Mark A. Elste, Chairman
Chairman of the Boards of CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. and CIBM Bank
Director Since: 2011
Committees: Executive Loan and Investment Advisory (Chair)

Now retired, Mr. Elste is a seasoned financial services executive with 45 years’ experience in banking, investment banking, lending, investment management and trust company operations. Prior titles include: Sr. EVP & Chief Operating Officer, and board member, U.S. Fiduciary Services, Inc. and affiliates from February 1992 to June 2015; and SVP & Chief Investment Officer, Banc One Investment Advisors & Bank One Wisconsin Trust Company from July 1983 to February 1992.

A CFA charterholder, Mr. Elste obtained his BBA-Finance and Executive Program MBA degrees from the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee. Mr. Elste’s industry knowledge, risk management and strategic planning experience, and leadership skills have positioned him well to lead the Board as its Chairman.

J. Brian Chaffin
President & CEO, CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. & CIBM Bank
Director Since: 2015
Committees: Executive Loan and Investment Advisory

Beginning as a college intern at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Chaffin steadily progressed through key roles, including Commercial Loan Officer, Vice President, and Regional Manager at esteemed institutions such as JP Morgan Chase and PNC Bank. Since joining the CIB Marine family in 1998, he rose from Commercial Banker to Director of Corporate Banking before assuming the roles of President, CEO, and Director in 2015, demonstrating a trajectory marked by continuous growth and leadership.

Mr. Chaffin obtained his BA-Finance and MBA-Finance & Accounting degrees from Indiana University. His extensive experience in commercial banking and leadership positions showcases his deep understanding of the financial industry and keen insight into the challenges and opportunities within community banking.

Gina M. Cocking
Managing Director & CEO, Colonnade Advisors, LLC
Director Since: 2019
Committees: Compensation, Executive Loan^*, and New Business (Vice Chair)

Ms. Cocking’s career in finance and investment banking spans more than three decades and includes significant roles such as CFO of Cobalt Finance, LLC; CFO of Healthcare Laundry Systems, LLC where she oversaw the successful sale of the company to a strategic acquirer; and Director Finance – Consumer Banking of Discover Financial Services. Since 2014, she has served as Managing Director and CEO of Colonnade Advisors, a boutique investment banking firm that specializes in merger and acquisition transactions in the financial services and business services sectors, and recently founded Dark Sky Data, LLC, which provides data-driven solutions to small businesses.

Ms. Cocking received her AB-Economics and MBA-Finance & Accounting from the University of Chicago. Her strong financial acumen combined with her wealth of experience in investment banking, finance, executive leadership, and business operations have made her a strong strategic voice on the Board.

JoAnn M. Cotter
Retired Partner, Wipfli LLP
Director Since: 2019
Committees: Audit (Chair), Compensation, Executive Loan^*, New Business (Vice Chair), and Nominating

Recently retired from Wipfli LLP, a top 20 accounting and consulting firm, Ms. Cotter has more than three decades of experience auditing and consulting with financial institutions. As the Partner in Charge of the Wipfli’s Financial Institutions Practice for fifteen years she focused on value-driven consultation, proactive client communication, and development of services. She also served as a member of the firm’s 13-member Leadership Team for several years, participating in the firm’s strategic planning, financial forecasting, and growth planning.

Ms. Cotter received her BBA-Accounting from St. Norbert College and obtained her CPA designation in 1987. Her extensive background in accounting, audit, and the banking industry as a whole makes her a valuable resource to the Company, both as a member of its Board of Directors and as the Chair of its Audit Committee.

Mark D. Henderson
Chief Information Officer and Vice Chancellor of University of Pittsburgh
Director Since: 2017
Committees: Audit (Vice Chair) and Compensation

Currently the Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer for the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Henderson’s career began as a systems analyst for voice and data communications with Procter & Gamble. He quickly rose through the ranks for telecommunications and network system solutions at various multinational corporations before entering the education sector where he has served as Director of Infrastructure Services at University of Cincinnati; Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer at University of Maryland; Interim VP & Chief Information Officer of Information Technology Services at Case Western Reserve University; and Chief Information Officer of the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign.

