Community Bankers of Washington Announces Retirement of President John Collins, Names Successor
(Washington State) May 10, 2022- Community Bankers of Washington (CBW) announced today that President and Executive Director John Collins will retire at the end of 2022. Effective immediately, Collins will become CEO and current Vice President Kathryn Swenson has been promoted to President & Executive Director.
CBW Chairman Andy Hunter, President & CEO of SaviBank in Mount Vernon, said “John Collins led the Association through some of the most turbulent times for community banks - last decade’s financial crisis as well as the recent pandemic and PPP Loan Program. He has done an excellent job and will be sorely missed. It is exciting to announce Kathy Swenson’s promotion. She has been such an important part of the Association’s success for several years and to have Kathy leading the charge going forward means we are in good hands.”
Collins states, “After working for several banks, large and small, I was fortunate to join the Washington Independent Community Bankers Association (aka WICBA) in August of 2000. With my previous banking experience, it was an exceptionally good fit for me, and the Association now known as the Community Bankers of Washington.”
“In 2007, I was fortunate to hire Kathy Swenson to assist me with running the programs of CBW. Her previous experience has been a tremendous asset to CBW. Now is the time for me to step aside and hand over the responsibilities to Kathy as the President and Executive Director. I will be collaborating with her on a full-time basis as the Chief Executive Officer until the end of 2022. I have always been proud to lead CBW for the past twenty years and the last fifteen years alongside Kathy. I am confident; Kathy has the skills and knowledge to take CBW in the future.”
Kathryn Swenson joined CBW in 2007 as Project Manager. She was promoted to Operations Manager in 2013 and Vice President in 2016. Kathy has a background in advertising, government relations, and association management.
“This is an exciting time for community banks, and I am privileged to be a part of it,” says Kathy. “The pandemic years highlighted the importance and vitality of community banks, and their ability to quickly adapt to meet the needs of their communities. John Collins has been a great mentor and created a solid foundation, which will serve CBW well as we adopt innovative technologies and weather new challenges.”
Before coming to CBW Kathy was the Production Manager for Pacific Communications, Business Manager for TCI Cable Advertising, Government Relations Assistant for Puget Sound Energy, and Executive Director and Lobbyist for the Washington Ambulance Association. A Seattle native, she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
(Washington State) May 10, 2022- Community Bankers of Washington (CBW) announced today that President and Executive Director John Collins will retire at the end of 2022. Effective immediately, Collins will become CEO and current Vice President Kathryn Swenson has been promoted to President & Executive Director.
CBW Chairman Andy Hunter, President & CEO of SaviBank in Mount Vernon, said “John Collins led the Association through some of the most turbulent times for community banks - last decade’s financial crisis as well as the recent pandemic and PPP Loan Program. He has done an excellent job and will be sorely missed. It is exciting to announce Kathy Swenson’s promotion. She has been such an important part of the Association’s success for several years and to have Kathy leading the charge going forward means we are in good hands.”
Collins states, “After working for several banks, large and small, I was fortunate to join the Washington Independent Community Bankers Association (aka WICBA) in August of 2000. With my previous banking experience, it was an exceptionally good fit for me, and the Association now known as the Community Bankers of Washington.”
“In 2007, I was fortunate to hire Kathy Swenson to assist me with running the programs of CBW. Her previous experience has been a tremendous asset to CBW. Now is the time for me to step aside and hand over the responsibilities to Kathy as the President and Executive Director. I will be collaborating with her on a full-time basis as the Chief Executive Officer until the end of 2022. I have always been proud to lead CBW for the past twenty years and the last fifteen years alongside Kathy. I am confident; Kathy has the skills and knowledge to take CBW in the future.”
Kathryn Swenson joined CBW in 2007 as Project Manager. She was promoted to Operations Manager in 2013 and Vice President in 2016. Kathy has a background in advertising, government relations, and association management.
“This is an exciting time for community banks, and I am privileged to be a part of it,” says Kathy. “The pandemic years highlighted the importance and vitality of community banks, and their ability to quickly adapt to meet the needs of their communities. John Collins has been a great mentor and created a solid foundation, which will serve CBW well as we adopt innovative technologies and weather new challenges.”
Before coming to CBW Kathy was the Production Manager for Pacific Communications, Business Manager for TCI Cable Advertising, Government Relations Assistant for Puget Sound Energy, and Executive Director and Lobbyist for the Washington Ambulance Association. A Seattle native, she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
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