Emprise Bank announced today that Hays President Wayne Woofter will bring his 40-year banking career to a close by retiring on March 3. Woofter has been at Emprise since 1999.
Mark McCullick, Senior Vice President and Commercial Manager at Emprise Bank, will take over as Hays President. McCullick is a Hays native who started his banking career in 1986; he has been at Emprise since 1998.
“We’re grateful for the many years of leadership Wayne has given us,” said Matt Michaelis, Emprise Bank Chairman. “A 40-year career in any industry is significant. Emprise and, more importantly, our customers have benefited from nearly half of it. We wish Wayne the best as his retirement approaches, and we’re excited for Mark to take over as Hays President. We’re very fortunate to have Mark with all his experience and knowledge of the community ready to step in and lead our Hays team.”
Woofter began his banking career with Peoples Heritage Federal Savings in 1977 after graduating the previous year from Kansas State University with a Business Administration degree. During his time at Peoples Heritage Federal Savings, he served as Branch Manager and Western Region Manager. In 1990, Woofter went to work for Bank IV in Hays, eventually moving up to the position of Market President. In 1994, he completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.
Woofter has been active in the Hays community for decades. A short list of his involvement includes two terms as President of the Hays Rotary Club, a term as Chairman of the Hays Chamber of Commerce, and terms as President and Campaign Chair for United Way of Ellis County.
Woofter looks forward to travelling and spending more time with his wife, Gera Lou, and their grandkids.
“It’s been an honor to serve our customers and the community for so many years,” said Woofter. “I’m extremely pleased that Mark will take my place as Hays President. We’ve worked together for more than 25 years. I know him well, and our customers know him well. It will be an easy transition.”
McCullick graduated from Kansas State University in 1984 with a Finance degree. He later earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Fort Hays State University in 1996. In 2008, he completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.
“When you work alongside someone for 28 years, at some point you begin to complete their sentences and anticipate their thoughts,” said McCullick. “Wayne and I reached that point a long time ago. The Hays banking environment, while ever changing, has afforded us great opportunities and we have been fortunate to be at Emprise Bank together during the majority of those years. Wayne’s level of leadership can’t be overstated, but more important to me is the friendship we carved out along the way.”
McCullick added, “We have great customers in Hays, and I look forward to continuing our long tradition of customer service and relationship management.”
About Emprise Bank: Headquartered in Wichita, Emprise Bank serves more than 20 communities in Kansas with total assets exceeding $1.8 billion. Emprise Bank is FDIC insured. To learn more, visit EmpriseBank.com.
— Submitted