Spring Conference 2021
Speaker Bios
Speaker Bios
Robert Fisher, Chairman ICBA, President & CEO Tioga State Bank
Robert M. Fisher is chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the only national advocacy organization that exclusively represents community banks.
Fisher is president and CEO of Tioga State Bank in Spencer, N.Y.
A fifth-generation community banker, Fisher serves in many leadership roles at ICBA.
He is chairman of the ICBA Executive Committee and the board of directors. He is a member of ICBA’s Federal Delegate Board and its Policy Development and Nominating committees, and he serves as the Executive Committee liaison to the Legislative Issues Committee and the Minority Bank Advisory Council.
He is also an ex-officio member of ICBA Securities, Consolidated Holdings and Services Network board of directors. He is past chairman of the ICBPAC Committee and was the state delegate for New York on the Federal Delegate Board.
Fisher testified in 2017 and again in 2018 before the House Financial Services Committee on regulatory relief for community banks. Additionally, Fisher served on the New York State Banking Board from 2007 to 2011. He is a current member and past chairman of the Independent Bankers Association of New York State.
In addition to his banking affiliations, Fisher serves as chairman of the Lourdes Ascension Hospital board in Binghamton, N.Y., and sits on the board of the Pursuit, formerly known as the New York Business Development Corp.
Fisher has a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Notre Dame.
He lives in Owego, N.Y., with his wife and three children.
Robert M. Fisher is chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the only national advocacy organization that exclusively represents community banks.
Fisher is president and CEO of Tioga State Bank in Spencer, N.Y.
A fifth-generation community banker, Fisher serves in many leadership roles at ICBA.
He is chairman of the ICBA Executive Committee and the board of directors. He is a member of ICBA’s Federal Delegate Board and its Policy Development and Nominating committees, and he serves as the Executive Committee liaison to the Legislative Issues Committee and the Minority Bank Advisory Council.
He is also an ex-officio member of ICBA Securities, Consolidated Holdings and Services Network board of directors. He is past chairman of the ICBPAC Committee and was the state delegate for New York on the Federal Delegate Board.
Fisher testified in 2017 and again in 2018 before the House Financial Services Committee on regulatory relief for community banks. Additionally, Fisher served on the New York State Banking Board from 2007 to 2011. He is a current member and past chairman of the Independent Bankers Association of New York State.
In addition to his banking affiliations, Fisher serves as chairman of the Lourdes Ascension Hospital board in Binghamton, N.Y., and sits on the board of the Pursuit, formerly known as the New York Business Development Corp.
Fisher has a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Notre Dame.
He lives in Owego, N.Y., with his wife and three children.
Kevin Christensen, SVP Market Intelligence & Data Analytics, Shazam
Moving money faster is a popular topic and Kevin Christensen has helped SHAZAM take a leading role in shaping the future of faster payments. He’s spent more than 15 years in the payments industry — most recently working with the Federal Reserve and industry experts — to build a framework for faster payments. With this experience, and his role as a regulator, he provides powerful insights to maximize efficiency and profitability at your institution. Using his dry wit and charm, Kevin provides context and meaning to these potentially confusing and sometimes frustrating topics.
Moving money faster is a popular topic and Kevin Christensen has helped SHAZAM take a leading role in shaping the future of faster payments. He’s spent more than 15 years in the payments industry — most recently working with the Federal Reserve and industry experts — to build a framework for faster payments. With this experience, and his role as a regulator, he provides powerful insights to maximize efficiency and profitability at your institution. Using his dry wit and charm, Kevin provides context and meaning to these potentially confusing and sometimes frustrating topics.
Mary Daly, President/CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Mary Daly is the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. As a participant on the Federal Open Market Committee, she helps set American monetary policy that promotes a healthy and stable economy.
Since taking office in October 2018, Dr. Daly has committed to making the San Francisco Fed a more community-engaged bank that is transparent and responsive to the people it serves. She works to connect economic principles to real-world concerns and is a sought-after speaker on monetary policy, labor economics, and increasing diversity within the economics field.
Dr. Daly began her career with the San Francisco Fed in 1996 as an economist specializing in labor market dynamics and economic inequality. She went on to become the Bank’s Executive Vice President and Director of Research. She currently serves on advisory boards for the Center for First-generation Student Success and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She has also served on the advisory boards of the Congressional Budget Office, the Social Security Administration, the Office of Rehabilitation Research and Training, the Institute of Medicine, and the Library of Congress.
Dr. Daly earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. She also completed a National Institute of Aging post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University.
