40 Under 40: 2026's Community Bank Leaders

Edited by Allie Johnson and Ben Wagner

Financial education advocates

Financial literacy for all

Financial literacy is an essential life skill, and community banks are well positioned to teach it. These 40 Under 40 honorees are providing next-level education for their customers and communities through multiple channels, from classrooms and digital tools to community partnerships. By Judith Sears

As a community banker, David Greenwell, CEO of $430 million-asset Town & Country Bank and Trust Co. in Bardstown, Kentucky, believes in the power of financial literacy. “We have an obligation to promote positive, lasting change and proactively educate customers and the community,” he says.

Working with civic organizations amplifies outreach, allowing community banks to deliver financial education in ways that are practical and accessible. Andrew Whalen, market president for $2.7 billion-asset Planters Bank in Indianola, Mississippi, has previously chaired the Mississippi Bankers Association program “A Banker in Every Classroom,” which has reached more than 100,000 K-12 students in the state. Planters Bank has also partnered with the Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland to provide financial literacy lessons. 

In Swansea, Massachusetts, $2.9 billion-asset BayCoast Bank hosts Credit for Life Fairs in partnership with local schools. Casey Brouthers, senior vice president, chief risk officer and general counsel, is a frequent volunteer at the fairs, which expose students to real-world finances, budgeting and situations like unexpected expenses.

Brouthers, who also advocates tirelessly for community-bank friendly policies in conferences and meetings in Washington, D.C., and participates in local initiatives to reduce homelessness, is committed to joining forces with other organizations to promote financial literacy. 

“Financial education programs help individuals and families improve their financial wellness by strengthening their relationship with money,” she says.

At Town & Country Bank, Greenwell quickly recognized that working with many organizations through multiple channels was the best way to help communities to navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape, including financial fraud and scams. 

“We have partnered with local churches, and we host periodic presentations at the public library,” he says. “We worked with the local newspaper to raise awareness as well.”

Tanielle Myrie, 33

Assistant BSA Officer
Martha’s Vineyard Bank
Edgartown, Massachusetts

In 2025, Tanielle Myrie helped enhance Martha’s Vineyard Bank’s AML/fraud monitoring platform, implementing a more controlled account opening process that strengthened the bank’s BSA/AML compliance. She also volunteers with the Falmouth Volunteers in Public Schools financial literacy initiative, where she teaches young students about money management and financial responsibility.

David Greenwell, 40

CEO
Town & Country Bank and Trust Co.
Bardstown, Kentucky

Recognizing the increasing risk of real-time fraud and scams, Town & Country Bank’s David Greenwell took action to help protect his community. He launched a multimedia campaign to educate customers and local residents about the dangers of emerging fraud schemes and what to do if they became victims.

Andrew Whalen, 34

Market president, Cleveland & Ruleville
Planters Bank
Indianola, Mississippi

Planters Bank’s Andrew Whalen believes community banks play an important role in helping rural communities thrive. He recently served as the chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association’s “A Banker in Every Classroom” initiative, visiting local classrooms and teaching students about the importance of saving money and how to build credit.

Fostering engagement

Audience engagement is what turns a classroom exercise into lasting behavior change. That’s why these community bankers are finding creative ways to make financial literacy interactive and relevant. 

When partnering with the Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, Planters Bank uses role-playing exercises that give students a budget and a ledger to track their spending. The students purchase either necessities or non-essential items from different booths. 

“We conclude the program by reviewing ledgers and discussing needs versus wants and saving for the future,” says Whalen. “The teachers and school counselors really love the practical application.” 

Sympathizing and relating with customers invites engagement. Greenwell goes out of his way in presentations to emphasize that Town & Country Bank is there to help when customers run into problems. 

“Falling for a scam can be embarrassing, and we want to ensure that they have someone they can talk it through with,” he says.

BayCoast Bank has built fun and education into one of its products, the RightStart Account. Designed for children ages 6 to 17, the RightStart account offers them their own debit card and access to mobile and online banking. The program features an integrated rewards system, Learn2Earn Rewards, that children gain by completing age-appropriate financial literacy lessons. Parents have complete oversight and control of the program.

