Bank Leaders of Kansas (BLOK)
KBA’s Bank Leaders of Kansas (BLOK) prepares bankers to play an active, positive role in molding the future of the Kansas banking industry. Since the program’s inception, more than 259 Kansas bankers have completed the BLOK training experience and are occupying important leadership roles within the KBA and within their communities.
Thank You to Our Generous BLOK Program Sponsors!
BLOK PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
1: To increase individual bankers’ understanding and knowledge of the structure and governance of the KBA, including a complete overview of programs, services, and representation provided by KBA.
2: To increase individual bankers’ understanding of the state and federal legislative process and increase their willingness to actively support and defend the Kansas banking industry.
3: To increase individual bankers’ understanding and awareness of the various state and federal agencies that govern the banking industry in Kansas and how those agencies interact with the KBA.
4: To improve individual bankers’ leadership and communication skills and to provide a clear understanding of their role as a volunteer KBA leader.
FAQs
Any owner or employee of a bank that is a member or strategic partner of the Kansas Bankers Association is eligible to apply.
Qualified individuals can apply for the BLOK Program by completing a BLOK application form and emailing it Sara Blubaugh (references are required).
Applications must be postmarked or submitted to the KBA office by November 15.
Yes. There is a $1,295 participant fee that you or your bank will be required to submit once you’ve been selected to participate in the program. Travel & lodging expenses are not included in the BLOK registration fee.
Registration to KBA’s Government Relations Conference.
Conference meals and some ground transportation will be provided (airfare & hotel costs are not covered by the participant fee).
BLOK Alumni
Amy Barber, Central National Bank, Topeka
Crystal Boyer, Kendall Bank, Overland Park (formerly with First Interstate Bank, Shawnee)
Jen Cocking, Capitol Federal Savings Bank
Dena Flach, Stockgrowers State Bank, Maple Hill
Alex Goodpaster, Equity Bank, Overland Park
Mike Hamilton, Adams Bank & Trust, Colby
Kristie Henry, United Bank & Trust, Marysville
Dustin Hickel, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Prairie Village
Brett Hubka, GNBank, Clay Center
Sarah Keeny Moon, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Derby
Carl Keith, Solutions North Bank, Hill City
Garet King, Fusion Bank, Overland Park
Matt Koupal, FHLBank, Topeka
James Leftwich, Security 1st Title, LLC, Wichita
Katrina Loader, Astra Bank, Abilene
Victoria Pruitt, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Hutchinson
Rex Reynolds, Legacy Bank, Wichita
Elizabeth Roche, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Justin Sparks, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita
Adeel Syed, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Brandi Archer, First National Bank and Trust, Phillipsburg
Jennifer Caughron, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita
Nicholas Gideon, Silver Lake Bank, Lawrence
Alex Greig, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
James Hagedorn, United Bank & Trust, Seneca
Sam Jackson, First State Bank, Plainville
Jordan Lauer, Farmers State Bank, Westmoreland
Kyle Murrow, Denison State Bank, Holton
Deron O’Connor, Astra Bank, Hays
Francis Scheuerman, UMB Bank, N.A., Kansas City, MO
Garrett Sharp, Community National Bank & Trust, Chanute
Clint Shoemaker, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Co., Beloit
Lindsey Snider, Central National Bank, Junction City
Brock Stuhlsatz, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Derby
Greg Thiessen, First Bank of Beloit, Beloit
Cole Thompson, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Kimberly Wallace, Equity Bank, Wichita
Lewis Walton, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Trae Watson, Dream First Bank, N.A. (formerly Heartland Tri-State Bank), Elkhart
Evan Whetzal, First Heritage Bank, Seneca
