The Board of Directors for Community First Banking Company, has announced the following promotions and appointments.
Ronda Barry and Marilyn Eldringhoff were both promoted to Senior Loan Administrators. Barry has 38 years of banking experience with the last 18 spent at Community First in consumer loan processing. Eldringhoff has 48 years of bank experience and the last 18 have also been spent at Community First in real estate loan processing.
Ruth Li-Whittington, has been named Vice President of IT and Compliance for Community First. She joined the bank in 2015, after working for Heights Finance Corporation, a consumer finance company in West Plains, for 4 years. Li-Whittington has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Drury University and graduated from the ABA and MBA Schools of Compliance. She currently serves as Treasurer for United Way of the Ozarks and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the 37th Judicial District.
Chrys Fisher, Advisory Director was appointed as Full Director of Community First. Fisher was born in Oklahoma, raised in Texas, and spent most of his adult life in rural Missouri. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and later graduated from Vermont Law School with a dual degree JD/MSL magna cum laude. He was licensed to practice law in Missouri in 1995. Since 1997, Fisher has tried many cases before both judge and jury in south central Missouri. He has argued numerous appeals before the Southern District Court of Appeals and the Missouri Supreme Court. He contributes his time on a pro bono basis to several local organizations seeking to make a positive difference in the greater Ozarks area. Fisher is married to his wife Heather and they have two sons – Owen (20) a President’s award and legal scholar recipient attending Elon University in North Carolina, and George (17) a junior participating in varsity wrestling and concert choir at West Plains High School.
Erik Montgomery, Advisory Director was appointed as Full Director of Community First. Montgomery is a native of and business leader in Willow Springs with a history of service to the local community. He attended Missouri State University in West Plains and then Springfield, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship in 2000. Montgomery is president of Fuel Marketing Corporation and vice president of Coastal Energy and FMC Transport Inc. As part of the family business, Montgomery recently launched commercial developments including Bear Crossing Shopping Center and Bear Crossing Truck Wash & Tire Center. He is a current member of the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce and serves as vice chair for the City of Willow Springs Tax Increment Finance Commission. Montgomery, and his wife, Katie attend Pomona Christian Church along with their two daughters and make their home on the family farm outside Willow Springs.
Rob Hawkins has been named an Advisory Director to the Board of Directors of Community First. He is a native of West Plains and graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a partner in the CPA firm Hawkins, Yarber & Chambers and has been practicing public accounting for over 25 years. Rob currently serves on the board of Ozarks Christian Academy and the Missouri Baptist Foundation. He is a member of First Baptist Church in West Plains and the noon Rotary Club. He and his wife Stephanie reside in West Plains and have two daughters Andria and Rachel.
Daniel McKinney, Vice President & Commercial Lender at Community First has been also been named an Advisory Director to the Board of Directors. McKinney joined Community First in 2012 in Deposit Operations. He later was promoted to Vice President and Commercial Lender. McKinney is a native of West Plains and graduated from West Plains High School. He has an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Missouri State University and graduated from the Missouri Banker’s School of Lending and Advanced School of Lending. He is also a 2020 graduate of the Missouri Banker’s Bank Leadership Missouri program.
“We are pleased to have people of this caliber working for our bank and serving on our board” said board chairman, Clyde Stewart, Jr. “You won’t find more qualified and dedicated individuals”.
