County National Bank promoted eight employees at the end of 2021. Two of the promoted employees serve at the Hillsdale Branch. Kelly Lantis ’86 was promoted to vice president, commercial credit officer; Ray Briner was promoted to Commercial Loan Officer.
CEO John Waldron said it is uncommon to promote so many employees at once, but that the promotions were awarded based on performance.
“We just happened to have a number of people that were due,” Waldron said. “At year end, we had a number of individuals that had performed well enough to a level it was time to promote them.”
Seven employees were promoted to a vice president position.
“That’s a pretty high title for our company,” Waldron said. “Some companies seem to have a lot of vice presidents. We, historically, have not.”
Kelly Lantis was promoted to vice president – commercial credit officer. She has worked for CNB since 1988, and helped create the CNB credit department, which she currently manages. Her husband Jeff Lantis works for Hillsdale college; the couple have had four children graduate from the college.
“Kelly has been an integral key to CNB’s credit quality and culture for many years,” Chairman of the Board Craig Connor said. “The bank, our customers, and our shareholders have benefited greatly from Kelly’s long-held dedication to her work.”
In her spare time, Lantis serves the Hillsdale community as a board member of the Hillsdale County Community Foundation, treasurer of the Hillsdale Woman’s Club, financial adviser of Chi Omega Sorority, treasurer of Woman’s Life Insurance Society, and treasurer for Hillsdale Township.
Ray Briner, who was promoted to commercial loan officer, started his career at CNB in 2009. He has worked for CNB both as a credit analyst and as a lender in the commercial loan department.
“Ray has served our commercial clients well, and was instrumental in assisting clients with Paycheck Protection Program loans throughout both phases of the program,” according to a press release.
In his free time, Briner represents the Hillsdale community on the Hillsdale City Council for Ward Four, the secretary and board member of the Exchange Club, and board member and treasurer of the Hillsdale County Fair.
Waldron said the recent promotions demonstrate CNB’s presence and respect in the Hillsdale community.
“It lets people know, customers, coworkers, people in the community: if you’re at a vice president level in most companies and especially here, it means you’re a seasoned banker,” Waldron said. “It means you’re pretty highly thought of by your company. It brings a heavier weight to those in the community or those customers that you’re dealing with. It’s a big deal. It means you’ve put your time in.”
CNB is in the top 10 publicly traded banks in Michigan, according to Waldron. For a bank so successful to be headquartered in Hillsdale speaks to the strength of the town, Waldron said.
“Hillsdale is a relatively small town. You have a number of people that have had great success and been promoted, and a number of people that have contributed to the growth of a highly respected bank that’s headquartered in Hillsdale County,” Waldron said. “They’ve greatly contributed to the success of the company. The bank is very highly thought of throughout the state.”