Leadership & Staff
CBA Officers 2011-2012
Chairman - Keith Dickelman, Home State Bank
Keith Dickelman has 22 years of banking experience starting with First Interstate Bank in Fargo North Dakota as a business banker. Community First Bankshares acquired First Interstate in 1992 and Bank of the West acquired Community First in 2004. He spent three years as a market president for Community First in Fergus Falls Minnesota. Dickelman relocated to Colorado in 1998 serving as market manager for Community First and Bank of the West. His aggregate financial services industry experience totals 30 years. Dickelman has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Moorhead State University in Moorhead Minnesota and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado in 1995.
Chairman Elect - Bruce Alexander, Vectra Bank
An advocate of individual development and team success in pursuit of organizational goals, Alexander leads Vectra Bank by drawing on a diverse background that incorporates marketing, finance, strategic planning and personnel management skills. Prior to leading Vectra, Alexander was executive director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA), and spent 20 years managing other banks and serving as president of another Colorado financial institution.
Treasurer - Koger Propst, Sturm Financial Group and ANB Bank
As president of ANB Bank, Koger Propst, a Colorado native, brings more than 30 years of experience in community banks. Koger began his banking career while still in college. He went on to serve in various branch and market leadership roles with FirstBank in Silverthorne, Fort Collins and Breckenridge. Most recently he was president of the bank's largest regional market in Lakewood, representing more than one billion dollars in assets. Koger grew up on a ranch in Merino, CO that was homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1876. He earned his bachelor's in business administration from University of Denver. He continued his education at the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. Remaining active in the communities where he lives, Koger serves in board roles with the Community First Foundation, The Nature Conservancy of Colorado, and Exempla Health Care.
CBA Staff Leadership
Don Childears, President & CEO
President/CEO of the Colorado Bankers Association, Don Childears has served CBA since 1975, preceded by legislative and campaign work for a Congressman. He’s completed his Juris Doctor from University of Denver College of Law, and BSBA from Colorado State University, where he was student body president. Community activities vary including: First Amendment Council, Referenda C & D Finance Committee, Civil Justice League, Governor’s Y2K TF, Kids Voting, Housing Council, two graduate schools of banking, and political activities and campaigns. Business activities include ABA BankPac, Colorado Competitive Council Steering Committee, BancInsure, a publishing company, a network predating the internet, and a burglar alarm company. He frequently speaks (NBC Nightly News, ABA’s Annual Convention) and teaches government, political influence, and banking. Numerous awards include a Special Tribute by U.S. Senator Allard. He’s from Saguache (rural Colorado town) and is married to Linda, President of the Daniels Fund ($1.1B charitable foundation) and previous President of the Young Americans Bank (youth financial literacy pioneer) in Denver.
Jenifer Waller, Senior Vice President
Since 1999, Jenifer has maintained the position of Senior Vice-President in the Colorado Bankers Association. Jenifer started in community banking in Southern Colorado in 1985 and attended the Western States School of Banking. Prior to her days at CBA, Jenifer spent almost five years as a bank examiner for the Colorado Division of Banking. In order to spend more time with her son, Jenifer took a brief leave of absence from her career life. But when she returned to work, she re-entered her career as a banking consultant. Jenifer is involved with numerous financial literacy organizations; serving as board member of Jumpstart, team member of Bank on Denver, Mi Casa Financial Services Advisory Group, and The Denver Economic Prosperity Task Force. Jenifer enjoys politics and volunteering for campaigns. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her two sons Joe and Travis reading and playing basketball.
Amanda Rogowski, Director of Marketing
Amanda Rogowski has been with the Colorado Bankers Association as Director of Marketing since the spring of 2000. Among other roles, she is actively involved in the creation of the Colorado Bankers bi-monthly magazine, is in charge of CBA’s many educational offerings, and plans various activities throughout the year including their annual convention and legislative luncheon. She received her Bachelor of Applied Human Sciences at Colorado State University in 1997. She has lived overseas in Mexico City and Rome, and has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce at their American Embassies. She has lived in Colorado most of her life and is married to Mark Rogowski, a jet engine mechanic with the Colorado Air National Guard.
Caroline Joy, Director of Communications
Caroline Joy has been the Director of Communications for the Colorado Bankers Association since summer 2011. She truly enjoys the research and informational aspect of her position, as well as developing and executing CBA’s communication strategy. Prior to her work at CBA, she worked for 11 years in the marketing and communications field, eight of them in the financial industry. Most recently she was a Grants Specialist for the Children’s Museum of Denver. She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. When she is not working, Caroline enjoys spending time with her children Will, Bridget and Teddy. She is an avid reader and loves socializing with her family and friends.