Pub. 9 2014-2015 Issue 5

January | February 2015 7 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Our Changing Election Landscape 233 South 13th Street, Suite 700 Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 474-1555 • Fax: (402) 474-2946 NBA Board of Directors NBA Editorial Staff Richard Baier Joni Sundquist NBA President & CEO Senior Vice President of Communications richard.baier@nebankers.org joni.sundquist@nebankers.org  President’s Message — continued on page 11 Richard Baier, President & CEO, Nebraska Bankers Association Craig G. Brewster NBA Chairman (402) 775-2271 Butte State Bank, Butte Michael Pate NBA Chairman-Elect (402) 916-1401 United Republic Bank, Omaha 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 Jerry A. Catlett (402) 353-2555 Bruning State Bank, Bruning 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 Chris Hove (402) 420-8344 Nebraska Bank of Commerce, Lincoln Dale L. Johnson (308) 452-3225 Town & Country Bank, Ravenna Douglas G. Johnson (402) 329-6221 Midwest Bank, Pierce Susan K. Koranda (402) 256-3247 Security Bank, Laurel 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 D. Lierman (308) 324-5691 Great Western Bank, Lexington Larry E. McPhillips (402) 367-4334 Bank of the Valley, David City 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 Clark D. Lehr NBA Past Chairman (402) 563-3656 First Nebraska Bank, Columbus John P. Stinner NBA Past Chairman (308) 436-2300 Valley Bank & Trust Co., Gering I F YOU ARE LIKE SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS, ELECTION DAY offers a reason to celebrate—not because they have the opportunity to exercise their most basic democratic right as U.S. citizens, but because all of the political advertise- ments will be removed from the newspaper, radio, television, and social media distribution channels. Unfortunately, in today’s media-driven world, research indicates that candidate ads, especially negative ads, work. This new reality has driven the cost of running a campaign for office to record levels, with no real end in sight. The banking industry now more than ever must use its time and resources to support candidates for office who are smart, solution-driven, and committed to the importance of free enterprise and limited government involvement. As you know, two of the NBA’s former chairmen were elected as part of the newest Nebraska legislative class. Thanks to both Matt Williams of Gothenburg and John Stinner of Gering for their willingness to get actively involved in statewide politics. Both of these gentlemen campaigned aggressively in their districts and both won their respective races withmore than 70 percent voter approval! While final year-end numbers were not yet available as this issue went to press, I am pleased to report Nebraska banker commitment to the Nebraska State BankPAC has reached a new record, with more than $134,145 collected during 2014. The NBA BankPAC Committee subsequently disbursed more than $171,800 to candidates for state and federal offices. Funds were provided, for example, to 46 legislative candidates during the primary and general elections as well as to candidates for constitutional offices. BankPAC funds also were provided to support candidates for the U.S. Senate and the House of Rep- resentatives. Special thanks to the many banks and bankers who contributed to this year’s BankPAC fund drive. I want to extendmy personal thanks to BankPAC Committee Chairman Mark Linville of Randolph andmembers of the NBA BankPAC Committee for their relentless fundraising efforts and for their decisions in supporting successful candidates for elected office. The NBA BankPAC is not the only statewide organization making substantial commitments to candidates for elected office. Our friends at the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce