Illinois Bankers on the Move!

Bloomington, MN -- UNITED BANKERS BANK

Dwight Larsen, President and CEO of United Bankers’ Bank (UBB) is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Ferrell, CRCM, CAMS, and Sandy Panella, CRCM, to the UBB Compliance Services Team.

Katie Ferrell

Katie Ferrell comes to UBB with nearly 20 years of experience supporting financial institutions through regulatory compliance, risk management, audit, and retail operations and lending. A graduate of Barret Graduate School of Banking with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, Katie maintains CRCM, CAMS, and NCCO certifications.

Sandy Panella

Sandy Panella has been in the community banking industry for almost 20 years. She has her CRCM certification from American Bankers Association and is a graduate of Robert M. Perry School of Banking and of Robert M. Perry School of Lending through Central Michigan University.

Rachelle Nelson

Dean Miller, Chairperson of United Bankers’ Bancorporation, Inc., is pleased to announce the election of Rachelle Nelson to the United Bankers’ Bancorporation, Inc. (UBBI) and United Bankers’ Bank (UBB) Boards of Directors. Rachelle Nelson is the President and CEO of the First National Bank of Milaca since January 2021 and has served on their Board of Directors since 2020. She is the chair of the monthly executive board meeting and sits on officer’s credit, senior management, strategic planning, and ALCO Funds management committees at FNB Milaca. Rachelle is a 2019 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. An active member of the Minnesota Bankers Association, she currently serves on their Next Generation Task Force committee.

Carrollton -- CARROLLTON BANK

Steve Thompson, regional president of Carrollton Bank in Alton, has been named the 2022 auxiliary board chair for the Southwest Illinois Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

He succeeds Gireesh Gupchup, director for university-community initiatives and professor of pharmacy at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, who has held the chair position since 2020.

Thompson has more than 35 years of banking and financial experience. He began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick and went on to operate his own business as a consultant and advisor to community banks. In the following years, he has held a variety of leadership roles such as market president at CNB Bank & Trust, chief financial officer at Liberty Bank, and regional president and commercial loan officer at Carrollton Bank.

Thompson is a longtime supporter and board member of United Way’s Southwest Illinois Division and is on the Executive Committee of United Way of Greater St. Louis. He also currently serves as vice-chairman of Alton Memorial Hospital, treasurer of Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation, district chairman of the Piasa Bird District, Greater St. Louis Area Council (Boy Scouts of America), and is a board member of the Alton- Godfrey Rotary Club and the Village of Godfrey Park and Recreation. In addition, he is a member of North Alton Godfrey Business Council, Riverbend Growth Association, and Southern Illinois Employer’s Association.

Effingham -- Midland States Bank

Midland States Bank is excited to announce Jayne Hladio has joined as President of Midland Wealth Management and Dena Steele has been promoted to Director of Marketing. As Midland Wealth Management President, Hladio will oversee the group of over 90 professionals and provide strategic leadership, planning, and executive management to achieve the group’s overall objectives. Midland’s wealth service offerings include Investment and Advisory, Trust Administration, and Retirement Plans. Hladio’s background boasts over 25 years of significant financial services experience with accomplishments in digital program implementation, accelerated investment revenue, and business model transformation. Her prior roles include SVP for U.S. Bank’s National Wealth Management Group, SVP and Director of Consumer, Investment, and Business Banking for Charter One Bank, and SVP New Market & De Novo Sales Strategy for Fifth Third Bank.

Jayne Hladio

Hladio earned her MBA and Management Consulting Certification from Benedictine University, and Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa. She will be the bank’s first female President of Wealth Management.

Dena Steele

As Director of Marketing, Steele is responsible for driving the bank’s overall marketing program including strategic development, branding, and lead generation to support business growth. She has over 25 years of marketing experience, nearly 20 of which are exclusive to bank marketing. Previously at Midland, Steele served as Senior Marketing Manager with a specialization in digital products, commercial services, and commercial lending. She also served as the Director of Marketing and e-Channel Services for Centrue Bank, which Midland acquired in 2017. Steele earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Illinois University.

Forreston -- Solutions Bank

Congratulations to Drew Broge who was promoted to Assistant Vice President. Drew also celebrated a milestone anniversary on May 22 nd celebrating five years with Solutions Bank. Broge is a student of the Illinois Bankers Association’s Future Leaders Alliance Class of 2023.

Drew Broge

Highland Park -- First Bank Chicago

First Bank Chicago, a Division of First Bank of Highland Park, is a new division that will encompass the existing Middle Market Banking team that already serves the Chicagoland market. First Bank Chicago has several new promotions to announce.

Jodie Sugar

Jodi Sugar to Senior VP/Middle Market Banking. She is responsible for supporting the bank’s expansion strategy within the Chicago Middle Market.

Christina Bavery

Welcome, Christina Bavery as Senior VP, Managing Director, Commercial Banking. Based in the Westchester office, she will support the expansion strategy in the Chicago marketplace, while growing and developing First Bank’s Commercial Real Estate & Middle Market portfolios. Christina brings 20+ years of commercial banking expertise and has held senior leadership roles with Fifth Third Bank & MB Financial Bank.

