Independent Banker - April 2024 - 43

THE EVOLUTION OF A COMMUNITY BANKER
These members of ICBA's board of directors have grown immensely
since they first became bankers. They reflect on how far they've
come-and what they want new leadership bankers to know.
" I have become more confident
both in my knowledge and in my
voice. When I started, I felt like I was
expected to know way more than I
actually did. ... I kept my opinions to
myself, even if I felt like they would
add value. ... These days, I probably
talk too much! To those starting
out: Speak up. Some of the best
ideas come from people with less
experience and a fresh perspective.
And, if you ever feel like you know
it all, you're wrong-I still learn
something new every day. "
-Sarah Getzlaff , ICBA Bank Operations
Committee chairman, and CEO of Security
First Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck, N.D.
" I've been at my bank for 42 years,
so change is very hard for me. That
being said, if you aren't willing to
or cannot evolve in your leadership
role, then you are detrimental to
moving your bank forward. Good
leaders listen, and bosses direct. Be
a good leader! "
-Douglas E. Parrott, ICBA PAC chairman,
and CEO and chairman of State Bank of
Toulon in Toulon, Ill.
" I'm more patient than I was early in
my career. When we're young, we
want to do things quickly and get
immediate rewards for our eff orts.
Time changes our expectations,
and it's more important to slow
down and obtain the positive
results you're looking for. "
-Verlin " Gus " J. Barker, ICBA Rural
America and Agriculture Committee
chairman, and president and CEO of First
Community Bank in Newell, Iowa
" There was a time when my
sole focus was on our bank and
our success, but my focus has
expanded to include the overall
banking industry and how crucial
it is to not only be involved locally,
but also on the state and national
level. ... I always encourage and
expect our emerging leaders to look
beyond their job and to be involved
locally and to continue learning. "
-Gay G. Dempsey, ICBA at-large director,
and CEO of Bank of Lincoln County in
Fayetteville, Tenn.
" In the beginning, I thought it was
about deposits and loans. Now, I
realize the real reward is the people
behind the deposits and loans and
the diff erence we can make in their
lives. I have also learned that, as a
leader, it's not about asking what
your team can do for you, but rather
asking what you can do for your
team. The best leader is a servant
leader where you walk alongside
others, not in front of them. "
-Peter Nelson, ICBA Policy Development
Committee chairman, and president of
Glenwood State Bank in Glenwood, Minn.
" I have learned there is a lot of
'gray' in the job. As a trained
accountant prior to coming to
the bank, I preferred my job to be
more black-and-white. I had to
learn and adjust my thinking to
understand that really isn't the case
in community banking. Our ability
to be creative when structuring a
deal to help a small business or lead
a team is what sets us apart as a
community bank. ... It is important
[for bankers] to use all the lessons
learned along the way, including the
mistakes made, which will make you
better as a leader. ... Those instances
usually teach you more than when
you make the 'perfect' decision. "
-Anita K. Drentlaw, ICBA Bank Education
Committee chairman, and CEO, president
and chief financial off icer of New Market
Bank in Elko New Market, Minn.
Sills: I hope the new Congress can fi nd
some opportunities to work together.
We need new and existing members to
understand that the regulatory burden
is real, and we need more tiered
regulations for community banks to
survive and prosper.
Leighty: My hope is that the incoming
members of Congress are open to
learning about community banking. ...
They need to know how diff erent our
model is from the big banks and that
we need less regulatory burden-not
more. My hope is they will fi nally
take a look at the mission creep of the
credit union industry as well.
Williams: ICBA and community
banks have a great reputation
in Congress, and we need to be
working together to pass legislation
and regulatory relief that allow us
to better serve and help grow our
communities across the country.
Bolton: I hope that we can make real
progress in obtaining an exemption
from Section 1071, protect our
ability to off er overdraft protection
programs for our customers, pass the
SAFE Banking Act and get the ILC
[industrial loan company] bill across
independentbanker.org // 43
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Independent Banker - April 2024

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