JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Stephanie Jester, VP/Branch Manager with West Plains Bank and Trust Company Liberty Branch in Mountain View, Mo., graduated from the Missouri Bankers Association’s Banking Leadership Missouri program during the organization’s 136th Annual Convention held June 10-12 at the Hilton Branson Convention Center.
Jester was among 22 bankers from throughout Missouri who completed MBA’s 12-month leadership development program designed to actively enhance the leadership, organizational and performance skills of highly motivated mid- to upper-level bankers. Courses focused on emerging bank issues, government relations, ethics, leadership styles, workplace culture and communications. Banking Leadership Missouri establishes a network of future bank leaders who can respond to local and national issues affecting the banking industry and their communities.
“Through Banking Leadership Missouri, Stephanie developed a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the banking industry,” said MBA President and CEO Jackson Hataway. “Stephanie is a leader in her community, and she is among the next leaders in her bank and our association.”
Jester has been with West Plains Bank and Trust Company since 2007. She has advanced through the retail banking team across the years to her current role as a vice president and branch manager.
According to West Plains Bank and Trust Company President/CEO David M. Gohn, Jester has played an important role in shaping the success of the bank, particularly in the Mountain View market. “Stephanie has dedicated the entirety of her banking career to serving the Mountain View community,” he said. “She has long understood our commitment as a community bank to giving back to the people and the towns that we serve. She is among the first to raise her hand when she sees an opportunity to put her talent to work for the betterment of the bank, her community, and the banking industry. Her completion of the Banking Leadership Missouri program is sure to benefit all three.”
Jester has a long history of involvement and training through MBA, including IRA seminars, account titling seminars, and attending the Women in Banking Conference. These opportunities, in addition to the Banking Leadership Missouri program have strengthened her experience and service delivery as a community banker.
Jester is a past vice president of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Board. She has volunteered for many years at the annual Pioneer Days celebration in Mountain View. In addition, she volunteers with Laundry of Love Mountain View, a weekly effort designed to support local residents in need of assistance with laundromat costs by paying, washing and drying loads for anyone who comes in, then cleaning the machines and sweeping. Jester also serves on the Praise Team and is the treasurer for Connexion Church.
The Missouri Bankers Association is a statewide trade and professional organization in Jefferson City that represents the interests of nearly 210 banks, savings and loans and trust companies in Missouri. MBA serves as the principal advocate for the Missouri banking community and provides educational opportunities, products and services that assist bankers with enhancing their banking operations. For more information, visit mobankers.com or follow MBA on X @mobankers.
West Plains Bank and Trust Company is the oldest continually operated business in the area. The bank has grown to include seven branches in Missouri and a loan production office in Mountain Home, Ark., with assets totaling $786 Million.
For additional information regarding the West Plains Bank and Trust Company Employee Scholarship Program or bank products and services, visit www.westplainsbank.com or call the Customer Call Center at 417.256.2147.
