“This year marked our 70^th year as a locally owned institution, and we have proudly celebrated each of the transformational moments that have occurred since our humble beginning in 1948,” says Paducah Bank President and COO Mardie Herndon. “I am pleased to announce the formation of the Paducah Bank Community Board. This too will be a transformational moment which we will celebrate in coming years.”
 
“These individuals not only represent the emerging young professional segment of our community, but they proudly represent and support the mission of our institution,” says Herndon. “As we continually focus on providing a unique and distinct client experience, guidance from the Community Board will allow us to be creatively responsive to needs of our clients.” 
 
Board members are nominated by bank employees and approved by the Paducah Bank Board of Directors. The Board will meet four times a year, and members will serve a two-year term.
 
“We are extremely proud of our seven decades of fostering meaningful relationships, and we are even more optimistic about what the future holds for our company, clients and communities,” he says. “This impressive group of leaders will have a meaningful impact upon the success of our company.  There is no doubt that our best days are in front of us and the Community Board will provide an empowering transition point for our institution… WOW!”
 
The Board will meet regularly with Bank leadership to discuss community concerns, give insight into customer service at the bank, help identify potential growth and relationships, and to identify opportunities for the bank to improve the local economy and serve the community.
 
2018 Community Board Members are:
 
Whitney Cruse, Vice President of Barge Logistics for Marquette Transportation, LLC
Cruse earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University in Business Administration. She is involved in various community organizations including Charity League of Paducah (Past President and Public Relations), Kicks for Kids, Easter Seals West Kentucky Board of Directors, founding member of Women in Maritime Operations Organization, and a founding member of Paducah Professional Women Organization.
 
Katie Englert, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and owner of Compass Counseling
Englert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Kentucky and an MAE from Western Kentucky University in Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a member of Lone Oak First Baptist Church. She is also a member of Paducah Leadership Class #30, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, Paducah Young Professionals, Kentucky Counseling Association, and Impact Chapter of BNI. 


Cory Hicks, Business Director for Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership
Hicks earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma.  He worked for former Congressman Ed Whitfield for nearly ten years, including as the Congressman’s Chief of Staff.  In June 2017, Hicks was named the Business Director for the Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, which is contracted to a10-year cleanup at the DOE site. Hicks serves on the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Board and is Chairman of the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee. He also serves on the Paducah Economic Development Board.
 
Nick Morris, Risk Advisor, CLCS, Peel and Holland

As a Risk Advisor at Peel and Holland, Morris helps ensure his clients are protected and positioned for long-term success. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Safety and Health from Murray State University. He is the Vice President of Kiwanis of Downtown Paducah, a member of AGC of Western Kentucky Board of Directors, a member of Leadership Paducah Foundation Board of Directors, a member of PYP Board of Directors, and a member of the Baptist Health Foundation.

 
Tara Wise Sawvel, Executive Sales Representative, Lilly USA, Incorporated
Sawvel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Western Kentucky University and a Masters of Arts in International Communications from University of Leeds, England. Sawvel has been with Lilly USA since 2007, where she educates health care professionals across western Kentucky on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of over twenty oral and injectable pharmaceutical products ultimately helping patients feel better and live longer, healthier lives. She previously worked as a Senior Sales Representative for GlaxoSmithKline in Nashville, TN and as a Channel Marketing Manager for Silicon Graphics Incorporated in Mountain View, CA. She currently serves on the Paducah Head Start Policy Council, on the Clark Elementary School’s Site Based Decision Making Board, and she is a member of Broadway United Methodist Church.
 
Matt Snow, Executive Director of Facilities, Baptist Health
Snow earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Governors University in 2016, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University Kentucky in 2008, and an Associate of Science from West Kentucky Community and Technical College in 2006. He is certified as a Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager, and a LEED Accredited Professional.  Matt was recently named the 2017 Young Leader of the Year by the 4 Rivers Business Journal, the 2017 Regional Leader by the American Society of Healthcare Engineering, and a Kentucky Colonel in 2016.  He participated in the Leadership Kentucky program in 2016 and the Leadership Paducah program in 2013.  Matt has served as the Co-Chair of Paducah Young Professionals, the President of the Leadership Paducah Foundation, President-Elect of the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance, member of the United Way Board of Directors, and as a member of the Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers Board of Directors.  
 
 
George Wilson, Athlete, Philanthropist, Model and Actor, Motivational Speaker, George Wilson S.A.F.E.T.Y. Foundation
Wilson is a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School and attended the University of Arkansas on an academic scholarship and as a walk-on to the Arkansas Razorbacks football team. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration Management and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent wide receiver with the Detroit Lions in 2004. He went on to play for the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans before retiring after 11 years in the NFL. His story of strength and dedication led to a career as a motivational speaker and eventually to the creation of the George Wilson S.A.F.E.T.Y. Foundation. The goal of the Foundation is to Save Adolescents From the Everyday Trials of Youth. George’s humanitarianism and focus on bettering his community and the lives of others earned him the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2009 and 2011. In 2011, George became the recipient of the President’s Council on Fitness Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award, which is an award given annually to individuals who improve the lives of people within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities, fitness or nutrition-related programs.