New Michigan exec looks forward to first full year

Northwestern Financial Review, Feb 1-Feb 14, 2004 by Hilgert, Jackie

Thrilled beyond belief is the attitude Judith Sullivan is taking into her first full year as head of the Michigan Association of Community Bankers. Sullivan was hired to lead the independent banking group in September after its longtime executive, Felix (Bud) Fliss, announced he would retire at the end of 2003.

Sullivan holds a certified association executive designation. She also enjoys an intimate relationship with the industry; she spent 10 years with the Michigan Bankers Association as its vice president of education, and has been married to the president and CEO of Alma-based First Bank Corporation, Tom Sullivan, for 24 years. Judith Sullivan most recently was president and CEO of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce.

"I've had several other careers but working with Michigan bankers was my all-time favorite so it is a joy to return to working with these people," Sullivan said. "I'm going to get out and talk to as many of our bank CEOs as I possibly can in the next year to 18 months."

Sullivan believes the industry in Michigan is in excellent shape. "We've had a good 10- to 12-year run here and we've been very fortunate," she said. "Our association fully understands what sets the community bank apart and we're proud of our role in helping community banks compete and succeed."

Jerry Collison, president and CEO of Union Bank, Lake Odessa, Mich., said Sullivan's proven record of association leadership, membership development, government and public relations, and 20-year involvement in the state's banking community will benefit MACB and its members. Collison is currently MACB's president.

During the transition between Fliss and Sullivan, the new executive focused on internal operations. "The board, Bud and I felt I had a pretty good handle on Michigan banking," Sullivan said. She just needed to learn a bit more about the operation of this particular association.

Sullivan's tenure at MBA brought her into contact with many industry-committed bankers from institutions of varied size. The really entrenched bankers, she said, were the ones who worked at community banks. Those connections plus the ones gained through her years spent "married" to the industry, formed her view of Michigan's banking community. It's very much like family, she said.

The MACB staff is comprised of four people, including Sullivan. "Doing the basics takes most of our time," Sullivan said. "Our membership is strong and of course we want to keep it that way and that's why I'll be focusing on outreach quite a bit." Her other focus will be to build a strong education component.

MACB serves 128 member banks from its office in East Lansing.

By Jackie Hilgert