Independent Banker - December 2018 - 5

FLOURISH
" We must all pause this
holiday season and
appreciate the people
who make this industry
what it is. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
With the holidays and New Year on the horizon,
it's a time to refl ect on 2018 and what it
meant for us personally, professionally and, as it
often is for community bankers, a mix of both.
We can refl ect on our victory in May in the
form of S.2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory
Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. It
came after years of advocacy and passionate storytelling
about what regulatory relief would mean
for our banks and the communities we serve.
We can refl ect on being at the forefront of innovation.
In October, we led the way by partnering
with The Venture Center to launch the ICBA
ThinkTech Accelerator. Through this exciting initiative,
we will bring community banks, early-stage
fi ntechs and key stakeholders to the table to identify
challenges, solve problems and, ultimately,
provide more opportunities for economic growth
and development in communities throughout
America. What an incredible opportunity.
And we can refl ect on the many friendships
we forged and grew throughout the year, often
at events like ICBA Community Banking LIVE
or our respective state conventions. These were
opportunities to gather with friends while moving
our great industry forward.
I also can't help but think of Kurt Yost, whom
we lost in October. Kurt was president and CEO
of Nebraska Independent Community Bankers
Where I'll be
this month
I will be in Austin
attending a
retirement
celebration
for Chris
Williston, who is
stepping down
as president
and CEO of
Independent
Bankers
Association of
Texas
for 34 years and was one of the community banking
industry's greatest champions.
My inbox has been fl ooded with emails in the
weeks since his passing-messages from community
bankers across the country sharing their
stories about how Kurt was such an incredible
friend, advocate and all-around amazing person.
Anyone who knew Kurt could always expect
a hug, an attaboy and an ear-to-ear smile. The
minute he walked into a room, he made you feel
welcomed-he always made me feel welcomed.
Kurt was a powerfully positive presence wherever
he was and in whatever he did.
He was also a problem solver who called it like
it was. He was, without a doubt, a game changer.
Thank you for everything that you were and
everything you accomplished for our industry,
Yostie. We will miss you immensely.
And this is exactly why we must all pause this
holiday season and appreciate the people who
make this industry what it is: something unique,
something special, something to be grateful for.
Thank you, community bankers, for all you do.
I wish you the happiest of holidays and the warmest
of wishes for the New Year.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
independentbanker.org Q 5
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - December 2018

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