Joe White, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Chris Bartlett (formerly with First National Bank of Kansas, Burlington)
Lance Caldwell, UMB Bank, Kansas City,MO (formerly with Kaw Valley Capital Advisors dba Hybarger & Associates, Olathe)
Heather Campbell, Pinion (formerly KCoe Isom), Wichita
Ed Dewey, GNBank, Bucklin
Andrew Ellner, Country Club Bank, Olathe
Tricia Fowler, Dream First Bank, N.A. (formerly Heartland Tri-State Bank, Arlington
Lacey Frehe, United Bank & Trust, Seneca
Alex Jones, Bank of Commerce, Neodesha
Denise Kissinger, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Lawrence
Chris Kuckelman, Midwest Trust Company, Leawood
Jim Metz, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Lincoln
David Moore, Central National Bank, Lawrence
Kaylene Plummer, Farmers State Bank, Westmoreland
Brian Schwarz, First Bank Kansas, Salina
Jeff Steiner, FHLBank Topeka, Topeka
Grady Trumble, Legacy Bank, Wichita
Kelly VanZwoll, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Brian Whitesell, Landmark National Bank, Manhattan
Blake Yakel, Equity Bank, Wichita
Aaron Zadina, Centera Bank, Greensburg
Derek Bailey, Central Bank, Lawrence (formerly with First Interstate Bank (formerly Great Western Bank), Shawnee
Chris Bilby, Home Savings Bank, Chanute
Jared Brown, Impact Bank, Wellington
Eric Clemenson, Arvest Bank, Mission
Kelli Galbrecht, CrossFirst Bank, Leawood
Darrin Golliher, Stockgrowers State Bank, Meade
Jeremy Hacker, United Bank & Trust, Concordia
Jacob LaRue, Bank of Commerce, Chanute
Jeff Martin, First Heritage Bank, Centralia
Blake Meyer, Denison State Bank, Holton
Don Reinsch, Central National Bank, Junction City
Suzan Saville, FHLBank Topeka, Topeka
Crissy Shumard, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Carmelita Taylor, Astra Bank, Abilene
Lindsey Voss, Farmers Bank & Trust, Overland Park
Tyler Walden, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik L.C., Wichita
Chris Wente, Golden Belt Bank, Hays
Kristen Wesolowsky (formerly with Legacy Bank, Wichita)
Amanda Williams, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita
Terry Wright (formerly with GNBank, Horton)
Rocky Anderson, Kaw Valley Bank, Topeka (formerly with Equity Bank, Topeka)
Aaron Atzbach, Astra Bank, Dodge City (formerly with Western State Bank, Dodge City)
Tyler Bachman, First Heritage Bank, Overland Park
Anna Baker, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Patrick Bolen, Bank of Prairie Village, Fairway
Nicole Burczyk, CrossFirst Bank, Leawood (formerly with Country Club Bank, Prairie Village)
Monica Dahl, Arvest Bank, Overland Park
Beth Easter, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Lawrence
Janet Enlow (formerly with Bucklin National Bank, Bucklin)
Tom Galbrecht, CrossFirst Bank, Leawood (formerly with Bank of the Prairie, Olathe)
Ryan Gilliland, FHLBank Topeka, Topeka
Jared Hatesohl, United Bank & Trust, Manhattan
Stephen Hendrickson, Citizens State Bank of Marysville, Hanover
Jamie Inglett, (formerly with First Security Bank, Overbrook)
John Legg, Central National Bank, Topeka
Grant Paitz, INTRUST Bank, NA, Wichita
Shawn Riley (formerly with Citizens Bank of Kansas, Wichita)
Dylan Serrault, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Steven Suellentrop, Legacy Bank, Wichita
Tanna Thompson (formerly with Astra Bank, Abilene)
Kyle Allen, United Bank & Trust, Sabetha
Mike Brown, (formerly with Security 1st Title, Wichita)
Mandy Burton, Dream First Bank, N.A. (fomerly Heartland Tri-State Bank), Elkhart
Sam Chandler, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Ryan Commerford, The Bennington State Bank, Salina (formerly with First Bank Kansas, Salina)
Jeff Emmot, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Jonathon Johnson, Home Savings Bank, Chanute
Vance Keller, Dream First Bank, Syracuse
Mark Kennedy, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Ellsworth
Shellee Maginness, Farmers State Bank, Manhattan
Ben Murphy, Alliance Bank, Topeka (formerly with Heritage Bank, Topeka)
Cody Palen, Astra Bank, Hays
Bryce Porter, Citizens State Bank of Marysville, Waterville
Travis Ray, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Company, Smith Center