“We’ve received great feedback regarding the product’s functionality and financial education,” says Brouthers. 

These community bank leaders believe changes at the individual and domestic level can transform the wider community. Whalen emphasizes the broader impact of a better educated community. 

“When we equip individuals and families with the tools they need to build better lives,” he says, “we ensure a brighter, more prosperous future for everyone.”

Casey Brouthers, 33

Senior vice president, chief risk officer and general counsel
BayCoast Bank
Swansea, Massachusetts

At BayCoast Bank, Casey Brouthers worked to make financial education more accessible for local families by collaborating on the “RightStart Account” initiative. The account's Learn2Earn Rewards program teaches children as young as 6 about budgeting and responsibly using a debit card by using engaging activities and real-world scenarios.

Pammella Duran, 39

Vice president of client services
Quail Creek Bank
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Pammella Duran’s commitment to education shines through her leadership and expansion of Quail Creek Bank’s financial literacy program, which sponsors a financial literacy curriculum in local middle and high schools and brings bankers into the classroom to teach.

Samantha Mellott, 38

AVP/Mortgage banker
CNB Bank, Inc.
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Since joining CNB Bank, Inc. in 2020, Samantha Mellott has played an integral role in strengthening the community bank’s mortgage outreach strategy. She’s developed educational resources and led workshops and one-on-one consultations to demystify mortgage lending for first-time homebuyers. —Amanda Week

Community engagement

Going above and beyond the bank

These exceptional bankers have a strong commitment to serving and supporting their local communities through financial solutions, volunteer work and community development initiatives.

Jonathan Fish, 34

Chief banking officer and EVP
BTC Bank
Bethany, Missouri

Jonathan Fish understands the needs of BTC Bank’s rural and agricultural communities and uses the bank’s resources, his financial expertise and genuine care to ensure they are met through the bank’s strategy and messaging. He’s also actively involved in multiple local volunteer organizations, including youth-focused initiatives.

Laura Miller, 34

VP profitability manager
1st Security Bank
Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Laura Miller’s leadership style combines strong interpersonal relationships with data analytics. She recently led 1st Security Bank through the purchase of a new building, giving the community bank a foundation for future growth by analyzing the pros and cons, helping with negotiations and getting buy-in from the board and different departments.

Gloria Arroyo, 38

Chief retail officer and ISO
Lafayette State Bank
Mayo, Florida

Lafayette State Bank’s Gloria Arroyo prefers to lead by example when it comes to giving back to the community. She’s a board member and former president of the local rotary club, started a reading program at local public schools and staunchly advocates for further protections against elder abuse and other forms of consumer fraud.

Jayde Ketring, 32

Agribusiness banking manager
First Bank of Berne
Berne, Indiana

Jayde Ketring sees community banking as the cornerstone of local economies, and her commitment to this principle has paid off for First Bank of Berne. She’s facilitated collaborations with multiple local organizations, including the administration and clerking of local 4-H exhibitor auctions, boosting community engagement and the bank’s reputation locally.

Cole McClelland, 39

Vice president and senior commercial real estate relationship manager
Bankers Trust
Des Moines, Iowa

Cole McClelland believes everyone has a right to safe and affordable housing, and he works toward this as part of the Bankers Trust commercial real estate team. He also allocated almost $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for new affordable housing during his tenure as Polk County Housing Trust Fund board president.

Adam Knoll, 40

Vice president
Partners Bank of Wisconsin
Stratford, Wisconsin

Adam Knoll is a multifaceted community banker who believes in the power of long-term relationships built on trust. He’s advocated for community banking with legislators on Wisconsin Banking Association’s Capitol Day, and he founded the Partners Bank of Wisconsin’s Pay it Forward program, which gives bank employees $100 in cash to give to charitable causes of their choosing.

