Pub. 9 2014-2015 Issue 6

March/April 2015 7 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Reflecting After Year One 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 J. 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 J. 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 M ARCH 17 REPRESENTED MY ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY with the NBA—three of those months in the president and CEO position. One of my goals when hired was to make a personal visit to every member bank (charter location) within the first year. While I fell just short of my goal, I managed to make personal visits to 185 of our 205 member institutions, from Falls City to Harrisburg. Clearly, the size and geographic diversity of our membership, coupled with the rapidly evolving landscape of the banking industry, will require the NBA to be even more strategic, flexible, and responsive in addressing the shared needs of our members. I want to use my space in this month’s magazine to share some of my initial thoughts and reactions as well as to take a quick peek at some of our current organi- zational priorities. • The NBAmaintains a very dedicated and highly professional staff who understands themembership and is truly dedicated to offering extraordinary service. Several long-term staff members were asked to accept new, expanded assignments following key retirements. These individuals have success- fully stepped up their game and are exceeding my expecta- tions in almost all circumstances. • As a result of exponential growth in federal banking regula- tions and implementation of state legislative term limits, administering a proactive government relations strategy will be an increasingly important component of the NBA’s plan of work. We are fortunate to have a strong government relations teamand a Political Action Committee that receives substantial member support. • The graying of the staff within our member banks leads to increased demand for educational opportunities to train the