A native of Ballwin, Missouri, Dr. Daly now lives in Oakland, California, with her wife Shelly.
Mary Daly is the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. As a participant on the Federal Open Market Committee, she helps set American monetary policy that promotes a healthy and stable economy.
Since taking office in October 2018, Dr. Daly has committed to making the San Francisco Fed a more community-engaged bank that is transparent and responsive to the people it serves. She works to connect economic principles to real-world concerns and is a sought-after speaker on monetary policy, labor economics, and increasing diversity within the economics field.
Dr. Daly began her career with the San Francisco Fed in 1996 as an economist specializing in labor market dynamics and economic inequality. She went on to become the Bank’s Executive Vice President and Director of Research. She currently serves on advisory boards for the Center for First-generation Student Success and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She has also served on the advisory boards of the Congressional Budget Office, the Social Security Administration, the Office of Rehabilitation Research and Training, the Institute of Medicine, and the Library of Congress.
Dr. Daly earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. She also completed a National Institute of Aging post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University.
A native of Ballwin, Missouri, Dr. Daly now lives in Oakland, California, with her wife Shelly.
Dr. Dan Jolivet, The Standard
Dr. Dan Jolivet started working in the behavioral health field in 1980 as he was completing a degree in mathematical statistics and wanted to get some hands-on experience in an applied scientific discipline. His first direct service job in the field was a 1981 work-study position at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Seattle, where he quickly became hooked on trying to understand how people change.
Dan has held a variety of roles throughout his career. He has worked in inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, employee assistance programs and in private practice. He moved into supervision to multiply his impact and began working in managed care soon after that. He joined The Standard as its Behavioral Health Director in 2016 and says his favorite part of the job is still helping people — both claimants and people on his team — find solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
Dan received his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Washington, and his master's degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from Georgia State University. In his spare time, Dan plays baritone saxophone in a local concert band and he enjoys spending time with his two daughters and his cat.
You can connect with Dan on LinkedIn and follow his blog.
Dr. Dan Jolivet started working in the behavioral health field in 1980 as he was completing a degree in mathematical statistics and wanted to get some hands-on experience in an applied scientific discipline. His first direct service job in the field was a 1981 work-study position at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Seattle, where he quickly became hooked on trying to understand how people change.
Dan has held a variety of roles throughout his career. He has worked in inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, employee assistance programs and in private practice. He moved into supervision to multiply his impact and began working in managed care soon after that. He joined The Standard as its Behavioral Health Director in 2016 and says his favorite part of the job is still helping people — both claimants and people on his team — find solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
Dan received his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Washington, and his master's degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from Georgia State University. In his spare time, Dan plays baritone saxophone in a local concert band and he enjoys spending time with his two daughters and his cat.
You can connect with Dan on LinkedIn and follow his blog.
James Nowak, VP Risk Management, United Bankers Bank
James Nowak is Vice President of Risk Management. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud Minnesota. James joined the United Bankers' Bank Securities team in 2002 after eight years of experience in the fields of Asset Liability Management and Economic Forecasting. During his banking career, he has worked for financial institutions as large as $5 billion in assets.
James developed and manages ALMEdge®, UBB’s asset/ liability modeling product. This product is currently used by over 250 community banks in 13 states. James hosts an annual users group conference which regularly draws over 200 community bankers from around the upper Midwest.
James is a former member of the faculty at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he taught courses in Asset/Liability Management. He is a guest commentator on Fox9 news and WCCO radio on matters of finance and economics and is a regular on the national speaking circuit for many banking and industry associations and events. Nowak specializes in the topics of risk management and economics.
James Nowak is Vice President of Risk Management. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud Minnesota. James joined the United Bankers' Bank Securities team in 2002 after eight years of experience in the fields of Asset Liability Management and Economic Forecasting. During his banking career, he has worked for financial institutions as large as $5 billion in assets.
James developed and manages ALMEdge®, UBB’s asset/ liability modeling product. This product is currently used by over 250 community banks in 13 states. James hosts an annual users group conference which regularly draws over 200 community bankers from around the upper Midwest.
James is a former member of the faculty at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he taught courses in Asset/Liability Management. He is a guest commentator on Fox9 news and WCCO radio on matters of finance and economics and is a regular on the national speaking circuit for many banking and industry associations and events. Nowak specializes in the topics of risk management and economics.