Michael Walton, 34

President and CEO
First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Bath
Bath, Maine

Michael Walton focuses on making customers and employees feel heard. He's helped foster a culture of volunteerism, spearheading an annual bank volunteer day every April that had over 70% employee participation in 2025, and he makes himself available to the community through his involvement in civic organizations. —Ben Wagner

Professional development

Leading by example

Nurturing talent is key to employee retention, resiliency and growth. These leaders are continuously learning—and committed to helping their teams do the same. By Roshan McArthur

In February 2025, Meghan Eckel was appointed assistant lending compliance and CRA officer at Fulton Savings Bank in Fulton, New York. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a moment of celebration. The leader of her division and her immediate boss, Julie Mazzoli, had just been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and needed to step away immediately for treatment. 

Eckel understood the urgency of the situation and jumped headfirst into her new role. She acquired eight required certifications within months, all amid the final stages of Fulton Savings Bank’s FDIC safety and soundness examination and seven mortgage lending audits.

She admits that stepping into the shoes of Mazzoli, who had been with the $488 million-asset bank for 35 years, was intimidating, but it was also something she felt prepared to do, given the community bank’s commitment to training and professional development. 

“We didn’t know what was going to happen,” says Eckel. “We didn’t know if she was coming back. So, I just stepped up, because there was nobody else that knew everything. Even at that time, I didn’t know everything that she did. But my ears were always open, [I was willing to help with anything going on in the department,] and just being part of this bank for 15 years, I knew the basics.”

Sadly, in October of that year, Mazzoli passed away. “That was another reality—that she was not coming back,” Eckel says. “We had to go through that as a team. We had to grow together and work through it together. Her personality was so strong. When I came to the loan department, she said, ‘Learn as much as you want, take courses, take webinars, but just know your job [and ask questions].’”

Eckel, now vice president, is constantly learning, not least to keep up with changing regulations. She’s also encouraging her team to do the same. She says her colleagues know their jobs very well and are all well cross-trained and ready to take over when she herself steps away from her position for a few months in the fall. 

This time, however, the departure is cause for celebration: the birth of her second child. “I don’t want only one person taking over everything I do, because I do quite a bit,” she laughs. “I’ve been training different staff members, so I can trust who I’m giving my job duties to, and I won’t have a fear of coming back to a mess!”

Meghan Eckel, 37

Vice president of lending compliance, CRA officer
Fulton Savings Bank
Fulton, New York

Hired at 23, Meghan Eckel rose from teller to vice president of lending compliance and CRA officer. She has earned eight compliance certifications while simultaneously leading her division through FDIC exams and multiple mortgage audits. She has developed bank-wide consumer lending training modules and implemented cross-training to improve succession planning within the bank.

Makayla Ciminelli, 31

Senior vice president, deputy chief credit officer
Five Star Bank
Rancho Cordova, California

Makayla Ciminelli builds talent through programs and mentorship. She founded a Credit Analyst program for recent graduates, she mentors staff, and she led Five Star Bank’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan process during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her focus is on demonstrating hands-on development, rigorous underwriting and community-focused leadership.

Michael Behl, 40

Compliance officer/IT/CFO
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Scotland, South Dakota

Michael Behl pursued being a community banker from an early age, learning from his father and grandfather, who he has since worked alongside at Farmers & Merchants State Bank, and attending ICBA seminars for certifications right out of school. He takes advantage of every opportunity to educate himself, and as a bank leader, he encourages other young bankers to do the same.

Helping leaders evolve

“Growth can come from many places,” says Karla Berry, branch manager and vice president at $780 million-asset First Option Bank in Osawatomie, Kansas. “Podcasts, peer learning, mentorship and conferences—each of these has played a meaningful role in shaping me both personally and professionally.”

That’s something Berry also shares with her team. “Modeling a continuous learning mindset and being transparent about ongoing growth in leadership or managerial roles is essential,” she says. “Creating this kind of environment helps my team feel supported, encourages development and builds trust.”

Berry also helped set up an internal development initiative called the Leadership Academy, which began this year. The yearlong program offers two distinct tracks: leadership foundations and enterprise leadership. 

“Too often, development efforts focus primarily on entry-level staff, while opportunities for leaders, along with succession planning and ongoing professional growth, are overlooked,” Berry says. “The academy was designed to address that gap by investing in individuals currently in leadership roles or identified as emerging leaders.”

