Pub. 11 2016-2017 Issue 6

March/April 2017 11 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. These gentlemen, by virtue of their positions in the Legislature, also serve as confidants and personal advisers for your NBA lobbying team. Again, special thanks to these individuals for offering their talents and leadership skills to make a difference for the state of Nebraska. Arrigo Celebrates 30 Years The success of every business is defined by the qual- ity, skills, initiative, and creativity of the employees who work for and represent the business. Your association is no exception! This month, the NBA pays special tribute to one of our key long-term employees, Ron Arrigo, who is celebrating 30 years of service to the NBA and Nebraska’s banking industry. Ron currently serves as NBA senior vice president, with responsibilities for member education and internal operations. In the three years I have worked with him, I have found Ron to be a consummate professional who understands the challenges and opportunities faced by our member institutions. He also is creative and willing to grow and evolve to meet new challenges in today’s ever- evolving world. Please help me in congratulating Ron on reaching this important milestone in his career. Strategic Planning Update As you probably know, in early 2016, the NBA Board of Directors contracted with Financial Shares Corp. (FSC) of Hinsdale, Ill., to help facilitate an NBA strategic planning process. To garner member and industry input, FSC has completed personal meetings with NBA leadership and key staff; conducted member surveys; led group planning sessions with the NBA, NBISCO, and VEBA Boards, NBA Past Chairmen, select Leadership Program alumni, Young Bankers of Nebraska representatives, and NBA staff; and also completed numerous member and non-member inter- views. The draft plan was presented to the NBA Board of Directors on March 23 for initial response and input. The final plan will be presented to the NBA membership at the NBA Annual Convention on May 4. Be on the lookout for how the NBA will grow and evolve to help meet the needs of Nebraska’s banking industry into the foreseeable future.  experience access BKD National Financial Services Group On site = insight. When you work with BKD National Financial Services Group, expect attention from partners and managers you’ll see and hear from regularly. BKD’s partner- to-staff ratio is lower than the average found in other national firms. We take a genuine interest in your financial institution, and we express it by being available, reliable, engaged and proactive. Experience how our insights can help take your organization to the next level. PARTNER TO STAFF 1:5 Lincoln // 402.473.7600 Omaha // 402.392.1040 bkd.com ■ President’s Message — continued from page 7 Richard J. Baier is president and CEO of the Nebraska Bankers Association (NBA). Founded in 1890, the NBA is the voice of Nebraska’s $75 billion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional, and large banks that together employ nearly 15,000 people, safeguard more than $57 billion in deposits, and extend nearly $56 billion in loans, all within the state of Nebraska. For more information, contact Baier at (402) 474-1555 or richard.baier@nebankers.org .