The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) is pleased to announce the completion of its Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers® and the graduation of the participants in its sixth cohort.

Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers® (EDI) participants are up-and-coming C-level executives whose work efforts influence the future direction of their banks. EDI equips these community bank leaders for success with extensive leadership and bank management training, including 10-plus hours of individual executive coaching.

Twelve community bankers graduated from the 19-month program, which concluded Wednesday, April 21. Congratulations to (pictured above L to R):

Front row-
  • Evelyn Franco, Frontier Bank of Texas, Austin, TX
  • Brittanie Sharp, Converse County Bank, Douglas, WY
  • Shannon M. Damron, Tri-County Trust Co., Glasgow, MO
  • Dwight D. Faulkner, Bank of the Flint Hills, Wamego, KS
  • Brian M. Weldon, First Western Trust, Denver, CO
  • James E. Randall, Valley State Bank, Garden City, KS
Back row-
  • James L. Smith, FMS Bank, Windsor, CO
  • Andrew M. Krab, Adams Bank & Trust, Ogallala, NE
  • Joseph A. O’Brien, First Western Trust, Denver, CO
  • Stephen C. Clements, Citizens First Bank, Clinton, IA
  • Joe Close, Country Club Bank, Kansas City, MO
  • Travis R. Simpson, Northwest Bank, West Des Moines, IA

GSBC will welcome back the 11 members of the seventh cohort of EDI participants in October 2021 and is currently enrolling for a new cohort to begin at that time.

“EDI is filling a crucial void in banking education by offering an avenue for banks to prepare for succession with peace of mind that the futures of their organizations are in good hands,” said GSBC President Tim Koch. “It is reassuring to see these bankers’ passion for the industry, their communities and their customers. GSBC is proud to have been a part of their development.”