The staff of Community Bankers of Iowa has extensive experience in serving bankers as well as professional association experience. From the association's offices in Des Moines, Services and Advocacy exclusively designed for Iowa's independent community banks are developed and delivered. The CBI office also features a conference room available to member bankers by reservation. Iowa's community bankers are always welcome to visit, and the coffee is free!
Mike Gathman, CEO * mgathman@cbiaonline.org
Mike joined Community Bankers of Iowa in March 2024. He previously worked for SHAZAM since 2018 as a Senior Regional Director – EFT Solutions. Prior to that he held various leadership positions at State Bank in Spencer, Iowa over an 18-year period.
Mike is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BBA in Finance, and spent eight years as a Captain in the United States Air Force where he flew combat missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Deny Flight.
Mike joined Community Bankers of Iowa in March 2024. He previously worked for SHAZAM since 2018 as a Senior Regional Director – EFT Solutions. Prior to that he held various leadership positions at State Bank in Spencer, Iowa over an 18-year period.
Mike is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BBA in Finance, and spent eight years as a Captain in the United States Air Force where he flew combat missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Deny Flight.
Pretty Patel, Vice President of Operations * ppatel@cbiaonline.org
Pretty joined CBI in 2002 and assists all areas of the association with projects, communications, data support, coordination and execution. As the resident CBI expert--and, as of 2024, a 22-year veteran--Ms. Patel manages and maintains association operations, databases and other critical information. She coordinates Board of Directors' meetings, event planning and registration, relations with CBI's member banks and Leaders of Tomorrow group, auditing, accounting/billing, and much, much more. Her experience prior to CBI includes information management and administration for the State of Iowa.
Pretty joined CBI in 2002 and assists all areas of the association with projects, communications, data support, coordination and execution. As the resident CBI expert--and, as of 2024, a 22-year veteran--Ms. Patel manages and maintains association operations, databases and other critical information. She coordinates Board of Directors' meetings, event planning and registration, relations with CBI's member banks and Leaders of Tomorrow group, auditing, accounting/billing, and much, much more. Her experience prior to CBI includes information management and administration for the State of Iowa.
Krissy Lee, Communications Director * klee@cbiaonline.org
Krissy Lee joined the CBI team in January of 2014 as the Communications Director. Originally from Des Moines, Krissy graduated from Grand View University with a B.A. in Commercial Art and studied Marketing at Simpson College. She has had success working with companies in retail, food, farming/livestock, fine art, legal, banking and news media industries. Most recently, she was the Marketing & Communications Director for an animal health products company based in Waukee, IA.
As Communications Director for CBI, Krissy works to promote CBI’s message to its members and the public, underscoring the need for support of local community banking. She oversees and produces all branding, design, collateral, newsletters, social media management and promotional campaigns, event themes, A/V technology, and web development, and works closely with the VP of Operations and Director of Member Services. She also is the Administrator of the CBI Education Foundation and oversees all Foundation operations, including scholarship awards, internships, and the annual CBI Poster Contest.
Krissy Lee joined the CBI team in January of 2014 as the Communications Director. Originally from Des Moines, Krissy graduated from Grand View University with a B.A. in Commercial Art and studied Marketing at Simpson College. She has had success working with companies in retail, food, farming/livestock, fine art, legal, banking and news media industries. Most recently, she was the Marketing & Communications Director for an animal health products company based in Waukee, IA.
As Communications Director for CBI, Krissy works to promote CBI’s message to its members and the public, underscoring the need for support of local community banking. She oversees and produces all branding, design, collateral, newsletters, social media management and promotional campaigns, event themes, A/V technology, and web development, and works closely with the VP of Operations and Director of Member Services. She also is the Administrator of the CBI Education Foundation and oversees all Foundation operations, including scholarship awards, internships, and the annual CBI Poster Contest.
Ross Dickinson, Director of Member Services * rdickinson@cbiaonline.org
Joining CBI in October 2021, Ross Dickinson is the primary point of contact for our Endorsed, Associate and Affiliate Services members, and will also work with these partners on sponsorship opportunities. Ross comes to us with a wealth of experience in sales and financial services, having managed sales accounts for both AT&T and Nortel Networks, and as a Financial Advisor for R.W. Baird for more than the past decade.
Ross currently serves on the Des Moines Airport Authority Board and is a former President of Des Moines Golf & Country Club. He is also the co-owner of a design/build construction company concentrating on residential remodeling that is operated by his wife, Mindi. He holds a BBA from The University of Iowa and an MBA from Drake University.
Joining CBI in October 2021, Ross Dickinson is the primary point of contact for our Endorsed, Associate and Affiliate Services members, and will also work with these partners on sponsorship opportunities. Ross comes to us with a wealth of experience in sales and financial services, having managed sales accounts for both AT&T and Nortel Networks, and as a Financial Advisor for R.W. Baird for more than the past decade.
Ross currently serves on the Des Moines Airport Authority Board and is a former President of Des Moines Golf & Country Club. He is also the co-owner of a design/build construction company concentrating on residential remodeling that is operated by his wife, Mindi. He holds a BBA from The University of Iowa and an MBA from Drake University.
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