Karen Neeley, General Counsel, IBAT
Karen Neeley has more than 40 of experience under her belt and is widely known throughout the Texas financial institution community as an expert in regulatory and compliance law. That expertise has enabled her to provide services to an array of businesses that are increasingly becoming subject to complex federal regulatory schemes. Located in Austin, Neeley is a regular at the Texas Capitol and Texas Finance Commission, where she has represented the banking industry for 30-plus years. During that time, she has drafted legislation, testified on critical issues and generally represented the industry. At the same time, her name and comments are well known to a myriad of Washington regulators. Neeley is currently general counsel at IBAT.
Karen Neeley has more than 40 of experience under her belt and is widely known throughout the Texas financial institution community as an expert in regulatory and compliance law. That expertise has enabled her to provide services to an array of businesses that are increasingly becoming subject to complex federal regulatory schemes. Located in Austin, Neeley is a regular at the Texas Capitol and Texas Finance Commission, where she has represented the banking industry for 30-plus years. During that time, she has drafted legislation, testified on critical issues and generally represented the industry. At the same time, her name and comments are well known to a myriad of Washington regulators. Neeley is currently general counsel at IBAT.
Roberta Hollinshead, WA Department of Financial Institutions
Roberta S. Hollinshead was appointed as Director of Banks for Washington DFI on December 1, 2016. As Director, she is responsible for chartering and supervising the activities of all Washington state-chartered commercial banks and trust companies. Roberta works closely with stakeholders to promote sound economic development in the banking industry supporting a prosperous economy in Washington.
Roberta’s tenure with DFI began in July of 2001 as a financial examiner. Roberta worked her way up the ranks and prior to becoming the Director she served as the Chief of Examinations for the Division of Banks.
Roberta holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration, with a Finance concentration, from the University of Washington. In addition, Roberta has a Master’s in Business Administration from Seattle University and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.
Roberta S. Hollinshead was appointed as Director of Banks for Washington DFI on December 1, 2016. As Director, she is responsible for chartering and supervising the activities of all Washington state-chartered commercial banks and trust companies. Roberta works closely with stakeholders to promote sound economic development in the banking industry supporting a prosperous economy in Washington.
Roberta’s tenure with DFI began in July of 2001 as a financial examiner. Roberta worked her way up the ranks and prior to becoming the Director she served as the Chief of Examinations for the Division of Banks.
Roberta holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration, with a Finance concentration, from the University of Washington. In addition, Roberta has a Master’s in Business Administration from Seattle University and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.
Brad Tower, Phillips Burgess Government Relations
Brad Tower is a second generation governmental affairs professional with more than 15 years’ experience in contract lobbying. The Olympia native has effectively advocated for a wide variety of interests in this state, including those of health care professionals and facilities, manufacturing companies, agricultural concerns, local governments, retail businesses, financial institutions, and victims of crime.
An accomplished writer and regular contributor to numerous trade publications and the media, Brad maintains a year-round presence in the state capitol, nurturing relationships with legislative and administrative agency staff members. He is a recipient of the Association of Washington Business (AWB) Ron Gjerde Award for outstanding contributions to the business community by a lobbyist.
In addition to lobbying, Brad has created a web-based legislative tracking and reporting service widely used by Washington’s top tier governmental affairs professionals (www.legitrak.org). He also contributes time in the community as a football coach for Thurston County Youth Football League and YMCA Flag Football, a regular blood donor, and an advisory board member for Raise for Rowyn, a nonprofit supporting families dealing with the death of a child.
A High Honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the recurrent political campaign volunteer is a repeat presenter on effective advocacy strategies and the role of lobbyists in public policy at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs, the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute, and Seattle University School of Law.
Brad Tower is a second generation governmental affairs professional with more than 15 years’ experience in contract lobbying. The Olympia native has effectively advocated for a wide variety of interests in this state, including those of health care professionals and facilities, manufacturing companies, agricultural concerns, local governments, retail businesses, financial institutions, and victims of crime.
An accomplished writer and regular contributor to numerous trade publications and the media, Brad maintains a year-round presence in the state capitol, nurturing relationships with legislative and administrative agency staff members. He is a recipient of the Association of Washington Business (AWB) Ron Gjerde Award for outstanding contributions to the business community by a lobbyist.
In addition to lobbying, Brad has created a web-based legislative tracking and reporting service widely used by Washington’s top tier governmental affairs professionals (www.legitrak.org). He also contributes time in the community as a football coach for Thurston County Youth Football League and YMCA Flag Football, a regular blood donor, and an advisory board member for Raise for Rowyn, a nonprofit supporting families dealing with the death of a child.
