Washington, D.C. (June 22, 2023) — ICBA Services Network, the business-services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), today announced the election of Robert Barnes, president and CEO of Priority One Bank in Magee, Miss.; Ruth Christopher, secretary of Amador Bancshares Inc. in Las Cruses, N.M.; and Doug Ouellette, chief community banking officer of Mercantile Bank in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., to its board of directors.

“We are privileged to add these respected and experienced community bankers to our distinguished board and welcome their input as we source the solutions of tomorrow,” ICBA Services Network Chief Operating Officer Kevin Tweddle said. “These community leaders bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table, which will be invaluable in our endeavors to meet the evolving needs of community banks and the customers and communities they serve.”

As chairman of ICBA’s Consumer Financial Services Committee, Barnes serves on the ICBA Federal Delegate Board and ICBA Policy Development Committee. Christopher is chairman of ICBA Bancard, the payment-services subsidiary of ICBA, and serves as vice chairman of the Bank Innovation and Solutions Committee. Ouellette is an appointed delegate for the ICBA Federal Delegate Board and serves on the Large Community Bank Council.

Serving on the ICBA Services Network board of directors with Barnes, Christopher and Ouellette are Thomas Bates, president and CEO of Legends Bank in Clarksville, Tenn.; Alice Frazier, president and CEO of Bank of Charles Town, W.Va.; Jack Hartings, chairman of The Peoples Bank Co. in Coldwater, Ohio; Scott McComb, CEO and chairman of Heartland Bank in Whitehall, Ohio; Teresa Taylor, executive director of Independent Banks of South Carolina in Chapin, S.C.; William West, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Banking Co. in Tampa, Fla.; and Noah Wilcox, president, CEO, and chairman of the board of Grand Rapids State Bank in Grand Rapids, Minn.

Learn more about ICBA and its subsidiaries at www.icba.org.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.

With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding $5.8 trillion in assets, $4.8 trillion in deposits, and $3.8 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers' dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA's website at www.icba.org.

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