The Arkansas Bankers Association Chairman's Letters are published in the monthly Arkansas Banker Magazine.
As we stand on the threshold of a new year in the annals of the Arkansas Bankers Association, I pause to look back over my shoulder at the contributions of others.
In doing so, my wife, Kathryn, and I wish to commend John and Becky Womack on a job well done on behalf of our Association during the course of the past three years. Traveling with Becky and John and watching as they represented this Association and our state and sharing with them the excitement of welcoming grandchildren into our respective families for the first time within the past couple of years has secured a friendship that is sure to be strong all the rest of our lives.
Our annual convention in Hot Springs this year was a real treat. I want to express my appreciation to our staff for the flawless organization, to our convention speakers for sharing enlightened information, to our vendors for a first class trade show, to our Political Action Committee auction donors for their contributions toward padding our PAC coffers, and to our sponsors for creating a festive environment and for bringing us excellent entertainment. A good time was had by all!
To maintain the momentum established by our successful convention, I ask that you mark your calendars for the upcoming Emerging Leaders Conference scheduled for July 18-19 in Hot Springs and for the Bank Management Seminar to be held in Branson, Missouri August 7-9 and make sure your bank is represented at these events. In planning your trip to the BMS, I invite you to pack up your fishing gear and stop in Mountain Home for a visit. Trout fishing on the North Fork and White Rivers is still great despite recent flooding and high water. Living and banking in the Ozarks of north central Arkansas is a real pleasure. You get a line, I’ll get a pole…………….
In my remarks to those in attendance at our annual convention banquet, I compared our Arkansas Bankers Association leadership team to the perennial powerhouse programs of college basketball. Head coach Ken Hammonds directs a superior coaching staff with seasoned assistants. Our board of directors and our Emerging Leaders provide the bench strength we need to endure a long season. We have excellent senior leadership with John Womack, a four-year starter at Past Chairman and Jimmy Thomason, a two-year starter at Treasurer. Tandy Menefee is a sophomore sensation at Chairman Elect and we have recruited an outstanding all-star talent, Reynie Rutledge, at Vice Chairman. I see my role as a point guard who hopefully will be known for dishing out a fair number of assists with very few turnovers. We have bankers all over this state who can readily score points with legislators and regulators so long as we keep them well informed about the issues. I have watched John Womack, Larry Wilson, Tommy May, and Gus Rusher skillfully handle the ball with care over the past few years as I sat on the bench. I’m confident this year’s team will deliver dependable play in government relations in an important legislative year and will continue to bring excellent educational opportunities to our member bankers.
As I gaze into the rafters of my imaginary gym, I see a number of retired jerseys belonging to outstanding players from past Association teams. From my vantage point, two stand out. Joe Hiatt and the late Jimmy Hobgood are two bankers whose words and deeds encouraged me to be active in industry affairs. Both these men personify the passion and compassion I see in the top notch banking professionals in our state and I am grateful for their influence.
It is my pledge to represent this Association as another strong link in the chain of diligent leadership that has been present since its inception 118 years ago. I am both humbled and honored to serve as your Chairman for the coming year. Let’s go to work and have some fun!
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