Mr. Henderson received a Bachelor of Science in business administration, with a concentration in information systems, from Xavier University in Cincinnati. With more than 40 years’ experience in the tech industry, his expertise in the rapidly evolving fields of information security, artificial intelligence, enterprise solutions, and technology infrastructure is critical to the Board of Directors.

Rhonda L. Hopps
Chief Executive Officer of Hopps Capital Advisors, Inc., a leadership coaching and consulting firm
Director Since: 2021
Committees: Compensation (Vice Chair), Executive Loan^*, Investment Advisory^*, and New Business

A CFA charterholder, Ms. Hopps is the Chief Executive Officer of Hopps Capital Advisors, Inc., a leadership coaching and consulting firm. Over the past decade, she has been involved in executive management of charter schools and youth development organizations in Chicago where she served as Executive Director of the Comer Education Campus and as Chief Executive Officer of Perspectives Charter Schools. Prior to her service with charter schools, Ms. Hopps served for more than two decades in a variety of positions within the financial industry, including as Director for Red Mortgage Capital’s Chicago, Illinois office; and Senior Portfolio Manager for Allstate Investments, where she managed up to $4 billion in private placement, project finance, and non-rated municipal investments.

Ms. Hopps received her BA from Northwestern University with dual majors in math and economics, and her MBA from Stanford University with a concentration in real estate and finance. Her extensive financial skills, decades of corporate finance experience, and passion for serving others make her a critical contributor to the Board of Directors.

Charles D. Mires
Retired Director of Fixed Income & Alternative Strategies for private investment management firm
Director Since: 2011
Committees: Audit, Compensation, Executive Loan^*, Investment Advisory^*, and New Business (Chair)

Now retired, Mr. Mires’s career in investment strategies and portfolio management spans more than three decades. At Franklin Street Partners, Mr. Mires was the Director of Fixed Income and Alternative Strategies, where his duties included portfolio management and oversight responsibility related to fixed income strategies, alternative strategies, and third-party manager engagements. Prior to that, he spent 22 years at Allstate Investment, LLC, where he rose up through the ranks to head the Risk Management and Derivatives group, and managed teams responsible for municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities and short-term investments.

A CFA charterholder, Mr. Mires holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Business Economics from Miami University. His extensive experience in investment management, leadership skills, and regulatory board experience make him a valuable addition to CIBM Bank's Board of Directors, where his strategic insights and governance oversight have contributed to the bank's financial stability.

Steve C. Palmitier
Retired President & COO, North American Company for Life & Health Insurance and Midland National Life Insurance Company
Director Since: 2017
Committees: Compensation, Executive Loan^*, New Business, and Nominating

Now retired, Mr. Palmitier’s career spanned more than four decades in the life insurance industry, beginning as an agent and later becoming a regional vice president and home office executive. Mr. Palmitier spent 25 years with Sammons Financial Group, serving as President and Chief Operating Officer for the group’s life insurance business lines, North American Company for Live & Health Insurance and Midland National Life Insurance Company, for more than 20 years.

Mr. Palmitier received his BA from the University of Northern Iowa. He brings decades of senior leadership experience related to strategic planning, financial acumen, technology modernization, stakeholder management, risk management, and corporate governance to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Ronald E. Rhoades
Retired President & CEO, Plastic Container Corp.
Director Since: 2010
Committees: Audit, Compensation (Chair), and Nominating (Chair)

Mr. Rhoades’ career began in 1984 at Plastic Container Corp., a plastic container and extrusion blow molding manufacturer. He steadily climbed the corporate ladder, culminating in a successful 25-year tenure as Chairman, President, and CEO before retiring from the company. He also serves on the Board of Directors of X-Trinsic, an Indiana-based firm that provides consulting and start-up assistance in the silicon carbide wafer technology industry, and on the Advisory Board of Litania Sports Group, the parent company of two market-leading brands in the sports facility market, Gill Athletics and Porter Athletic, which is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Born and raised in central Illinois, Mr. Rhoades attended the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. His insight into manufacturing and the local community, business acumen, and management experience, are valuable additions to the Company’s Board of Directors.

^*Indicates a rotating committee assignment.