Andy Kocur

Andy Kocur has been promoted to Vice President, Middle Market Banking. Andy is responsible for supporting the expansion strategy in the Chicagoland marketplace by focusing on developing and managing client relationships within the Middle- Market portfolio. Andy has 14 years of financial expertise. He joined the First Bank team in 2017 and previously worked with Associated Bank.

William McGowan

Welcome, William McGowan Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Middle Market Banking. He will be managing a team of seasoned bankers in the middle market division while supporting the bank’s expansion strategy to continue the growth of the commercial banking line of business. Bill and his team will be responsible for building and developing relationships throughout the Chicagoland market. His extensive background includes over 30 years of banking experience, and he has held senior leadership roles with MB Financial Bank and most recently TCF Bank.

Tom Neylon

Welcome, Tom Neylon Senior Vice President, Middle Market Banking. Tom will support the bank’s expansion strategy in the Chicago marketplace, including the southwest suburbs, while developing and growing the commercial banking portfolio. His extensive background includes 30+ years of banking expertise and he has held senior leadership roles with First Midwest Bank and Countryside Bank (Wintrust).

Marcela Melendez Perez

Marcela Melendez Perez has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Lease Finance. In her new role, Marcela leads an all-star team of lending, leasing, and banking experts. This dynamic team is responsible for supporting the expansion strategy as they further build and develop corporate relationships throughout the United States. Marcela’s extensive background includes over twenty-five years of banking and leasing experience, and she has held senior leadership roles at LaSalle Solutions. Marcela joined the First Bank team in 2019 and was most recently employed with LaSalle Solutions.

Lesley Prestegaard

Lesley Prestegaard has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Treasury Management Advisor. Lesley is responsible for supporting our growth strategy by enhancing client relationships while delivering a full suite of Treasury Management banking solutions. Lesley brings 20 years of banking expertise and was with MB Financial until 2019.

Maya Rynerson

Welcome, Maya Rynerson as Vice President, Private Banking Advisor. She is responsible for supporting the expansion efforts in the Chicagoland marketplace by advising high-net-worth clients and family offices on cash management strategies. Maya and her team take a concierge approach to deliver a full suite of top-tier Private Banking solutions to individuals and families. Maya recently came to the bank from PNC Private Bank.

Ann Vogt

Welcome Ann Vogt (Schimmel) VP, Treasury Management Advisor. Based in the Westchester office, she is responsible for supporting the expansion strategy in the Chicago market by working with commercial & public funds clients, helping them mitigate fraud, and enhancing relationships while delivering a full suite of Treasury Management banking solutions. Ann brings 25+ years of banking expertise & comes from Byline Bank.

Ewa Ziarnik

Welcome, Ewa Ziarnik Assistant Vice President, Treasury Solutions Manager. Ewa is responsible for supporting the growth strategy by enhancing client relationships while maintaining the overall quality of the suite of Treasury Management and Private Banking solutions. Ewa brings over 15 years of banking expertise and was most recently with Fifth Third Bank.

Galesburg -- F&M Bank

Lori Hedden announced her retirement from F&M Bank on June 1, 2022. This day marks her 45th anniversary. Lori joined F&M Bank in 1977 as a teller and also worked in the Proof Department. She then joined the Trust Department in 1982 as a Trust Administrator. She has held the position of Assistant Vice President and then as Vice President and Trust Officer. Lori is a graduate of the Illinois Bankers Trust and Investment School.

As a lifelong resident of Galesburg, Lori was a member of the Western Illinois Estate and Financial Planners Forum where she served as Treasurer for 10 years and also served on the Allocations Committee for United Way of Knox County.

In retirement, Lori is looking forward to spending time with her son’s family, including her grandchildren, and traveling often to visit her daughter in New Jersey. She also plans to spend more time with her husband riding their motorcycle.

The F&M Bank family wishes Lori a long and happy retirement and thanks her for her years of dedication and service.

Ottawa -- OSB Community Bank

Jim Ferrero

Jim Ferrero retired from the Board of Directors of OSB Community Bank (formerly Ottawa Savings Bank) on May 18, 2022. Jim began his service to OSB in January 2000, and has provided invaluable guidance and leadership to the bank for over twenty-two years. Jim retired from the LaSalle County Housing Authority at the end of 2005. He also is the former owner and president of Herman’s Liquors in Ottawa. As a life-long resident of Ottawa, Jim has been actively involved in various community organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and has extensive ties to the area. Jim and his wife Liz currently reside in Ottawa, and they have one daughter, Kathleen.

Mattoon -- First Mid Bank & Trust

Austin Hernandez

First Mid Bank & Trust is pleased to welcome Austin Hernandez as their new Mortgage Loan Officer serving Altamont, Effingham, Neoga, and the surrounding communities. Hernandez began his banking career in 2014 and recently joined the First Mid mortgage team to continue his passion for assisting others in achieving their goal of homeownership. He graduated from Neoga High School, received his Associate Degree in Business Administration from Lake Land College, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Eastern Illinois University. Hernandez has been a lifelong resident of Coles County, where he still resides with his wife, Alexa. He is a member of the Mattoon Emerging Leaders, YBNext, and assists with Special Olympics.