Upon acceptance, participants attend four quarterly, half-day, in-person courses. They’re primarily led by internal subject-matter experts, reinforcing enterprise knowledge and leadership credibility. Groups are kept small to encourage discussion and relationship building.

“As a result of these types of initiatives, we [anticipate] increased employee engagement, confidence and empowerment; stronger employee retention; improved customer service and overall employee experience; greater branch consistency; and measurable gains in net promoter score,” says Berry.

Karla Berry, 33

Vice president, branch manager
First Option Bank
Osawatomie, Kansas

Karla Berry advances leadership development through First Option Bank’s Leadership Academy and Culture Committee. She aims to empower employees while deepening community partnerships rooted in trust, education and long-term impact. To strengthen bank culture, she created two internal awards to celebrate employees for exceptional performance, leadership and service.

Ala Ingros, 29

AVP, senior human resources representative
InFirst Bank
Indiana, Pennsylvania

Ala Ingros’s belief that people are the reason community banks exist is at the heart of her career philosophy, so she champions cross-team collaboration and community ties. She created an annual employee family event to boost camaraderie, leads Challenge Program career presentations for high school students and founded Young Entrepreneurs & Professionals of Punxsutawney.

Amanda Stramer, 39

VP of retail banking
My Kind Of Bank
Ottertail, Minnesota

Amanda Stramer strengthens My Kind Of Bank through hands-on professional development and systems leadership. As the project manager for the conversion of two acquired branches, she oversaw sensitive data migration, redesigned training and led all-staff meetings across five branches. An alum of the BankIn Minnesota Leadership Academy, she uses her expertise to mentor staff and clarify regulatory impacts.

Encouraging women leaders

In 2024, Kailey Boraas, VP trust officer at the West Fargo, North Dakota, branch of First Western Bank & Trust, cofounded the annual First Western Women in Leadership Program. Designed for women across the $2.2 billion-asset bank’s entire footprint, it’s open to all but capped at 15 women per year. 

“My goal in this program is to support leaders of every background and style and to help build an environment where everyone feels empowered to grow, contribute and lead with confidence,” says Boraas. Each year, groups meet for two days to explore aspects of effective leadership. “It has become a valuable space for leaders at all levels to ... invest in their own growth and bring fresh ideas back to their local teams.”

The First Western Women in Leadership Program covers topics like imposter syndrome, leading from any level and what it means to become a leader worth following. 

“We also spend time uncovering our own strengths and weaknesses and exploring how to put them into practice,” Boraas says. 

Although the program only held its first session in spring of 2025, Boraas is already seeing big gains at First Western Bank & Trust. “I’ve seen our training efforts translate into noticeably higher individual confidence, with team members feeling more capable and empowered in their roles,” she says. “It’s also strengthened the trust within our group, creating a more supportive and collaborative team dynamic—and it’s so fun.”

Chelsea Sack, 35

Vice president of finance
High Country Bank
Salida, Colorado

A hands-on leader, Chelsea Sack led a full overhaul of High Country Bank’s training procedures after a core conversion. She designed a competency-based curriculum, role-specific modules and cross-department shadowing that boosted engagement and banking proficiency. She consistently steps in to model leadership, reflecting her drive to serve and uplift others.

Abbey Tucker, 36

VP, senior retail officer
First National Bank of Carmi
Carmi, Illinois

Abbey Tucker rose from HR specialist to senior retail officer by designing targeted development programs and rebuilding a struggling retail division. She created cross-training between the client contact center and retail lending departments, implemented new tools and procedures, mentors staff and launched employee engagement initiatives, turning her division into a cornerstone of support for the bank and her community.

Kailey Boraas, 32

VP trust officer
First Western Bank & Trust
Minot, North Dakota

At First Western Bank & Trust, Kailey Boraas champions women in leadership and continuous learning. In 2024, she cofounded the community bank’s annual Western Women in Leadership program and is an active mentor and advocate for education.

—Bella Norcross

Technology advocacy

Adopting—and adapting to—new technology

Technology projects like core conversions and AI initiatives need the stewardship of engaged and collaborative
leaders to succeed. These 40 Under 40 honorees have been instrumental in leveling up the technical capabilities
of their community banks. By Mindy Charski

Q: How do you handle hesitancies stakeholders may have about implementing and using new technology?

