MANSFIELD — Almost exactly five years ago I wrote an e-mail to my friends, colleagues and customers in the Unity National Bank market. It described an unexpected opportunity to move to Mansfield and lead Richland Bank.
I was apprehensive but knew it was the right decision for me and the only organization for which I have worked. Today, I find myself writing a very similar letter describing another unforeseen opportunity.
I have been asked to move to Springfield as President of Security National Bank, the second largest bank in our organization. I am again apprehensive as I fear I will not find friends and colleagues as wonderfully supportive as you have been but still know that I am making the right decision.
I am honored to have been given this opportunity.
Let me begin by apologizing for the inability to address you personally. Timeliness and a desire to contact as many of you as possible had to be balanced with a respect for governance and the burden of regulatory compliance/notifications.
In short, there was a definite order of communication that necessitated an email correspondence within a very narrow window. Please understand and don’t think me impersonal.
I sincerely wish I could have spoken to each of you in person. And, while the timetable for my move is rather short, I hope to speak with many of you in the coming days.
Secondly, please let me extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you.
Whether you are a friend, customer or colleague (possibly all three), you played a part in making me feel welcome in Mansfield during a difficult time in my personal life.
Richland County is a wonderful place, much more vibrant and interesting than its reputation. At its core is a warm group of people that care about each other and the community in which they live.
I cannot thank you enough for extending that care and concern to me. It has been a pleasure to call Mansfield home for the past five years and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Additionally, I am proud to have played a small part in our collective community and economic development success during the past five years. As I have mentioned many times before, our problems here are no different than any other smaller midwestern community. (Who better to know that than someone who has lived in Newark, Toledo, Piqua, Mansfield and, now, Springfield?)
We are doing many things here that will help Richland County “win,” the most important of which is establishing a feeling of, and commitment to, optimism.
I hope this continues and I encourage those of you not yet involved in the effort to do so.
Professionally, it has been a privilege to work at the best community bank in Richland County. I know so because there is not a finer group of bankers and customers in North Central Ohio.
To my colleagues, please continue on the course we have established – a course of extraordinary community and customer service – while lending your support to my successor. If you are a customer, please know that Richland Bank is as strong as ever with capable, committed associates to serve you.
Richland Bank’s commitment to local decision-making and a culture of local service to its customers and communities is much greater than any one person and will live long beyond my tenure.
In closing, please allow me to again thank you for enriching my life during the past five years. I am hoping to find similarly warm friends in Springfield. I am certain I will but none will replace those with which I have grown close here in Richland County.
While I know from experience that distance provides a challenge, it is my hope that we can stay in contact. You will be missed and know that you are always welcome in Springfield.
John
