Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®

April 23-26, 2023 | Denver Marriott Westminster | Westminster, CO

Executive Education

This 19-month program is designed to prepare internal candidates for executive management roles at community banks.


Overview

The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado’s Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers is a program for up-and-coming C-level executives whose work efforts influence the future direction of their banks. Participants attend four 4-day sessions in Colorado every six months, and may begin in April or October. A dual curriculum of advanced leadership and bank management strategies prepares participants for the challenges associated with leading a community bank in today’s increasingly competitive environment.


Curriculum

Leadership Development

  • 10+ hours of individual executive coaching
  • Mentoring by a community bank executive from a similar institution outside the participant bank’s trade area
  • Extensive use of leadership, coaching, team building and communication diagnostic tools

Bank Management

  • Bank-specific initiatives to increase non-interest income and/or reduce non-interest expense
  • Comprehensive internal risk assessment and strategic objectives
  • Bank-specific talent management analysis with strategies for employee growth and development


Admission & Fees

Are you a C-level officer or the named successor of one at your bank? Do you anticipate a promotion to executive management in the next 2-3 years? If so, EDI may be for you! See what it takes to apply, including applicable tuition and fees and program dates for the upcoming 19-month program.

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Facilities & Accommodations

Participants will stay and learn at Denver Marriott Westminster in Westminster, Colorado. Surrounded by a plethora of the areas most beloved hot spots, Denver Marriott Westminster offers unparalleled access to a wealth of destinations, including downtown Denver, Boulder, Flatiron Crossing, and Westminster Promenade. Hotel accommodations are reserved for participants by GSBC, and are included in program costs.


Continuing Professional Education

Participants can also count their EDI coursework toward Continuing Professional Education. GSBC is registered with the NASBA as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses.

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Faculty

Our faculty members are nationally recognized bankers, consultants, executive coaches and academics who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-life examples, case studies and unique models of technical instruction to facilitate a lively and open learning environment.

Chad Adams

Ogallala, NE

Andy Anderson

Rolling Fork, MS
Mary Kay Bates

Mary Kay Bates

Spirit Lake, IA
Laura Belsten

Laura Belsten

Castle Pines, CO

Cindy Blankenship

Grapevine, TX

Micah Boles

Valley Mills, TX
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J.R. Buckner

Kansas City, MO

Michael D. Cahill, CPA

Fort Wayne, IN

Andy Churgin

Lafayette, CO

Kim DeVore

Casper, WY

Copper France

Rawlins, WY

Steve Goodenow

Spirit Lake, IA

Saurabh Gupta

Greenwood Village, CO

Jennifer Jones

Greer, SC

Tony Kaiser

Osgood, OH
Kelly Karns

Kelly Karns

Edmond, OK

Kevin Kness

Albia, IA

David Linaburg

Farmers Branch, TX

Jim LoPresti

Denver, CO

Andy Marshall

Amarillo, TX

Trey Maust

Oregon City, OR

Brian McCain

Gainesville, TX

Beatrice Meyer

Fort Collins, CO
Matt Miller

Matt Miller

Gladstone, NJ
Don Musso

Don Musso

Gladstone, NJ
Karl Nelson

Karl Nelson

Roswell, GA

Jeff Newgard

Idaho Falls, ID
Dave Nowling

David Nowling

Aurora, CO

Vic Pierson

Galveston, TX
Scott Polakoff

Scott Polakoff

Gladstone, NJ

Erica Preston

Rogers, AR

Raymond Specht

Las Vegas, NV

Michael Stevens

Westminster, CO

Bridgit Wald

Denver, CO

Wayne Wicker

Myrtle Beach, SC

Brett Wyss

Colorado Springs, CO

Gordon Zimmerman

Corvallis, OR
Show less

What People Are Saying

The education that is available at GSBC's Executive Development Institute is second to none. EDI gave me an immense understanding of community banking while simultaneously cultivating innovative ideas that provided real results to my organization. One of the most valuable things of EDI was the opportunity to create close friendships and professional connections with my classmates.

EDI is unparalleled in delivering the needed skillset and leadership to be on the forefront of the changes in community banking. The content during the sessions and the relevance of the projects in between have opened a number of opportunities for our organization to become more efficient and better strengthen our core culture in order to achieve our goals. Between the connections with my fellow classmates and the industry leaders GSBC brings into the program, there is nothing better that I could have done for my career.

My decision to attend GSBC’s EDI program has been one of the most rewarding of my career. The program’s content built around leadership and community banking have been extremely effective in my development as a member of our executive team. Our organization benefited starting with my first session as the projects are not just academic, but real-world and bank specific exercises that we were able to apply immediately. Access to faculty that is comprised of top industry experts and executive coaches is an invaluable resource. The most rewarding aspect was the extended network I gained through our cohort of peers who, over a 19-month period, also became friends.

If you have C-suite aspirations, I highly recommend this program. The instruction is world-class. Faculty and coaches offer classroom instruction and practical exercises that benefited me as a leader and had a positive impact on our bank’s performance, our customers, our employees and the communities we support. A vital part of this program is also getting away from the day-to-day operations of the bank, spending time immersed in learning with and from peers who are facing the same challenges and opportunities. My classmates will be a valuable network for me for years to come.

As I started my new role as President & CEO, I wondered if I would have the time for EDI. Enrolling was the best first decision I made. The time out of the bank is small in comparison to the benefits. The CEO mentor and coach that are assigned from day one have proven to be very valuable relationships. The instructors are leaders in their industry, and they make every classroom minute count. The networking with peers has solidified that we are all faced with succession management, leadership development and profit improvement challenges at our banks. I can say without hesitation I have learned and implemented several new ideas. The structure of the school is exactly what I was looking for and the instructors and staff have exceeded my expectations.

EDI has delivered new and innovative ideas to our bank, and has resulted in tremendous growth for me personally. As a result of the projects, our bank has implemented several strategies that will improve our bottom line, and we have been able to begin steps critical to succession planning. The coaches, mentors and instructors are some of the best resources in the industry, and have provided great insight into leading and managing people at the bank. GSBC is truly a first-class organization, and I would strongly recommend this program.

EDI offers an excellent opportunity for individuals aspiring to executive level banking positions. The program is geared towards promoting personal growth and enhancing leadership skills, as well as providing opportunities to network with other bankers with the same aspirations. Working with a personal coach and a bank CEO mentor is unique to EDI, and is what makes this program a customized experience!

Evelyn Franco
Evelyn Franco
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®
Class of 2021
Brian Weldon
Brian Weldon
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers
Class of 2021
David Greenwell
David Greenwell
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®
Class of 2019
Arnold Strebe
Arnold Strebe
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®
Class of 2018
Brenda Foster
Brenda Foster
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®
Class of 2017
Jared Ferrans
Jared Ferrans
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®
Class of 2017
Carissa Rodeheaver
Carissa Rodeheaver
Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers®
Class of 2015
Next Steps
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