First National Bank & Trust announces the promotion of two employees, according to an announcement from Dave Kashian, President and CEO.
“We are pleased to announce these promotions and to recognize these individuals for their outstanding performance and commitment to the Bank,” said Kashian.
Russ Kassin has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Banking Manager.
He is responsible for overseeing the business banking department in all areas, from supervising work load, coaching existing bankers, and handling customer and employee issues. He will also be watching expenses and fee collection along with helping grow the commercial loan portfolio.
Kassin graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in personal finance. He has obtained a Series 7, Series 66, health and life insurance licenses, and has obtained the CFP® designation. He previously worked with Lincoln Financial and Wells Fargo. He has been with First National Bank & Trust for five years and has most recently graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. This is a three year intensive program that includes classroom time each August in Madison, WI and several projects each year.
He enjoys his time with his wife, Joy, and their four children (Carter, Lucas, Brayden, and Noah), and plays a very active role in the community. He is involved with several non-profit organizations, including The Dickinson Area Chamber Alliance (board member), Economic Development Alliance (Chairman), Junior Achievement (board member and teacher), Care Free Dental (board member), Kiwanis (past President), Iron Mountain Road& Trail (board member), Bay West Advisory Board (board member) and Dickinson College Community Access Network (board member).
Jean O’Dette has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Business Banking.
Along with continuing to provide high quality financial services to new and existing commercial customers, in her new position O’Dette will assume additional responsibilities including implementing new software and bank security officer.
O’Dette joined the company in January 2010 as the bank’s first credit analyst. Using her extensive background in the financial industry, she quickly streamlined many processes and procedures within the organization. She was instrumental in establishing various internal committees which focus on customer or employee needs and currently organizes many of the internal and external bank related events. O’Dette was previously with MFC First National Bank/Wells Fargo Bank and served in the capacities of customer service, branch manager, mortgage department manager and Vice President of Retail Lending.
She received her Associates Degree from Bay de Noc Community College and is a 2015 graduate of the MBA Commercial Lending School. Over the years she has completed many courses including the Robert M. Perry School of Banking, College of Sales Management, Advanced Leadership Seminars and Successful Money Management, among others. She is very active in the community, volunteering her time to many groups and events. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Dickinson Area Chamber Alliance, Carney Lake Association and Carney Lake Board. She has been married to her husband, Larry, for 30 years and they have two children: Ryan who works in Indianapolis and Jaimee (Matthew) Brouillette of Breitung Township. They are anxiously awaiting their first grandchild in a few weeks.
“These promotions reflect the continuous contribution Russ and Jean have made toward the success and growth of the bank and they are very well deserved,” said Dave Kashian, President and CEO of First National Bank &Trust.