Suzanne Reed Bednar, Truist Bank
Chair of the VBA Trust & Wealth Management Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 8

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee? 
The largest benefit has been meeting others in the industry and learning from their experience and knowledge. We have wonderful committee members who enjoy getting together.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
We have a lot of family transitions happening in 2023 – I’m excited to see how we all adjust and grow from those transitions.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
• Favorite Podcast: Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me from NPR
• Favorite Book: Too many to list.
• Favorite TV Show: The Challenge​
• Favorite Movie: Bridge on the River Kwai

Lightning Round Questions:

• I always start my day with…Uplifting music
• If I wasn’t a banker, I would be…A carpenter
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? The Juggler
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? YouTube Music
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Sky diving

Theresa B. Catlett, First Bank, Virginia
Chair of the VBA Compliance Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 20

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee? 
I have obviously benefited from the various educational offerings, although I am equally grateful for the relationships formed with fellow committee members and how members are always willing to assist others. There is such a strong networking opportunity available through this committee, as well as other VBA committees.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
I chair our bank’s CRA Committee which was formed last year. We are continually searching for opportunities to strengthen the bank’s CRA performance.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Drift Away by Dobie Gray
• Favorite Book: Sorry to say I do not have an interest in reading books.
• Favorite TV Show: After working with regulatory and compliance issues all day, anything that makes me laugh!
• Favorite Movie: The Book Club​

Lightning Round Questions:

• Favorite weekend activity: Spending time with friends and family, preferably near the water
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? I’m honored that those who have worked with me over my long career have always expressed their respect for me as a manager and mentor.
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Charlie Gibson
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Visit the many castles in England
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I’ve spent much of my life at baseball games from little league, high school, and college to MLB. I even first met my husband at the baseball field when I was 6 years old.

Lisa Cuba, Forbright Bank
Chair of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management Board of Trustees

Number of Years on the Committee: 10

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee? 
Professionally I’ve enjoyed expanding and enforcing relationships with other bankers.  Personally, it is rewarding to help guide the school that develops well-rounded Virginia Bankers.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
Leading a team in our ever-changing onsite/hybrid/remote environment. I love that there is no playbook so the only way to figure it out is to listen, try new things, and adjust.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Sittin On the Dock of Bay
• Favorite Podcast: I have to pick two, The Daily and What’s News by WSJ. I haven’t missed an episode of either in years.
• Favorite Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
• Favorite TV Show: Bluey, I only end up watching TV with my kids
• Favorite Movie: Dirty Dancing

Favorite VBA event or memory: My favorite memory is my time as a Bank School student when I first started to build a network across Virginia bankers.

Lightning Round Questions:

• I always start my day with…Podcasts while walking my dog
• Favorite weekend activity: Spending the day on the beach or boat.
• If I wasn’t a banker, I would be…An owner of an event planning business.
• How would you spend one million dollars? An amazing trip or two, donate some and save the rest.
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Oh there are so many but if I had to pick one, African Safari that includes a visit to Victoria Falls.

Derrick M. Copeland, Burke & Herbert Bank
Co-Chair of the VBA Security & ERM Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 2

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee?
Through networking and building relationships.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
The daily challenges of managing security risk and creating a cohesive strategy to mitigate or reduce those risks.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Moonlighting by Al Jarreau
• Favorite Podcast: Fraud Fighter Podcast
• Favorite Book: Rethinking Corporate Security by Dennis R. Dalton
• Favorite TV Show: Cosby Show
• Favorite Movie: El Dorado, Featuring John Wayne

Lightning Round Questions:

• What is your secret weapon? Landscaping skills
• I always start my day with…Daily devotional
• Favorite weekend activity: Playing golf
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? iTunes
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? Off-road dirt bike trail riding

Edward Kraemer, Burke & Herbert Bank
Chair of the VBA Ops & Tech Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 4

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee?
While my focus in our organization is largely cyber; my time on the committee has provided insight into the vast challenges other technologists are facing. I believe incorporating security into these discussions keeps the discussions and focus balanced. Committee work is great for building a professional network, and I appreciate the support members provide to each other for research and/or problem solving.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
Cloud Adoption

Favorite VBA Memory:
Any technical discussion with DJ Seeterlin.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Favorite Podcast: True Crime – All the time unsolved
• Favorite Book: Anything by James Patterson
• Favorite TV Show: X-Files
• Favorite Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life

Lightning Round Questions:

• What is your secret weapon? Finding the calm in the storm
• I always start my day with…Coffee with my wife
• Favorite weekend activity: Cooking
• If I wasn’t a banker, I would be…a chef
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? Father of the Bride
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Being a dad
• How would you spend one million dollars? I wouldn’t spend it, I would invest
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? My grandfather
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Text
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Would love to visit Scotland
• What TV show or movie character would it be the most fun to change places with for a week? Fox Mulder
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? My golf game is really that bad!

