MBA elects Rob Barrett to serve as chairman

Rob Barrett, president and CEO of Heritage State Bank in Nevada, was elected and installed as chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association at the organization’s 127th Annual Convention held June 7-9 at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Convention Center in Branson.

As chairman, Barrett’s duties include overseeing and directing activities of the MBA Board of Directors and representing MBA’s membership with elected officials and regulators at the state and national level. Barrett will serve as chairman for one year.

Barrett follows in the footsteps of his wife, Susan, who served as the first female chairman of MBA in 2010. They are the first couple in the nation to lead a state banking association. She is executive vice president of Heritage State Bank.

“Rob’s passion and commitment to the banking community is infectious,” said Max Cook, MBA president and CEO. “His knowledge of our industry and his dedication to the well-being of his customers and community will serve Rob well as he guides our association in its pursuit to strengthen economic prosperity in our communities.”

“This is an extremely important time for our industry as federal lawmakers seek to ease banking regulations,” Barrett said. “Their votes on banking regulations affect the people and businesses in their districts. Changing the regulations will enable community banks to better assist their customers with their financial goals of owning a home, sending their children to college or expanding their business.”

Barrett joined Heritage State Bank in Nevada in 1983, where he has served as president and CEO. Among his involvement with MBA and the American Bankers Association, Barrett has served on the MBA Board of Directors and is past chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee, as well as the VEBA Board. He is currently a Direct Contact Banker and member of ABA’s Banker Advocacy Committee, and he previously served on ABA’s Ag Banking Committee.