Pub. 7 2012-2013 Issue 5

January | February 2013 7 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. ReachGeorge Beattie at (402) 474-1555 or george.beattie@nebankers.org . Get Involved! Make a Difference for Nebraska George Beattie , President & CEO, Nebraska Bankers Association T HINK FOR A MOMENT WHERE YOU WOULD BE AND HOW YOU would operate your bank had there been no new laws or regulations over the last 10 years. How about the impact of rules and regulations on your customers and their ability to maximize their bottom lines? Anoverly zealous regulatory environment, aka the long arm of government, is seriously affecting the ability of businesses to be profitable, create jobs, and serve their communities. This past November the people of Nebraska once again told us that we do not value experience in our Legislature. In two years, we will lose 20 state senators to term limits, probably some to normal attrition, and the governor. This leaves 19 or fewer electedofficials in charge of our statewhobecause of term limits have limited experience. While I am sure those who will be serving are capable indi- viduals, they do not have the institutional knowledge needed to avoid repeating mistakes made by others. As a result, the bureaucracy will be running the state. Accountability will be limitedand the old saying “be careful what youwish for because you just might get it” will come true. The purpose of this piece is not to harp on our problems or to advocate for another vote on term limits—that horse is well out of the barn. My focus here is to help you understand why political involvement is so important to the industry and to implore you to get involved. Electing the best pro-business candidates to office should be paramount for everyone in our industry. Vetting potential candidates, getting on board with them early in the process, providing financial support of their campaigns, and support- ing them once they are elected will go a long way toward filling the leadership void in the Nebraska Legislature and will pay dividends to the business and banking community in our state. Now is the time to start! Z 233 South 13th Street, Suite 700 Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 474-1555 • Fax: (402) 474-2946 NBA Board of Directors NBA Editorial Staff George Beattie NBA President & CEO george.beattie@nebankers.org Joni Sundquist Vice President of Communications joni.sundquist@nebankers.org Clark D. Lehr NBA Chairman (2012-2013) (402) 563-3656 First Nebraska Bank, Columbus John P. Stinner NBA Chairman-Elect (2012-2013) (308) 436-2300 Valley Bank & Trust Co., Gering Steven L. Anderson (402) 845-6565 Bank of Doniphan, Doniphan Kelley Ayres (308) 832-2030 First Bank & Trust Co., Minden Bob Balfany (402)434-1035 U.S. Bank, N.A., Lincoln Nicholas W. Baxter (402) 602-1839 First National Bank of Omaha, Omaha Cory A. Bergt (402) 434-4122 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Lincoln John E. Bothof (402) 334-0300 Northwest Bank, Omaha David P. Dannehl (308) 876-2451 First State Bank of Loomis, Loomis Alan L. Fosler (402) 323-1272 Union Bank & Trust Co., Lincoln Mark W. Hansen (402) 434-3462 West Gate Bank, Lincoln Stephen J. Hatz (402) 918-1567 Bank of the West, Omaha Michael J. Homa (402) 351-4248 Mutual of Omaha Bank, Omaha Douglas G. Johnson (402) 329-6221 Midwest Bank, N.A., Pierce Jeffrey C. Johnson (402) 562-2108 Columbus Bank & Trust Co., Columbus Timothy E. Keller (402) 375-2043 F&M Bank, Wayne John F. Kotouc (402) 399-5088 American National Bank, Omaha Clarence L. Landen III (402) 449-0919 Security National Bank of Omaha, Omaha Kevin J. Larson (402) 372-5147 CharterWest National Bank, West Point Garold G. Leggott (402) 363-6688 York State Bank, York Brian Lierman (402) 475-0521 Great Western Bank, Lincoln Barry J. Lockard (402) 434-2225 Cornhusker Bank, Lincoln Dudley C. Oltmans (308) 532-5936 Adams Bank & Trust, North Platte Kimberly A. Schroll (308) 534-2861 NebraskaLand National Bank, North Platte Ryne D. Seaman (402) 643-3636 The Cattle National Bank & Trust Co., Seward James H. Varney (877) 860-2266 Custer Federal Savings & Loan Assn., Broken Bow Kendell G. Holthus NBA Past Chairman (402) 363-7414 Cornerstone Bank, York Larry D. Marik NBA Past Chairman (402) 910-1387 First National Bank of Columbus, Columbus PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE