Pub. 8 2013-2013 Issue 5

January | February 2014 7 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE T his year is the beginning of the end for me. After announcing to your board last March my plans to retire on Jan. 2, 2015, the process to find and name a new CEO began. By the time this issue of Nebraska Banker magazine is published you will know the name of my successor. This year holds both excitement and trepidation for me. As I begin my 23rd year with the NBA, I am excited and remain committed to the work of the association. My wife tells me I am excited about retirement—and I am, really. However, I hold some trepidation as to whether I have fully prepared our organization for what will be a smooth transition. This past year, we engaged an executive coach for a number of our senior staff. The progress we have made in prepara- tion for the transition to a new CEO has been phenomenal. We now have an exceptionally strong bench here at the NBA. This exercise, coupled with implementing the NBA succession plan, puts us on the threshold of bringing on a successor CEO. The time remaining will allow me the opportunity to intro- duce our new leader to you the membership, immerse this individual in all aspects of the NBA and its affiliated entities, and prepare this person for what I am sure will be a successful career with the NBA. Having the opportunity to serve you as president of the NBA has been my great fortune. While many view banking as the most extreme example of capitalism, I see all the good works you do in your communities and for the state of Ne- braska. You are the engines of our economy. You help people fulfill their dreams—from the modest to the grandeur. You are the heart of your communities, pumping economic blood into the fiscal veins of Main Street businesses, local citizens, farms and ranches, buildings, and numerous charities and neighborhood organizations. I am proud to have served you and wish you great success and prosperity in the future.  Preparing for Your Future 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 John P. Stinner NBA Chairman (2013-2014) (308) 436-2300 Valley Bank & Trust Co., Gering Craig G. Brewster NBA Chairman-Elect (2013-2014) (402) 775-2271 Butte State Bank, Butte Steven L. Anderson (402) 845-6565 Bank of Doniphan, Doniphan Kelley Ayres (308) 832-2030 First Bank & Trust Co., Minden Robert A. 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 Alan L. Fosler (402) 323-1272 Union Bank & Trust Co., Lincoln Mark W. Hansen (402) 434-3462 West Gate Bank, Lincoln Kristie K. Holoch (402) 363-7431 Cornerstone Bank, York Michael J. Homa (402) 351-4248 Mutual of Omaha Bank, Omaha Douglas G. Johnson (402) 329-6221 Midwest Bank, 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 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 Donald E. Moore (308) 345-4994 First Central Bank McCook, McCook Dudley C. Oltmans (308) 532-5936 Adams Bank & Trust, North Platte Anthony Rappa (402) 918-5442 Bank of the West, Omaha 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 State Bank Kendell G. Holthus NBA Past Chairman (402) 363-7414 Cornerstone Bank, York Clark D. Lehr NBA Past Chairman (402) 563-3656 First Nebraska Bank, Columbus George Beattie, President & CEO, Nebraska Bankers Association Reach George Beattie at george.beattie@nebankers.org.