Right out of college, in 1982, Steve began working at the local community bank in Lincoln, which his father, Karl Kroenke, and others owned at the time, Farmers Bank of Lincoln. Karl started his career at the bank in 1953 and retired as president and chairman. Karl remained as chairman until 2020, when he retired from the board. Karl’s devotion to the industry and service to the community have been an inspiration to Steve throughout his career. 

As a second-generation banker, Steve was proud to carry on the legacy his father had started. Over the 38 years at the bank, Steve held positions ranging from loan officer, cashier and EVP. In 2000, Farmers Bank became entirely family-owned. Steve became president and CEO at that time. Together, Steve, his father and his brothers ran the bank — with two locations in Lincoln and Warsaw — always keeping a focus on serving the local community. 

“It’s no secret that there are many challenges that come with operating an independent community bank. However, there are many positive aspects to it, like the staff and officers I was fortunate enough to work with on a daily basis,” reflected Steve. 

When the opportunity for a merger came up in 2019, the family had the best interests of its employees and customers in mind. They spent considerable time in negotiation to ensure that, although they were merging with a larger bank, the two branches, to which they dedicated their lives’ work, would still operate like a small, personable, independent community bank. 

Steve remembers a specific moment in which he, his father and his brothers sat down to discuss the pros and cons of continuing to own their small community bank. They kept coming back to the fact that they valued the fantastic people in management positions and the autonomy this allowed them.

When the merger was completed in 2020, and as Steve announced his retirement, he felt fortunate to keep part ownership of the bank and that each branch was able to maintain their autonomy. 

Though retired, Steve hasn’t stopped his involvement with the bank. He had spent years building up the community bank — essentially building up a family — and didn’t want them to feel like he was abandoning them when he retired. That’s how Steve operated as a boss; he was and is a true leader. So, when the CEO of Community National Bank & Trust, Dan Millfield, asked him to join the bank’s board, Steve was more than willing. 

Serving on the board of a $2.2 billion bank is a significant responsibility, and Steve has embraced the role. The growth that Steve and his family have been able to facilitate across the region has created its own challenges, but as a board member, he strives to maintain efficiency and compliance while retaining the community aspect for the bank.

In his free time, Steve spends time with his wife, visiting with their nearby family. He feels lucky to have his parents and mother-in-law living at assisted living facilities close by, which makes it easy for him to stop in, check on them, and spend quality time together. And when time allows, Steve enjoys Mizzou sports and the occasional round of golf at a course near where his parents live. Steve and his wife dream of one day traveling the country in their motor home, but for now, they’re fully enjoying the present and the blessing of family. 

For bankers today who would like to learn from Steve and his remarkable career, he imparts the following wisdom: “The future comes at you fast … Focus on what’s right in front of you while keeping an eye out there for when you’re farther down the road. Plan on plans changing.” Steve advises bankers to be proactive, have a plan, dictate their path and adapt when needed.

He went on to say, “You’re as good as the people who work for you. If you’re fortunate enough to have good people around you, that’s the key, because you can’t get anything done by yourself.”

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our industry, Steve. You’ve served your community and the industry well and set a remarkable example for bankers everywhere!