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Leighton State Bank has been operating under new leadership since the beginning of the year. Steve Fopma was promoted to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank in January when previous CEO Bill Bruxvoort retired. Fopma says that out of his many duties as President and CEO, managing people is his most important task.

“As the President and CEO, of course you try and set the overall strategic direction of the bank. I work with the board and try to establish culture and the way we try to carry out service and do business,” says Fopma. “I see my role in those areas as there’s some things I can do, but more-so I have to encourage and challenge my staff, and that’s where I spend a lot of my time each day is trying to get my staff to do the things that they can do far better than I can do myself.”

He says the ability to do what is best for the community and the needs of their customers is his favorite aspect of leading a community bank.

We have a lot of latitude and a lot of freedom to be able to do what we think is right and what we know is right in the community, and really respond to the needs of the community; and I so much appreciate that working for Leighton State Bank,” said Fopma. “It’s just a joy to work in that kind of environment where you can respond to the needs of the community.”

Steve Fopma has been with Leighton State Bank since 1997, when the bank’s branch in Pella opened, and has served as office manager and senior lender. The bank has branches in Leighton and Pella.