Pub. 1 2010 Issue 2

summer 2010 5 A M ESSAGE FROM THE P RESIDENT AND CEO By Joe L. Ellison J ust the other day I was talking to a colleague and I asked him, “Remember when this was fun?” We both laughed and admitted that it was a distant memory, but one we remembered fondly. The other thing we agreed on was that although it’s hard to describe banking as ”fun” these days, we both still love what we do and the people we work for and with. My guess is that sums up how many of you feel these days. As I have trav- eled around the state these past few months, I cannot tell you how many times I heard bankers say “This just isn’t fun anymore.” As you read this, more than 300 bank- ers and associate members will be packing up to attend the West Virginia Bankers Association 117th Annual Convention at the world famous Greenbrier Resort. What could be more fun than spending three days at “America’s Resort?” Fun and Banking As WVBA Chairman Charles Maddy states in his Chairman’s Message, “…we are committed to producing a positive experience and providing solid information for all Convention attendees. We are pleased to have Congresswomen Shelley Moore Capito, member of the House Financial Services Committee; ABA Chair-elect Steve Wil- son; Sally Green, COO Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond; Lee Wetherington, Jack Henry and Associates; motivational speaker Butch Lumpkin; and Ed Sei- fried, Professor of Economics, LaFayette College. The Association works very hard to provide a convention program that will allow you to take back valuable information to your bank. And, as always, WVBA Convention attendees will have ample opportunities for relaxation and interaction with your professional colleagues during our won- derful evening dining and entertainment events. This fantastic line-up of pro- Let’s take the full measure of enjoyment and fun from our jobs once more. grams and events would not be possible without strong financial support from our sponsors and associate members. One of our prime goals for this year’s WVBA Convention is to motivate our bankers to face the monumental challenges facing our industry so that governmental leaders and our custom- ers can again realize that bankers are committed to a greater good. It is an unfortunate reality that bankers must again prove themselves to be positive members of our communities but since that is indeed the case, let’s rise to the occasion once more and turn these negative realities around and then take the full measure of enjoyment and fun from our jobs once more. Q The other day I was talking to a colleague and I asked him, “Remember when this was fun?” We both laughed and admitted that it was a distant memory. Although it’s hard to describe banking as “fun” these days, we still love what we do and the people we work for and with.