Bill DeFries,

CEO of Copp Integrated Systems, was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization, and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis.

DeFries, a recognized leader in the small-business community, joins the NSBA Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interests of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

A former U.S. Marine and veteran-owned small business operator and owner of two other businesses, DeFries has more than 35 years of leadership and job creation experience. A longtime member of the Centerville Noon Optimist and Dayton Rotary Club, DeFries volunteers his time to multiple community organizations, including mentoring veterans in the Veterans Treatment Court in Montgomery County.

For more on the NSBA Leadership Council, please visit www.nsba.biz/leadershipcouncil.

Commerce Bank has announced that

has joined the company’s Cincinnati office and will be responsible for serving the banking needs of healthcare organizations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. Lipowicz will provide comprehensive banking services to the healthcare industry including payment, credit and equipment financing solutions.

Commerce Bank, a $25.3 billion Missouri-based, regional bank, has had a dedicated healthcare banking division for more than 25 years. Throughout the company’s 152-year history, Commerce has been involved in virtually every sector of the healthcare community.

It has established long-standing relationships and provided financial solutions for medical practices, hospital systems, senior living facilities, ancillary services, laboratories and research and development organizations.

Lipowicz brings more than 30 years of banking experience, 15 of which have been spent serving healthcare clients, to Commerce. She received her bachelor of science degree in finance from University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, and is a Certified Treasury Professional.

Susan Lipowicz