Scott Rock, Central National Bank, Junction City
Greg Saville, First National Bank and Trust, Phillipsburg
Eric Stofer, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Julie Voelker, Community State Bank, Coffeyville (formerly with Community National Bank & Trust, Independence)
Brett Wicker, Central National Bank, Gardner (formerly with Bank of Commerce, Chanute)
Kyle Allen, United Bank & Trust, Sabetha
Mike Brown, (formerly with Security 1st Title, Wichita)
Mandy Burton, Dream First Bank, N.A. (fomerly Heartland Tri-State Bank), Elkhart
Sam Chandler, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Ryan Commerford, The Bennington State Bank, Salina (formerly with First Bank Kansas, Salina)
Jeff Emmot, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Jonathon Johnson, Home Savings Bank, Chanute
Vance Keller, Dream First Bank, Syracuse
Mark Kennedy, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Ellsworth
Shellee Maginness, Farmers State Bank, Manhattan
Ben Murphy, Alliance Bank, Topeka (formerly with Heritage Bank, Topeka)
Cody Palen, Astra Bank, Hays
Bryce Porter, Citizens State Bank of Marysville, Waterville
Travis Ray, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Cawker City (formerly with Guaranty State Bank & Trust Company, Smith Center)
Scott Rock, Central National Bank, Junction City
Greg Saville, First National Bank and Trust, Phillipsburg
Eric Stofer, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Julie Voelker, Community State Bank, Coffeyville (formerly with Community National Bank & Trust, Independence)
Brett Wicker, Central National Bank, Gardner (formerly with Bank of Commerce, Chanute)
Janel Burch, The Peoples Bank (formerly The Farmers Bank of Osborne), Osborne
Andrew Chaney, Equity Bank, Wichita
Ben Drouhard, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Wichita
Deanne Engstrom, First Security Bank, Paola (formerly with Country Club Bank, Olathe and Bank of the Prairie, Olathe)
Layne Hoops, Astra Bank, Scandia
Tim Krueger (formerly with VisionBank, Topeka)
Janet Lowell, Central National Bank, Manhattan
Colby May, Equity Bank, Andover (formerly with Andover State Bank, Andover)
Ryan McLaughlin (formerly with Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka and Central States Capital Markets, Prairie Village)
Patrick Melland (formerly with Promontory
Interfinancial Network, Kansas City, MO)
Brandon Nordhus, United Bank & Trust, Marysville (formerly with Community National Bank, Seneca)
Traci Overpeck, Dream First Bank, N.A. (formerly Heartland Tri-State Bank), Elkhart
Maria Pfizenmaier, United Bank & Trust, Clay Center
David White, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Bobby Young, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Allison Carpenter (formerly with Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka)
Sara Girard, Central National Bank, Topeka
Trent Grissom (formerly with CalTech, Olathe)
Mikel Hadachek, Astra Bank, Belleville
Elsa Havel (formerly with Grant County Bank, Ulysses)
Kim Hesting, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Co., Beloit
Matt Hoefer, Great American Bank, Kansas City (formerly with First State Bank & Trust Co. of Larned, Overland Park)
Sheila Lunsford, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Hutchinson (formerly with First National Bank in Pratt, Pratt)
Brice Malloy (formerly with Legacy Bank, Wichita)
Tami Molloy (formerly with Verus Bank, Derby)
Scott Nelson, Carson Bank, Mulvane
Sam S. Pepper, Jr., Equity Bank, Wichita
Christy Simonsen (formerly with Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita)
Scott Soderstrom, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Travis Thompson, Farmers Bank & Trust, Larned
Barbara White, Arvest Bank, Overland Park
Nick Wolfe, United Bank & Trust, Marysville
Brad Zimmerman, Farmers Bank & Trust, Atwood (formerly with First National Bank, Scott City and Bucklin National Bank branch GNBank, Bucklin)
Chris Baker, Bank of the Plains (formerly Bank VI), Salina
Chris Bualle, GNBank (formerly Girard National Bank), Girard
Alan Campbell, Impact Bank, Wellington
