Bloomington, Minn.-based BankIn Minnesota appointed Rich Jones as President and CEO, effective Oct. 14..Jones, President and CEO of Randall State Bank, has nearly 20 years of community banking experience in commercial lending and senior leadership. Randall State Bank is being acquired by Security State Agency of Aitkin, Minn. Jones has served on the BankIn Minnesota Board of Directors for five years, most recently as vice chair. He represents the northern half of Minnesota as a federal delegate for the Independent Community Bankers of America.Jones is known for his community leadership in the central Minnesota community of Randall. As spotlighted by BankNews.com in 2021, Jones and a friend produced a series of short documentaries highlighting community businesses, part of his approach to transcend the traditional image of a “stuffy banker” into a fun, community-focused leader. A native of Nisswa, Minn., Jones previously worked at TCF Bank and Wells Fargo, positions he saw as not giving him much perspective on the impact of his work. He said he wanted to return to community banking based on his childhood experience of seeing the local bank president know everyone in town. “It made an impact on me even as a kid,” he said. “Rich is a proven leader with a strong grasp of both the operational and relationship sides of community banking,” said BankIn Minnesota Board Chair Greg Raymo. “He understands what it takes for community banks to thrive in today’s environment, and he shares BankIn’s commitment to helping them do just that.”Jones succeeds Jim Amundson, who led the association from 2016 until this year, when he became president and CEO of Bloomington-based United Bankers’ Bank. Raymo has been interim president and CEO during the leadership transition.“I’m excited to hit the ground running,” Jones said. “I’ve seen firsthand the strength, creativity and commitment Minnesota’s community bankers bring to their work every day. I look forward to building on that momentum and ensuring community banking continues to thrive across the state.”With Jones’ appointment, Mike Bresnahan, president and CEO of St. Peter-based First National Bank Minnesota, will become vice chair of the BankIn Minnesota Board, and Randy Dorn, president of First National Bank of Henning, Otter Tail and Battle Lake, will move into the treasurer and chair succession role.
