FINANCIAL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

CONTACT: Ann Kvaal, Financial Women International

FINANCIAL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS

Industry Leaders Drive Association’s Career Advancement Mission

Roseville, Minn. (10/2/07) – Financial Women International and the FWI Foundation installed new officers today at the 85th Annual FWI Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Together, these volunteer leaders are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of FWI, the longest-standing association devoted to the advancement of women in the banking and financial services industry.

Each woman is chosen for her career achievement and expertise, demonstration of leadership skills, and dedication to the FWI mission of fostering professional development and career advancement.

Regina A.S. Barr, founder and CEO of Red Ladder Inc., based in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., has been elected president of FWI.

Cindy Haas, senior vice president of private banking at Anchor Bank in Eagan, Minn., has been appointed to a second term as chair of the FWI Foundation, the educational and research arm of the association.

Also elected to FWI leadership roles are:

Vice President Melissa Curzon, vice president of California Bank & Trust, San Clemente, Calif.;

Past President/Nominating Chair Nancy Kinder, senior vice president of FC Holdings, Inc., Houston;

Treasurer Barbara Britenriker, executive vice president/chief financial officer, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Archbold, Ohio;

Secretary Carleen DeSisto, senior vice president, Bank of America, Providence, R.I.;

Membership Chair Judy Henry, CLU, ChFC, RIA, owner, J.H. Financial & Insurance Services, Huntington Beach, Calif.;

Director Diane Crowell Adams, vice president/small business relationship manager, First Tennessee Bank, Franklin, Tenn.;

Director Linda Bessey, vice president/senior mortgage officer, Community Savings Bank, Manchester, Iowa;

Director Marcia Malzahn, chief financial officer and vice president operations, Tradition Capital Bank, Edina, Minn.; and

Director Gail Mikolich, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Northeast Bank, Minneapolis.

Joining them as appointed FWI officers are:

Bylaws/Operations Chair Jane Treston, senior vice president/chief operating officer, First Commercial Bank, Bloomington, Minn.;

Public Affairs/Outreach Chair Shellie Picone, branch manager, M&T Bank, Buffalo, N.Y.;

Membership Vice Chair Lynn Pimenta, business banking officer, Citibank, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.;

Technology Chair Anita Werner, vice president, Bank of the West, El Paso, Texas;

Board Development Chair Daria Kowalyk, senior advisor of diversity and workplace equity, BMO Financial Group, Toronto, Ontario; and

Industry Awards Chair Cindy Bateman, senior vice president, commercial banking team lead, Home Federal Bank, Nampa, Idaho.

Serving as appointed officers of the FWI Foundation are:

Vice Chair/Fund Development Cathy Haney, vice president, Wachovia Bank, McLean, Va.;

Treasurer Barbara Britenriker, executive vice president/chief financial officer, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Archbold, Ohio;

Secretary Carolyn Cornett, vice president, Grayson National Bank, Independence, Va.;

External Marketing Chair Nancy Everitt, consultant, Escrow Factory, Mission Viejo, Calif.;

Trustee, Alternative Programs Linda Nakamura, loan servicing manager, American Savings Bank, Honolulu;

Trustee, Conference Chair Melissa Mednick, vice president/branch administrator, The Wilton Bank, Wilton, Conn.;

Trustee, Internal Marketing Patt Murphy, president, BancForce Financial Staffing, Irvine, Calif.;

Trustee, Group Programs Vanessa Burns, training & development specialist, First Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn.;

Management Certificate Program Chair Tammy Wolff, business and planning manager, M&T Bank, Cheektowaga, N.Y.;

Research/Paragon Circle Program Chair Shirley Lyles, training administrator and quality assurance manager, Regions Corporate Training, Birmingham, Ala.; and

Technology Chair Naomi Foote, MIS analyst, M&T Bank, Buffalo, N.Y.

For more information about Financial Women International, please visit www.fwi.org or call toll-free 866-236-2007.

Financial Women International and its Foundation are dedicated to developing leaders, accelerating careers, and generating results for professionals in the banking and financial services industry. Membership is comprised of financial executives representing all 50 states, Canada, and Russia.

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