Updates Alumi Business

United Prairie Bank

COB alum takes leadership position at United Prairie Bank, reflects on family history and future vision

Melanie VanRoekel, a 1995 Accounting graduate, was named board chair of United Prairie Bank in 2021, taking over the position from Stuart J. Sneer, a 1985 Finance major, upon his retirement. VanRoekel has served on the board since 2019.

Sneer led the board starting in 2006, taking over for his father and company founder James G. Sneer who began the bank in 1973. VanRoekel is the first non-family member to take the leadership position, and Sneer said those family values and community focus are at the core of their business.

“When interviewing VanRoekel for United Prairie’s board chair position, it was important that I knew she understood the particular nuances of the role. Having worked for two other large companies in a somewhat similar role, it became very evident she does understand this unique dynamic very well,” Sneer said.

Vetter Stone

member and COB alum as president.

Ben Kaus, a 2006 institutional finance graduate, was named president of Vetter Stone Company and subsidiary Alabama Stone Company in 2020. Kaus has been with the company since 2014.

“Using her education, past career experience and ability to lead people has proven to be very effective. Moving the needle of forward progress isn’t always easy, and yet she has.”

“I love working with their family. We have the third generation of Sneers coming through the bank now,” VanRoekel said. “I enjoy helping these families see how they can maximize their returns and plans for the future.”

Sneer said VanRoekel’s leadership style is defined with “professionalism, diplomacy and poise.”

“Her forward thinking is carefully thought out and clearly delivered,” he said. “Her emphasis on a goal-oriented teamwork style of leading has proven to be quite robust. As the owner I feel privileged to have Melanie in the chair’s role leading United Prairie into the future.”

Sneer has remained on the board since VanRoekel took over as chair. Scott Bradley is president/CEO of United Prairie Bank (the title sponsor of Integrated Business Experience), having joined the bank in 1991.

Kaus is just the fourth president in the company’s history and the first non-family officer and leader since it was founded in 1954. Previous leadership has been within the Vetter family: Paul J. Vetter Sr., Howard Vetter, and Ron Vetter. Ron Vetter has remained in his role as CEO and took on the role of chairman of the board.

“It was definitely unique for us. It had been 64 years with only having family members leading the company, and it took a lot of thought and care in the transition,” Ron Vetter said. “But it’s been a really good change for the company and proves you don’t have to have a certain last name to get to the top position in the company.”