Ashton Sandifer: By listening to everyone and being very empathetic. I don’t think you should only discuss things with your executive management—I think the frontline staff needs to be just as much involved. The more you can keep them involved, I won’t say it’s easy, but I just think it works better.

Luke Reiter: When we talk about our annual budget, our growth initiatives, our strategic plan for the year and even for the next three to five years, where are we going and how will we achieve that? There are a couple ways, one of which is ramping up our staff and our production in the various areas to meet it, and the other is to try to leverage technology where we can. Tech becomes an easier sell when you can present it in that way and then also show a success [from an existing investment]. 

Ashton Sandifer, 33

SVP, COO
Bank of Anguilla
Anguilla, Mississippi

Ashton Sandifer helps bring modern banking tools to Bank of Anguilla’s rural customers. As the community bank’s information technology officer and information security officer, she oversaw the successful modernization of the bank’s core transaction system and trained staff to provide improved accuracy and enhanced customer service.

Luke Reiter, 35

CFO
Granite Bank
Cold Spring, Minnesota

By leading initiatives in digital modernization, internal infrastructure and financial systems, Luke Reiter helped strengthen the bank’s growth in new markets. He developed critical internal functions for technology, compliance and quality control, replacing outsourced processes with in-house teams that are faster, clearer and easier to manage.

Cody Appell, 31

Vice president of IT and lending
Anderson State Bank
Oneida, Illinois

Cody Appell believes community banks must embrace tools that enhance—not replace—the human connection. He led an initiative to modernize Anderson State Bank’s technology infrastructure, including the core, lending and deposit platforms and cybersecurity protocols. Over the past three years, Appell has also helped grow the bank’s loan portfolio by more than 67%.

Q: Can you speak to the importance of balancing technology innovation with maintaining and growing relationships with customers? 

Cody Appell: We have an older demographic that’s used to banking “the old way.” But then we’ve got new customers, and if we want to retain new customers, we have to be able to adapt. Going back to the “old guard,” some of them use the mobile app. They love the mobile app, but they don’t always remember their login. But they know they can call and they can specifically ask for me, and that’s the personal touch. 

Reiter: Technology cannot replace the human relationships—in fact, I think the majority of our customers would be banking with a large bank if they were more concerned and focused on having the most tech-savvy application to use. We find a lot of our customer base works with us because we have that personal touch. We get them; we know them.

Ian Kilby, 38

EVP, risk and innovation director
National Capital Bank
Washington, District of Columbia

Ian Kilby founded and chairs National Capital Bank’s innovation committee, which keeps the community bank up to date on the latest technology trends, evaluates vendors and identifies possible solutions to complex problems. He led the rollout of Microsoft Copilot across the bank and organized an AI workshop for bank leadership to explore practical use cases.

Alissa Sandholm, 37

VP Marketing
Star Bank
Maple Lake, Minnesota

Alissa Sandholm is committed to evolving Star Bank alongside the ever-changing financial landscape. She has established strategic marketing and digital initiatives that expand access to the bank's services, including platforms for customers to open accounts and apply for loans online. With AI becoming increasingly important, she also focuses on identifying everyday solutions that support customers and employees.

Q: How are you approaching AI?

Ian Kilby: Last year, we put into place a [generative] AI policy at the bank so that we had some initial sort of guardrails in place for us to start exploring [Microsoft] Copilot. We established a Copilot testing group that was spearheaded by myself but had many different representatives of other areas in the bank—IT, lending, finance—so we could get a grasp of what it can do. 

We’ve developed a few tools that have helped different areas of the bank. It’s been more heavily on the compliance side, but also vendor management and some other due diligence. Now we’re at a point where we’ve created agents and we’re ready to roll out those agents bankwide. We want to start exploring beyond Copilot. We’ve seen some really amazing functionality from Claude, ChatGPT and [Google] Gemini.  

