Western Banker July/August 2022

A A Look Back with Immediate Past Chair of the Board, James Beckwith

s I look back on my year of service as 2021 Chair of Western Bankers Board of Directors, I thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you during a particularly challenging time for financial in stitutions. In May 2021, we continued to navigate the global pandemic and its impact on the health and safety of our employees, shareholders and the communities we serve. We were also responsible for ensuring the stability of our respective organizations’ financial performance. I know Five Star Bank was the benefactor of the many meaningful relationships I had the opportunity to create through Western Bankers. As Board Chair, my goal was to meet with as many of you, in-person, as possible. In so doing, I enjoyed advo cating on behalf of the association and our industry and creating a forum for learning, networking and exchang ing ideas. I knew the intangible benefit of sharing ideas with bankers across the Western United States would be immeasurably valuable and impactful. Today, I can say this has certainly been the case. Throughout 2021, I participated in numerous discussions regarding the implementation of organizational policy

and how to best serve customers. We also discussed how to adapt to changing technologies and manage the regu latory environment. Western Bankers offered clarity on numerous topics and served as a bastion of information and support. As Board Chair, I hope I was successful in bringing awareness to the association’s solutions-driven programming. I strongly believe that by working together, we elevate the banking profession while perfecting our craft. I also be lieve Western Bankers will provide its members the tools, support and guidance they need, just as it has done for me. As I pass the baton of Board Chair, I encourage you to maximize your membership, get connected and share your expertise with your peers. I am confident Western Bankers will help all of us move into the future informed, focused, prepared and connected.

Best, James Beckwith Western Bankers Immediate Past Board Chair President & CEO, Five Star Bank

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