Pub. 7 2016 Issue 2

www.wvbankers.org 6 West Virginia Banker A Message from the President & CEO By Joe Ellison Honoring the Past Embracing the Future T his is my last article for the West Virginia Banker Magazine and I’m certain that many of you will be reading it as we celebrate the 125th Anniversary Convention of WVBA at The Greenbrier. It’s been my privilege to be part of the banking and financial services industry in our state for nearly 40 years, so I’m particularly proud that the theme of my final convention as your Association CEO is “Honoring the Past Embracing the Future.” That’s what my final mission is for WVBA— to transition into a new era of leadership that leads to a positive future for WVBA and West Virginia. When I first announced my retirement plans, July of 2016 seemed like a long way off. But now, that announcement seems like only yesterday, just as it seems like it was only a few “yesterdays” ago when Richard Adams offered me the chance to become a banker at Parkersburg National Bank. Even though PNB was one of the state’s leading banks, the laws of those days did not even permit branching, as hard as that may be to imagine in a day when PNB has evolved to become United and now operates a multibillion finan- cial services network across several states. My career as an actual banker spanned nearly 30 years and took me to the Peoples Bank of Point Pleasant and then City National after an acquisition, to The Bank of Greenville and First Community Bank, followed by an opportunity to be involved with the start-up of First Bank of Charleston in 2003, the last de novo bank chartered in the state. Along the way, I had the chance to become involved with the West Virginia Bankers Association and later was asked to join the WVBA Board of Directors before ultimately being elected as an officer and then as chairman of the board. As I look back at my blessed career, I am reminded that I have largely been successful because of the people around me, my wife included. And I have been truly blessed. When I look through our convention pro- gram and see the list of 125 names that have had the honor of serving as the chairmen of WVBA, it is a moving and humbling experi- ence for me to think that I served in the same capacity as the leaders of our state’s industry and economy. Many of these names are now lost to history but they all deserve our highest honors and thanks for their service to our profession and our state for more than a century. While serving as WVBA chairman was certainly one of the highlights of my career, little did I know that the highest honors were still ahead when I was named as the “Bank- er of the Year” by my peers in 2005 before receiving an even higher honor when I was appointed as President and CEO of your Association that same year. That started an 11 year run representing my profession through WVBA and an opportunity to work with the finest and most committed banking leaders and professional Association staff it is possible to imagine. I look back fondly at the list of Chairmen I have served with and our current officers and board members and realize that I developed a whole new appreciation for the job they do every day while still having the time to volunteer for work on behalf of the Associa- tion. I have truly appreciated their friendship, guidance and encouragement. I could not end without giving my heartfelt thanks to the greatest staff anyone could ever hope for. Debbie, Donna, Diane and Terri, I salute you and thank you for everything you have done to support me and for devoting yourself every day to make WVBA what it is today—one of the most respected trade asso- ciations in the state. And now we embrace the future. Sally Cline joined WVBA as my successor, already being one of the most respected figures in the West Virginia banking and financial services industry. The board enthu- siastically and immediately identified Sally as the best person to lead WVBA into the future. Sally demonstrated her leadership skills during a long career in state government and will undoubtedly inspire our members and staff to even higher heights of success over many years to come. I wish her all the best. Finally, allowme to say a personal thank you to my wonderful wife Dianna, who has always been there and followed me all around the state with unwavering support for almost 31 years. As I look back at my blessed career, I am reminded that I have largely been successful because of the people around me, my wife included. And I have been truly blessed. Thank you to everyone and “Thanks for the Memories.” n