Submitted

The Bank of Hays Board of Directors has announced promotions for three of its Hays staff.

Brandon Prough, Senior Vice President, has been named Chief Lending Officer for the bank. Born in Liberal and raised in Ulysses, he moved to Hays and finished high school at Hays High. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a degree in Agri-business, Prough joined Bank of Hays in 2011 after 20 years in lending services with various agencies within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including Farmers Home Administration, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development. He is chair of the Heartland Community Foundation, a member of Tiger Club, and serves as treasurer for Westview Church. He and his wife, Shaina, have three children: Madison, 17; Cassidy, 14; and Brian, 6.

Michelle Rounsley, Vice President, was promoted to Executive Assistant. Beginning her banking career as a student employee in high school, she went on to serve in other banking positions, including branch manager, before joining Bank of Hays in 2006. She prepares for audits/exams, Board of Directors meetings and other administrative duties. She is a member and secretary of the bank’s Leadership Committee. Born and raised in Goodland, she attended Northwest Kansas Technical School and Fort Hays State University. She is co-president of TMP Parent, Teacher and Friends and is a member of St. Joseph’s Church. She and her husband, Kim, have a son, Garret.

Laurel Klaus, New Accounts Representative, has been named Assistant Vice President. She joined Bank of Hays in 2013 after serving as Personal Banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in Claflin, she moved to Hays in 2006 to attend Fort Hays State University. She has a three-year-old son, Carter, and she is married to Austin Klaus of Hays. The family attends St. Nicholas of Myra Church.

Bank of Hays is located at 1000 West 27th, with branches in Hanston (Hanston State Bank), Jetmore (The Farmers State Bank of Jetmore) and Lewis (Bank of Lewis).