2023 Management Development Program Recap
September - November 2023

Post Gail Queen Walt Lyons

On November 15, 23 Virginia bankers graduated from the VBA Management Development Program. This program is a three-month, comprehensive training designed for newer employees who have developed a passion for banking, want to enhance their knowledge of the business of banking, and who are motivated to excel in their careers and reach their full potential.

The program’s sessions provided information to make participants better bankers, ensured that they move beyond the transaction and truly understand the industry in which they work, instilled the notion that strategy and goals are imperative to drive the bank forward, and empowered them to present themselves as leaders as they move forward in their career. 

Congratulations to the MDP Class of 2023

  • Chelsea Bales, Bank of Clarke
  • Emma Barker, Chesapeake Bank
  • Cari Best, Southern Bank & Trust Company
  • Becky Bienkowski, Select Bank
  • Rick Claburn, Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.
  • Sarah Dickhoff, The Bank of Charlotte County
  • Robbie Harris, New Peoples Bank, Inc.
  • Melissa Hicks, Chesapeake Bank
  • Marisa Hughes, New Peoples Bank, Inc.
  • Khanh Huynh, MainStreet Bank
  • Sean Matthews, The Bank of Southside Virginia
  • Joe Mayfield, Chesapeake Bank 
  • Shawn McReynolds, New Peoples Bank, Inc.
  • Claudia Mojica-Guadron, Chainbridge Bank, N.A.
  • Ben Mundt, MainStreet Bank
  • Katrina Pike, Bank of Clarke
  • Olga Roberts, MainStreet Bank
  • Jon Roth, Sandy Spring Bank
  • Blake Shaw, Benchmark Community Bank
  • Christina Shoemaker, Bank of Botetourt
  • Travis Tate, MainStreet Bank
  • Sam Whippo, Chainbridge Bank, N.A.
  • Michael Wright, Chesapeake Bank 

​Session & Facilitator Information

Orientation 
Instructors: Andy Davies, The Marathon Organization, LTD; Walt Lyons, VBA; and Bruce Whitehurst, VBA

Session One: Introduction to Banking & Accounting & ALCO – Banking’s Universal Language
Instructors: Alex Vari, MainStreet Bank; Andy Davies, The Marathon Organization, LTD; and Jay Stafford, Benchmark Community Bank

Session Two: Insights Discovery: Learning Your Personal Leadership Style
Instructor: John Sarvay, Floricane

Session Three: Digital Banking & The Modern Bank Marketing Department
Instructor: Hunter Young, HiFi Agency

Session Four: From the CEO Seat – Defining Moments in Our Professional Development Journey
Instructor: Vicki Kraai, InterAction Training

Virtual Mini-Session: Bank Compliance
Instructor: Julia Gutierrez, Compliance Alliance

Virtual Session: Community Development/CRA and Community Development/Networking 101
Instructor: Nathalia Artus, Atlantic Union Bank

Session 5, Part 1: Introduction to Strategic Planning & Perspectives on Career Development
Instructors: Andy Davies, The Marathon Organization, LTD; Tom Rasey, The Farmers Bank of Appomattox; DJ Seeterlin, Chesapeake Bank; and Sherri Sackett, Select Bank

Session 5, Part 2: Advocacy & Industry Engagement Beyond MDP
Instructor: Andy Davies, The Marathon Organization, LTD 
Guests: Matt Bruning, Virginia Bankers Association; Cody Florence, Virginia National Bank; Chandler Owdom, Virginia Bankers Association; Megan Darmanin, Virginia Bankers Association
Panelists: Eric Floyd, Chesapeake Bank; Adam Hill, Atlantic Union Bank; Tom Rasey, The Farmers Bank of Appomattox; and Jennifer Huffman, Atlantic Union Bank

​View Pictures from this Year’s Program