Chris Gilbert (formerly with Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita)
David King, Equity Bank, Wichita
Bobbi LaViolette, Farmers Bank & Trust, Great Bend
Ryan Liess, INTRUST Bank, N.A., El Dorado
Susan Otterstein, Centera Bank, Dodge City
Kent Schwerdt, Kaw Valley Bank, Topeka
Jamie Smith, Community National Bank, Tonganoxie
Kristy Umscheid, Office of the State Bank Commissioner, Topeka (formerly with Farmers State Bank, Westmoreland)
Brenda Unruh, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Miki Bowman, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Washington, DC (formerly with The Office of the State Bank Commissioner, Topeka and with Farmers & Drovers Bank, Council Grove)
Brian Eilert, First Bank of Beloit (formerly First National Bank), Beloit
Jan Endicott, Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland
Todd English, Western State Bank, Dodge City
Patrick Harbert, Equity Bank, Wichita
Craig Heideman, Kaw Valley Bank, Topeka
Tammy Marrs (formerly with First National Bank, Miltonvale)
Codi Mason, Centera Bank, Sublette
Christine May, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Company, Beloit
Michael Miller, Integrity Bank, Fowler (formerly with Montezuma State Bank, Copeland)
Matt Needham, The Capital Corporation LLC, Prairie Village (formerly with CrossFirst Advisors & CrossFirst Bank, Leawood)
Lisa Nyp (formerly with Midwest Community Bank, Palco)
Darlene Schmidt, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co. (formerly State Bank of Delphos), Delphos
Tim Smith, First State Bank, Plainville (formerly with Astra Bank, Hays)
Wes Spohr (formerly with INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita)
Lonnie Wild, Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co., Topeka, (formerly with The St. Marys State Bank, St. Marys
Scott W. Cooper, Patriots Bank, Garnett
Julie A. Huber, Equity Bank, N.A., Wichita
John M. Kilroy, UMB Bank, N.A., Kansas City, MO
Grant A. LacKamp, Morgan Stanley, Kansas City (formerly with Country Club Bank, Prairie Village)
Judd A. Liebau, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Junction City
Kevin Moeder, Farmers Bank & Trust NA, La Crosse
Lucas R. Moore, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Hiawatha (formerly with Pony Express Community Bank, Horton)
Adrian A. Morales, formerly with Home State Bank & Trust Co., McPherson
Janice L. Peters, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Co., Beloit
Laura E. Polite (formerly with Kendall State Bank, Valley Falls)
Greg P. Rodvelt, GNBank, Horton
John J. Runnebaum, Community National Bank & Trust, Topeka (formerly with United Bank & Trust, Clay Center)
Melisa G. Sorenson, Legacy Bank, Wichita
Connie Van Winkle, Centera Bank, Minneola
Tom G. Wagner, Citizens Bank of Kansas, N.A., Wichita
Matthew J. Canfield, Valley State Bank, Belle Plaine
Nancy E. George, GNBank, Girard (formerly Girard National Bank, Girard)
Allison M. Grace, Andover State Bank, Andover
Joylynn R. Gutierrez, Bison State Bank, Lawrence (formerly with Bank of Tescott, Salina)
Jason L. Johnson, First National Bank and Trust, Beloit (formerly with Guaranty State Bank & Trust Co., Jewell)
Jan L. Lanie, KANZA Bank, Kingman
Jay B. Meyer, Centera Bank, Sublette
Michael L. Needham, First Security Bank, Paola (formerly with Arvest Bank, Mission)
Brandon C. Oien, The Bank, Colby
Eric R. Schroeder, CrossFirst Bank, Overland Park
Brandon M. Vering, The Citizens National Bank, Greenleaf
Steven H. White, Farmers and Drovers Bank, Council Grove
Kyle A. Campbell, Astra Bank, Abilene
Ruth J. Emerson, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Company, Beloit
Ryan P. Engle (formerly with Exchange National Bank, Cottonwood Falls)
Kimberly J. Fairbank, First National Bank, Cimarron
Steve J. Gegen (formerly with Legacy Bank, Wichita)
Alan G. Meyer, State Bank of Bern, Axtell
Michael J. Palen, formerly with Western State Bank, Garden City
Barry M. Purdy, KANZA Bank, Eureka
Bradley D. Rucker, Home Bank & Trust Co. of Eureka, Eureka
Gary E. Yager (formerly with VisionBank, Topeka)
David A. Chappell, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Augusta (formerly with Union State Bank, Udall)