Reiter: For us, the starting place was to develop our strategy around AI and develop a committee that can form around it so we can go about this as pragmatic as you can while also feeling somewhat rushed. We have an enterprise ChatGPT account, [and] our employees need to complete training [and] acknowledge acceptable use specific to AI [before] they’re allowed to have access … Sometimes the best ideas come from your wire processor of how they can create some automation in their flow, or from a closer on the mortgage department side that says, “Hey, we frequently have these questions that come up. We can build a [chatbot] around it to answer that for the rest of the folks,” and they spearhead that mission.

Brent Womack, 38

SVP
Legacy Bank
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Brent Womack is one of Legacy Bank’s primary subject matter experts during the launch and development of any new software that the bank introduces. He’s also active in advocacy work, traveling to Washington, D.C., each year to meet with legislators on behalf of the industry, all while managing and growing his commercial loan portfolio.

John Kaprelian, 39

Retail innovation and strategy
Forward Bank
Marshfield, Wisconsin

John Kaprelian works closely with retail leaders and operations teams to simplify account opening, refine service conversations and expand access through tools like video tellers and self-service options. His approach to technology is iterative: He pilots changes, measures what works and scales improvements that stick. He also led the installation of business boxes in the bank’s lobbies that allow customers to pick up important documents, cash or coin orders 24/7. —Faith Vue

Q: What advice can you share about hiring technology partners?

Kilby: I would never recommend being the first in when it comes to a vendor. Be a fast follower, but don’t let yourself be the test case, just so you know [the tech’s] been proven and the vendor is capable of delivering what they promise. Beyond that, I think just all the data security pieces—making sure that’s in place.

Sandifer: Reach out to others. I’m a member of several [online] user groups, and it’s really nice, especially if you’re a member of a user group that uses the same products you use, core platforms and things like that. Getting some honest reviews is very nice. 

Q: Can anyone at a bank become a technology advocate?

Appell: I’m kind of living proof that anybody can be [a tech advocate], because I don’t have a background in technology. Obviously, technology does continue to grow within a business, and you just have to teach people to not be afraid of it, embrace what it is and to learn whatever it is you’re using.

Efficiency experts

All eyes on efficiency

These innovative leaders have evaluated and improved processes at their banks to increase efficiency through employee training, customer onboarding, loan underwriting, technology and more.

Melissa Juarez, 30

Vice president, retail operations officer
Pioneer Bank
Roswell, New Mexico

At Pioneer Bank, Melissa Juarez’s servant-leader mindset helps her develop trusting relationships with employees. She played a key role in the creation and implementation of a teller and customer service incentive program designed to recognize employee performance, increase engagement and foster an improved and collaborative team environment.

Amanda Baez, 32

AVP-lead BSA and security analyst (CBAP and CCBSO)
Northfield Bank
Woodbridge, New Jersey

As a dual member of Northfield Bank’s BSA and security/fraud departments, Amanda Baez uses her cross-certification and training to more efficiently investigate and report fraud, as well as adapt to the latest fraud threats.

Miranda Derveloy, 35

VP, deposit enrichment officer
First Guaranty Bank
Hammond, Louisiana

First Guaranty Bank’s Miranda Derveloy is a leader who looks to instill confidence in her coworkers. She led the redesign of her bank’s deposit-focused training program, aligning content with current procedures and incorporating real-world scenarios to give staff the tools to succeed in their roles and develop meaningful customer relationships.

Holly Johnson, 29

Chief financial officer
Bank Plus
Estherville, Iowa

At Bank Plus, Holly Johnson works to provide local solutions for local problems. She’s led efforts to streamline the community bank’s account-opening process. She also overhauled the bank’s social media presence, increasing brand awareness and trust while acting as a bridge between the bank and the community.

Amanda Maez, 36

Commercial loan officer
San Luis Valley Federal Bank
Alamosa, Colorado

Amanda Maez is committed to delivering top-notch service at San Luis Valley Federal Bank. Recognizing the importance of consistent follow-ups in maintaining a clean loan portfolio, she spearheaded the research, development and application of a tickler and imaging system for commercial loan borrowers. This allows the bank to track borrower financials and insurance in a timely fashion.