A High Honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the recurrent political campaign volunteer is a repeat presenter on effective advocacy strategies and the role of lobbyists in public policy at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs, the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute, and Seattle University School of Law.
Troy Nichols, Phillips Burgess Government RelationsTroy brings to Phillips Burgess Government Relations more than two decades of public policy and campaign experience throughout the Pacific Northwest. His solid record of accomplishment at the local, state, and national levels in both Oregon and Washington State has earned him the reputation of a hard-working and successful advocate for a wide variety of interests.
Troy's broad experience includes serving as Washington State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), where he advocated for small business interests in the Washington State Legislature and was responsible for spreading a pro-small business message throughout the state.
Following his success at NFIB, he was tapped to serve as the Director of Policy Development for the Washington House Republican Caucus, where he coordinated the caucus legislative agenda and managed a staff of ten policy analysts. He was also the caucus staff liaison for the House Capital Budget Committee, helping to negotiate and pass several multi-billion dollar capital budgets during his tenure.
Most recently, Troy led the Olympia Master Builders (OMB), a five-county trade association, as Executive Officer. During his term of service, he helped stop the Association's decade-long decline in membership, balanced its annual budget for two years in a row, revamped existing programs, added significant new events, and racked up an impressive string of local policy and electoral victories. Perhaps his most notable accomplishment was helping to lead a coalition of interests in bringing a successful legal challenge against Thurston County's Mazama Pocket Gopher Interim Screening Process.
A native of Oregon, Troy quickly climbed the political ranks, starting out in 1995 as a legislative assistant in the Oregon State Senate. From there, Troy spent several years in Eastern Oregon, working as a field representative for US Senator Gordon Smith and Congressman Greg Walden.
Troy returned to Salem in 2001 to become the policy director for the Oregon House Republican Majority Leader. He also successfully directed the Oregon House Republican campaign efforts in 2002 and 2004, leading the caucus to its largest majority in three decades during the 2002 election cycle. He eventually served as Chief of Staff to the Oregon House Majority Leader and the Speaker of the Oregon House, and during that time he was also elected to serve on the Keizer City Council.
Outside of work, Troy enjoys attending live sporting events, concerts, and travelling. He is an assistant T-Ball coach for his son's Capitol Little League team. He was also a founding member of The Roanoke Conference, the annual must-attend event in Ocean Shores, Washington, for center-right political enthusiasts throughout Washington. Troy and his wife Julie recently finished building a new home in the Olympia area, where they live with their two young children.
Troy's broad experience includes serving as Washington State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), where he advocated for small business interests in the Washington State Legislature and was responsible for spreading a pro-small business message throughout the state.
Following his success at NFIB, he was tapped to serve as the Director of Policy Development for the Washington House Republican Caucus, where he coordinated the caucus legislative agenda and managed a staff of ten policy analysts. He was also the caucus staff liaison for the House Capital Budget Committee, helping to negotiate and pass several multi-billion dollar capital budgets during his tenure.
Most recently, Troy led the Olympia Master Builders (OMB), a five-county trade association, as Executive Officer. During his term of service, he helped stop the Association's decade-long decline in membership, balanced its annual budget for two years in a row, revamped existing programs, added significant new events, and racked up an impressive string of local policy and electoral victories. Perhaps his most notable accomplishment was helping to lead a coalition of interests in bringing a successful legal challenge against Thurston County's Mazama Pocket Gopher Interim Screening Process.
A native of Oregon, Troy quickly climbed the political ranks, starting out in 1995 as a legislative assistant in the Oregon State Senate. From there, Troy spent several years in Eastern Oregon, working as a field representative for US Senator Gordon Smith and Congressman Greg Walden.
Troy returned to Salem in 2001 to become the policy director for the Oregon House Republican Majority Leader. He also successfully directed the Oregon House Republican campaign efforts in 2002 and 2004, leading the caucus to its largest majority in three decades during the 2002 election cycle. He eventually served as Chief of Staff to the Oregon House Majority Leader and the Speaker of the Oregon House, and during that time he was also elected to serve on the Keizer City Council.
Outside of work, Troy enjoys attending live sporting events, concerts, and travelling. He is an assistant T-Ball coach for his son's Capitol Little League team. He was also a founding member of The Roanoke Conference, the annual must-attend event in Ocean Shores, Washington, for center-right political enthusiasts throughout Washington. Troy and his wife Julie recently finished building a new home in the Olympia area, where they live with their two young children.