Donald S. Cushing (formerly with FHLBank Topeka, Topeka)
Erik L. Ganstrom (formerly with Community National Bank, Seneca and Baileyville State Bank, Seneca)
Dan J. Heinz, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Wichita
Chet A. Lang, Emprise Bank, McPherson (formerly with Sunflower Bank, N.A., McPherson)
Cliff W. Leach, FNB Bank (formerly First National Bank), Goodland
Edward L. Mohney, GNBank, Horton (formerly with Community National Bank, Seneca)
Jody L. Price, Kaw Valley State Bank & Trust Co., Wamego
Terry I. Puett (formerly with Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita)
Lucas L. Sawyer, Prairie Bank of Kansas, Inman (formerly Farmers National Bank)
Alan Allenbach, Dream First Bank, N.A. (formerly Heartland Tri-State Bank), Attica
Jennifer L. Bartels, Equity Bank, Overland Park (formerly with UMB Bank, Kansas City)
Blake M. Bauer (formerly with United Bank & Trust, Manhattan)
Machelle M. VanTrump, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Ellsworth
Kerry L. Hatzenbuehler, Pinion (formerly KCoe Isom/Kennedy & Coe LLC), Wichita
Jonathan C. Holmes, Valley State Bank, Belle Plaine
Kendal L. Kay, Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland
Robin R. LacKamp, (formerly with Peoples Exchange Bank, Concordia
Craig H. Stukey, First National Bank of Kansas, Waverly
Jeffrey B. Van Dyke (formerly with Midwest Community Bank, Plainville)
Marc L. Ward (formerly with Sunflower Bank, Wichita)
Lance L. White, Bank of the Flint Hills (formerly First National Bank, Wamego)
Calvin Coady, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita
Amy Fauss, Crossfirst Bank, Overland Park (formerly with Solutions Bank, Overland Park)
Eric Haar, (formerly with FHLBank Topeka, Topeka)
Julie Hower, Farmers & Drovers Bank, Council Grove
Ivan Huntoon (formerly with Baldwin State Bank, Baldwin City)
Matthew Keller (formerly with Gardner National Bank, Gardner)
Darrel Miller, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Hutchinson (formerly with Central Bank and Trust Co., Hutchinson)
Katherine Schwerdtfager, Bank of Tescott, Lincoln (formerly with Guaranty State Bank & Trust Co., Beloit)
Paul Bures, Country Club Bank, Prairie Village (formerly with Kansas Bankers Surety, Topeka)
Frank Carson IV, Carson Bank (formerly Mulvane State Bank), Mulvane
Joshua Dechant, Western State Bank, Goodland (formerly with BANKWEST of Kansas, Goodland)
Michael Ewy, Community State Bank, Coffeyville
Matthew Lee, Centera Bank, Satanta
Kelly Linnens, Cottonwood Valley Bank, Florence
Steven Niemack, Stockgrowers State Bank, Maple Hill (formerly with Lyndon State Bank, Lyndon)
Tamarah Pruitt, Guaranty State Bank & Trust Company, Beloit
Matt Taylor, Denison State Bank, Holton
Dwane Timm, FNB Bank (formerly First National Bank), Goodland
Alex Williams, The Halstead Bank, Halstead
BLOK TRAINING SESSIONS
Session I includes an inside look at the structure, governance and history of the KBA and a behind the scenes look at the state legislative process. Participants will also be treated to an in-depth look at the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
Session II is built around a visit to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, including presentations by key leadership. This session will also feature personal and professional accountability training, a unique look at how community banks in Kansas are competing with one another, and a discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing bank CEOs in Kansas’ fastest growing region.
Session III is focused on Improving Bank Performance through Leadership, Accountability and Maximizing Team Results. This session includes special training on leadership communication skills, building a winning team and also includes a discussion on recruiting and retaining top bank talent.
Session IV consists of a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., chaperoned by members of KBA’s Federal Affairs Committee. This session includes stops at the American Bankers Association, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the offices of Kansas Congressional Delegation.