Randy Bruck, 37

Vice president and branch manager
Farmers Trust & Savings Bank
Earling, Iowa

Farmers Trust & Savings Bank’s Randy Bruck believes community banks should be an active partner in the life of their communities. He oversaw the alignment of the bank’s three branches into a single unified organization, standardizing and establishing consistency in operations across all branches and setting the bank up for sustainable future growth. —Ben Wagner

Customer Service Stars

A people-first approach to banking

These 40 Under 40 honorees were recognized for their commitment to building strong relationships with customers in the way only community bankers can.

Redmond Beam, 37

Senior vice president and senior business development officer
Harford Bank
Aberdeen, Maryland

Redmond Beam played a key role in Harford Bank’s expansion into Baltimore County in 2025. He focused on building a sustainable commercial banking presence in the community instead of prioritizing short-term growth metrics. He positioned the bank as a partner in the community by cultivating relationships with small and mid-sized local businesses and ensuring customers benefit from customized structures and support.

Matt Baca, 39

Senior vice president, commercial lending manager
Plumas Bank
Reno, Nevada

Matt Baca is a member of Plumas Bank’s cross-departmental leadership team, which is tasked with implementing new systems and processes for the bank’s small business and commercial lending divisions. He has daily conversations with bank leadership and business owners about where small adjustments in the bank’s processes could make a meaningful difference for both lenders and clients.

Nick Moffenbier, 30

Vice president, ag banking
Reliabank
Estelline, South Dakota

Nick Moffenbier has a deep understanding of government ag programs and uses this knowledge to serve Reliabank’s ag customers and reach the next generation of farm owners. He has a passion for agriculture and can explain complex government programs clearly while also simplifying the entire process, making it more approachable for borrowers.

Kyle Hofstetter, 37

Chief credit officer
Town & Country Bank
Salem, Missouri

With his deep ties to local families and the challenges they face, Kyle Hofstetter identifies lending opportunities that other banks using automated models might miss. When reviewing a loan application, he looks at not just credit score but also the person and potential impact their business could have on the community.

Chasse Rehwinkel, 39

President
Devon Bank
Chicago

Chasse Rehwinkel emphasizes listening to customers and making decisions based on local needs. As part of his efforts to make Devon Bank a true community partner, he spearheaded its political and nonprofit account initiative, including hosting a grant-writing seminar for nonprofits in the area that was open to both customers and noncustomers. —Allie Johnson

Congratulations to ICBA’s 40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders for 2026!

FIS is thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year’s ICBA 40 Under 40 Community Bank Leaders. Your visionary leadership, commitment to innovation and dedication to your communities is shaping the future of community banking.

Community banks are the heartbeat of local economies, and this recognition is a testament to your unwavering leadership to advance the mission of community banks. We’re proud to honor all the ICBA 40 under 40 award recipients for your commitment to new technologies, employee engagement, and customer education within community banking. 

At FIS, we share your passion for delivering excellence in community banking. For more than 50 years, we’ve worked to empower financial institutions by harnessing cutting-edge technology and deep financial expertise. We believe that when community banks have the right tools, they can create seamless, secure, and innovative experiences that delight their customers while fostering growth and trust.

Here’s how we’re committed to supporting community bankers like you:

• Comprehensive solutions that address everything from compliance and analytics to core banking and payment processing.
• Secure, scalable technology designed to ensure smooth and safe operations as your institution expands.
• Innovative customer experience tools that help you meet the rising expectations of you customers.
• Actionable insights powered by advanced analytics, enabling data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency and uncover new opportunities.
• Dedicated partnerships built on collaboration, with personalized guidance to support long-term success.

As we celebrate the exceptional leaders recognized through ICBA’s 40 Under 40 awards, FIS is honored to partner with you and stands ready to help shape the future of community banking through technology and innovation. Our solutions empower you to serve your customers better, faster, and more securely—all while equipping your employees with the tools and resources they need to excel and enjoy a fulfilling workplace experience.

Congratulations on this well-earned recognition—you are not only shaping the future of community banking; you’re redefining what it means to be a great place to work.

Connect with FIS to explore how we can partner with you to shape the future of community banking. fisglobal.com