Sturgis Bank announces the formation of a Community Board of Directors for their southern Berrien County market. Members include Brian French, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, French Paper Company; Rick McKeel, Owner, RLM Business Consulting; and Sara Senica, Owner, Law Office of Sara A. Senica. Jeff Curry, a member of the northern Berrien County Community Board of Directors for Sturgis Bank since 2020, has transferred to the new board.
Bob Burch, Senior Vice President and Berrien County Community President for Sturgis Bank, said, “We are thrilled to have these excellent community leaders join our new board of directors. We continue to build a strong team to serve our customers in the greater southwest Michigan area, and the counsel of our new board members will help us best serve the needs of our business and retail customers.”
Jason Hyska, CEO of Sturgis Bank, said “The formation of the South Berrien County Community Board for Sturgis Bank aligns with our dedicated support to the hometowns we serve and focus on local decision-making. We appreciate the business leaders who are committed to helping their communities grow by partnering with us and providing their local point of view.”
Brian French is a lifelong resident of Niles and works as a marketing consultant. As the sixth generation of his family to work at French Paper Company, Brian traveled the country promoting and selling high-end papers to the print and packaging markets. A graduate of Niles High School and Michigan State University, Brian loves helping small businesses thrive and also volunteers for the YMCA and the Wood Foundation.
Jeff Curry has lived in southwest Michigan his entire life and has been a member of a Sturgis Bank community board since April 2021. He is the retired President of Express-1 of Buchanan and Premium Transportation Logistics of Benton Harbor. Jeff has significant experience in senior leadership for financial services businesses and extensive volunteer board service for K-12 and higher education organizations.
Rick McKeel is a lifelong resident of Niles and owner of RLM Business Consulting. He was President and CEO of New Carbon Company, LLC, makers of F.S. Carbon waffle products, for more than a decade, helping grow the company into a national brand serving hotels, restaurants, schools, and individual consumers. He is a graduate of Niles High School and Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Rick has been an integral part of the Niles community, having served as Varsity Softball Coach at Niles High School for more than 10 years, an announcer for Niles High School Football and Basketball programs for more than 20 years, and as a Niles Community School Board member.
Sara Senica has been a practicing attorney for twenty years, opening her own practice in 2011. She serves as general legal counsel for several municipalities in southwest Michigan. Sara graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Valparaiso University School of Law. She serves on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Michiana, the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, the Hunter Foundation, and the Greater Niles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Burch, Hyska, Sturgis Bank President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Scheske, and Patrick Swem, Vice President, Commercial Lending are also members of the Sturgis Bank South Berrien County Community Board of Directors.