Tracy Pastella, Chesapeake Bank
Co-Chair of the VBA Security & ERM Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 7

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee?
I definitely have benefited from serving on the committee by making wonderful connections and sharing information. We all share the same challenges, and it is helpful to collaborate for solutions to similar problems.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? With the assistance of our compliance specialist, we are working at providing all risk owners time to complete a risk assessment that gives them an awareness of the risk and an understanding of controls in their respective areas. “Compliance on the move” will enhance and strengthen the three lines of defense across the organization. The ultimate goal is to get to an offensive approach to risk management.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: I Can Only Imagine, Mercy Me
• Favorite Podcast: Brene Brown, Daring Leadership
• Favorite Book: Anything by Nicholas Sparks
• Favorite TV Show: Big Bang Theory
• Favorite Movie: Fast and Furious Series

Lightning Round Questions:

• What is your secret weapon? I am a good listener
• Favorite weekend activity: Walking along the beach with a friend
• If I wasn’t a banker, I would be…A teacher
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Serving on the ABA Advisory Board for the Compliance Schools
• How would you spend one million dollars? Start a non-profit for educating and advocating for financially exploited victims
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? A trip to Italy

Marci R. Clodfelter, C&F Bank
Chair of the VBA Training Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 6

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee?
Being a member of the VBA Training committee has really expanded my network as well as my professional acumen. I began my career as a banker and kind of tripped haphazardly into training. Being able to learn and network with others who have found a similar career path has allowed me to continue to be a student of my profession. I’m constantly learning about trends, vendors, and resources thanks to the connections I’ve made through this committee.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
I am working on earning the PMP certification this year. In addition to that our company is integrating a new commercial lending software that will be a mass integration across many departments. Incredibly excited to be a part of that project.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Drive by Glades
• Favorite Podcast: Scotland Yard Confidential
• Favorite Book: The Siren by Tiffany Reisz
• Favorite TV Show: House of the Dragon
• Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings

Lightning Round Questions:

• I always start my day with…A walk with my overly spoiled lab, Moose.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Being a mother. I have loved every second of it.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Very slowly
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Oprah Winfrey
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? To visit Egypt

Joe Lewis, Village Bank
Chair of the VBA Retail Executives Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 7

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee?
The committee gives me access to many great minds. This collaboration has benefitted my career as a retail banker.

Favorite VBA event or memory:
Bank School

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Zach Bryan Fifth of May
• Favorite Podcast: Pardon My Take
• Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
• Favorite Movie: Body of Lies

Lightning Round Questions:

• I always start my day with…Exercise
• Favorite Weekend Activity: Golf or Skiing
• If I wasn’t a banker, I would be…High School Coach
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family
• How would you spend one million dollars? Very quickly
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Kyle Guy
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Twitter
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Ski Jackson Hole
• What TV show or movie character would it be the most fun to change places with for a week? Michael Scott
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I love sneakers

Robert Wood, United Bank
Chair of the VBA Government Relations Committee

Number of Years on the Committee: 6

How have you benefited from your participation in this committee?
I learned the importance of advocating for the industry in which I am trying to build my career. I was not very political prior to my time on the committee and I have learned the importance and power of using your voice to explain how certain laws or regulations can unintentionally hinder the seemingly simple task of taking care of a customer. I have gained confidence during my time on the committee in meetings with my state and local representatives.

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you?
While not new, each year brings a new challenge with BankPAC. I take pride in expanding participation at United Bank on a yearly basis and hope to encourage broader participation across all member banks.

Favorite VBA event or memory:
My favorite event was the Annual Convention in Kiawah at the Sanctuary. The Annual Convention is always fun and informative, but that was a truly incredible setting.

Your Media Mix:

• Favorite Song: Anything by Van Morrison
• Favorite Podcast: The American History Podcast
• Favorite Book: Pillers of the Earth by Ken Follett or for business, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
• Favorite TV Show: Yellowstone
• Favorite Movie: Braveheart

Lightning Round Questions:

• What is your secret weapon? I live by the motto of treating others the way I want to be treated. I try to bring that day in and day out with my family and my work. I also believe strongly in leading by example and not asking others to do something you are not willing to do yourself.
• I always start my day with…Coffee, email and news
• Favorite Weekend Activity: Spending time with my family on projects around our farm, or playing golf.
• If I wasn’t a banker, I would be…In commercial real estate.