Graduates from California to New Jersey reflect the collaborative spirit that defines GSBC’s approach to leadership education.
GSBC this week celebrated the graduation of its 12th Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers® (EDI) cohort, marking more than a decade of developing the next generation of community bank leaders.
The seven graduates (pictured L to R) were honored during a ceremony in Broomfield, Colo., representing institutions from coast to coast.
- Ryan Blake, BCB Bank, Bayonne, N.J.
- Allison Rothermel, Colorado Division of Banking, Denver, Colo.
- Andrew Y. Wong, United Pacific Bank, City of Industry, Calif.
- Phillip Foster II, Strategic Resource Management, Inc., Denver, Colo.
- Tammy P. Frazier, Oak View National Bank, Marshall, Va.
- Susan A. Barber, Community Bank of Parkersburg, Parkersburg, W. Va.
- Bryan D. Petty, Quail Creek Bank, Oklahoma City, Okla.
“This EDI class truly captures what GSBC is all about: bringing together leaders from across the country and across the industry,” said Michael Stevens, president and CEO of GSBC. “From California to New Jersey and everywhere in between, this cohort included our first regulator and a consultant learning alongside community bankers. When all the stakeholders in banking learn together, we strengthen the entire system.”
EDI: The Only Program of its Kind in the Country
Designed for emerging C-suite leaders, GSBC’s EDI® combines individualized coaching, executive mentoring and bank-specific strategy work to prepare participants for senior leadership roles. Each participant develops a customized leadership plan that aligns personal growth with their institution’s strategic goals — a model that remains unmatched in community banking education.
In addition to the graduates, GSBC currently hosts two other EDI cohorts representing 17 U.S. states. Enrollment is now open for the 15th cohort, beginning in October 2026. Learn more.