Steve Bagwell, president and CEO of Vision Bank, in Ada, was inducted as chair of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 128th Convention on Wednesday, May 14, at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City.
Bagwell is a 1987 graduate of Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He has also completed graduate work in planning and community development at the University of Virginia, and is a 2001 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. Bagwell has been with Vision Bank since 1998 and worked in operations, lending and branch management. He was elected CEO in 2020.
Steve Hart, president of First Fidelity Bank, in Oklahoma City, was elected as first vice chair of the association. He will move into the vice chair’s seat (currently occupied by Priscilla Cude, of First Bethany Bank & Trust, in Bethany) next year and into the chair’s spot in 2027.
In other convention business, the OBA membership elected bankers to six seats on the association’s board of directors. The new directors, who will serve threeyear board terms, are:
• Danna Robinson, Cattlemens Bank, Gould.
• Shanon Butler, First National Bank of Hooker.
• Jared Cable, Patrons Bank, Okmulgee.
• Jerold Phillips, Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Ardmore.
• Keegan Grooms, First Liberty Bank, Oklahoma City
• Nikita Thompson, SpiritBank, Tulsa Eight board directors who completed their terms were recognized for their years of service. Honored were (all photos with OBA Chair Alicia Wade):
• Matt Jackson, The Bank of the West, Thomas.
• Gregg Weber, The Bank of Beaver City, Beaver.
• Adam Anderson, Bank of Commerce, Chelsea.
• Mark Caldwell, First National Bank, Heavener.
• Leigh-Anne Taylor, NBC Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
• Ted Cundiff, AVB Bank, Broken Arrow.
• Evans McBride, First National Bank, McAlester.
• Jerold Phillips, Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Ardmore.
The OBA also honored banks and bankers who have committed their time and effort to the state’s banking industry during the Chair’s Brunch held at the convention. Those recognized are listed below.
— 50-Year-Club
Six longtime bankers were inducted into the OBA’s 50-Year-Club. These individuals have devoted 50 years or more to their banking careers. Inductees were (all photos with OBA Chair Alicia Wade):
• Bruce Akard, First-Bank, Hugo
• Nevyle Cable, First Okmulgee Corporation, Okmulgee • Angie Dodd, Triad Bank, Tulsa
• Fred Harlan, Patrons Bank, Okmulgee
• Dixie Smith, AllNations Bank, Calumet
• Terry Thomas, American Exchange Bank, Lindsay — School Board Chairs Five bankers were honored for their service as chairpersons of various OBA school boards. Honored were (all photos with OBA Chair Alicia Wade):
• Kendra Barnes, Arvest Bank, Oklahoma City Basic Banking & Intermediate Schools
• Troy Avant, Liberty National Bank, Chickasha – Commercial Lending School
• Tracy Stine, Great Plains Bank, Woodward – Consumer Lending School
• Kathryn Ivey, Shamrock Bank, Coalgate Compliance School
• Matthew Farve, First National Bank, Ardmore Operations School — Committee Chairs
Four bankers were honored for their service as chairpersons of the committees and boards that drive the OBA’s programs. These individuals have devoted considerable time and effort to ensure a quality trade association. Honored were (All photos with OBA Chair Alicia Wade):
• Mason Bolay, First Bank & Trust Co., Perry Agriculture Committee
• Steve Bagwell, Vision Bank, Ada – Government Relations Council
• Andrea Carter, The Bankers Bank, Oklahoma City – Women In Banking Committee
• Amy Biggs, Seiling State Bank, Seiling Emerging Leaders Council The OBA represents nearly 200 banks across the state and serves as the primary advocate for the banking industry. It’s also heavily involved in continuing education for bankers, fraud training and prevention as well as legal and compliance services and communications for its member banks.
