|

GSBC Advances Community Bank Succession with Latest EDI Graduates

Graduates reflect bold leadership and lasting connections that define GSBC’s approach to succession and executive development.

 

GSBC recently celebrated the graduation of its newest Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers® (EDI) cohort, marking another milestone in preparing leaders for executive roles and community bank succession.

The graduates were honored April 14, 2026, during a ceremony in Broomfield, Colo., representing institutions across the country and reflecting the collaborative and forward-looking spirit of the program:

Back row (L to R):

  • Troy Avant, Liberty National Bank (Chickasha, Okla.)
  • Shane Greenleaf, Luana Savings Bank (Clive, Iowa)
  • Christopher I. Hill, Bankers’ Bank of the West (Denver, Colo.)

Middle row (L to R):

  • Peter Page, Frontier Bank (Lamar, Colo.)
  • Howie Jorajuria (Wellton, Ariz.)
  • Eva Bagen Rasmussen, Northeast Bank (Minneapolis, Minn.)
  • Sarah Gutierrez, Frontier Bank of Texas (Smithville, Texas)

Front row (L to R):

  • Kristy R. Bartak, Nebraska State Bank & Trust Company (Broken Bow, Neb.)
  • Kristi Shelton, Alpine Bank (Glenwood Springs, Colo.)

“This cohort represents what the future of community banking demands: bold leaders who think differently, challenge assumptions and move their organizations forward with confidence,” said Michael Stevens, president and CEO of GSBC. “EDI is a place where those leaders come to learn, connect and take steps that shape the future of their banks.”

Designed for emerging C-suite leaders, GSBC’s EDI® emphasizes that effective succession is not about replacement but progression. Participants are challenged to build on the legacy of their institutions while developing the judgment, strategic perspective and leadership capacity needed to guide them into the future.

Throughout the 19-month program, graduates engaged in executive coaching, CEO mentoring and bank-specific project work, all designed to strengthen both leadership capability and organizational performance. The result is a group of leaders prepared not only to step into executive roles but to lead with clarity and purpose.

A defining element of the EDI experience is the strength of the connections formed along the way. Participants build relationships that extend beyond the classroom, creating a network of peers who continue to challenge, support and inspire one another throughout their careers.

GSBC currently hosts multiple EDI cohorts representing community banks across the United States. Enrollment is currently open for the fifteenth cohort which will begin the program in October 2026. For more information, visit www.GSBColorado.org.

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.

Scroll to Top