OBA installs Shawnee banker as chair; honors bankers at annual convention

Bryan Cain, president and CEO of Sovereign Bank, in Shawnee, was inducted as chair of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 126th Convention on May 10 at the Embassy Suites in Norman.

Cain has been with the bank since 2020, previously holding a similar position with Security State Bank, in Wewoka, since 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University.

Steve Bagwell, president and CEO of Vision Bank, in Ada, was elected as first vice chair of the association. He will move into the vice chair’s seat (currently occupied by Alicia Wade, president and COO of Valliance Bank, in Oklahoma City) next year and into the chair’s spot in 2025.

In other convention business, the OBA membership elected bankers to six seats on the association’s board of directors. The new directors, who will serve three-year board terms, are:

Nancy Cantú, Bank of Commerce, Duncan.

Bill Fanning, Stock Exchange Bank, Woodward

Jeff Merwin, Firstar Bank, Tulsa Beth Wright, Shamrock Bank, Coalgate

Steve Hart, First Fidelity Bank, Oklahoma City

Sean Kouplen, Regent Bank, Tulsa

Nine board directors who completed their terms were recognized for their years of service. Honored were:

Andrea Bendele, Exchange Bank, Stillwater.

Bert Davison, First United Bank, Durant.

Tony Shinn, Bank of America, Oklahoma City.

Dawne Stafford, Security Bank, Tulsa.

Billy Taylor, Armstrong Bank, Muskogee.

Rick Walker, Liberty National Bank, Lawton.

Sandy Werner, First National Bank, Elk City.

Jerold Phillips, Citizens Bank & Trust, Ardmore

Kelli Seacat, The Stock Exchange Bank, Woodward.

The OBA also honored banks and bankers who have committed their time and effort to the state’s banking industry during the Chair’s Brunch held at the convention. Those recognized are listed below.

50-YEAR-CLUB

Sixteen longtime bankers were inducted into the OBA’s 50-Year-Club. These individuals have devoted 50 years or more of their lives to their banking careers. Inductees include: Bruce Boehs, Farmers & Merchants National Bank, Fairview.

Linda Dickerson, Exchange Bank, Stillwater.

Gary Forbis, First United Bank, Durant.

Phyllis Ford, Quail Creek Bank, Oklahoma City.

John Frank, First United Bank, Durant.

Connie Massey, Security State Bank, Wewoka.

Bob McCormack, McCormack & Associates, Duncan.

Margaret Medley, Valliance Bank, Oklahoma City.

Jan Miller, Bank of Commerce, Chelsea.

Jean Pearson, Farmers State Bank, Quinton.

Cheryl Ritterskamp, FNB Community Bank, Midwest City.

Shirley Russell, Farmers State Bank, Quinton.

Kas Stewart, The Bankers Bank, Oklahoma City.

Lee Symcox, First Fidelity Bank, Oklahoma City.

Gary Weyl, Blue Sky Bank, Pawhuska.

David White, Mabrey Bank, Muskogee.

SECOND BOARD CHAIRS

Five bankers were honored for their service as chairpersons of various OBA school boards. Honored were:

Carol Fehrle, Quail Creek Bank, Oklahoma City – Basic Banking & Intermediate Schools;

Mark Brace, BancFirst, Lawton — Commercial Lending School;

Tracy Stine, Great Plains Bank, Woodward — Consumer Lending School;

Kathryn Ivey, Shamrock Bank, N.A., Coalgate — Compliance School;

Melissa Turner, Valliance Bank, Oklahoma City — Operations School.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Three bankers were honored for their service as chairpersons of the committees and boards that drive the OBA’s programs. These individuals have devoted considerable time and effort to ensure a quality trade association. Honored were:

Bill Fanning, The Stock Exchange Bank, Woodward – Agriculture Committee.

Bryan Cain, Sovereign Bank, Shawnee – Government Relations Council.

Lori Elms — Women In Banking Committee.