 Issue 2

5 The Community Banker Member News I ndependent Community Banks of America has chosen and recog- nized Loren Brown as a rising community bank leader. As CEO of Ascent Bank, Loren is the key figure in the execution and growth plans for the organization. He has a deep background in banking leadership, financing and operations. Loren believes that community banks are an integral part of our communities and is committed to making Helena a wonderful place to live and work. Loren has called Helena home since elementary school days and has always been very active in the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to his current scouting leadership activities, Loren also serves on the boards of di- rectors for West Mont, St. Peter ’ s Health, Sleeping Giant Flying Club and the Montana Independent Bankers. J uly saw MIB’s longest-serving board member A.J. King step off the Board. A.J. provided nearly 20 years of tremendous service to the Association. He missed only two board meetings during that extend- ed time. A.J. became CEO of Three Rivers Bank earlier this year, and is dedicating all of his time and effort to this long-standing bank mem- ber of MIB. A.J.’s term on the MIB Board included serving two terms as Montana’s ICBA State Director, as well as serving on numerous ICBA committees. A.J. has been and remains a strong advocate for community banking, and his leadership in the MIB will be missed. RISING COMMUNITY BANK LEADER A.J. KING S cott is a Montana native who began a 24-year career as a banker by accident. His interests include economic and community development and a passion for life-long learn- ing. He relocated to Bozeman in 2015 as Chief Credit Officer of American Bank after spending almost 20 years in commercial lending with First Interstate Bank in Great Falls and Kalispell. He has had the pleasure of living in six of Montana’s seven largest communities. He is an active volunteer as a member of multi- ple community boards involving economic development and education. Supportive husband to Alison, proud father of two active high school boys, and a loyal graduate of Montana State University and Pacific Coast Banking School. He enjoys cheering on the Bobcats, golfing, skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking and is an avid reader. I n late July, the Association made the difficult decision to cancel our in-person football tailgate parties this fall. The decision was made easier by the fact that the University canceled the Grizzly football game for which we were slated to attend. All of us here at MIB are hopeful that ‘things’ will return to normal in 2021, and that we will once again be able to host our live member events. MEET NEW BOARD MEMBER, SCOTT MIZNER MIB’S TAILGATE PARTIES CANCELED