Jefferson Security Bank’s Board of Directors recently appointed their first female president and CEO, Cynthia Kitner. The title became official on March 16.
A certified public accountant with more than 18 years of banking experience in both public and private sector accounting, Kitner joined JSB in 2005, and has served as the executive vice president and CFO since March 2007. Prior to that time, she served as the senior vice president and CFO.
Kitner also holds the positions of risk management officer, compliance officer, customer information security program coordinator, community reinvestment act officer, and corporate secretary. In her more than 10 years with JSB, Kitner has provided mentoring and leadership for several departments, including human resources, information technology, and loan review.
We sat down with her to discuss this career milestone.
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MC: You grew up in Berkeley County and ended up going to Shepherd College.
Kitner: Yes, and while in high school and college, I worked for Bechdel Jewelers—where I gained a strong appreciation and understanding of the benefits of small businesses in our community. I then began my career in public accounting after graduating from Shepherd (University) .
MC: Did the accounting work inevitably prepare your for a career in banking?
Kitner: It did. Through my exposure to different industries while in public accounting, I found my passion for community banking. As my husband and I expanded our family, it became apparent that working for a local community bank could provide a better work-life balance than the growing demands related to working with financial institutions across multiple states.
MC: What does it mean to you to not only takeover as president and CEO at JSB, but to be the first woman to do so?
Kitner: It is a huge honor and privilege to hold the position of president and CEO—specifically for the oldest corporation in West Virginia. Women in many industries have proven their abilities to advance in corporate America, and I’m excited to be a part of this advancement. I hope that I can inspire others to write their own success stories.
MC: What does the future hold for JSB in relation to this region’s growth?
Kitner: With the growth and expansion of our region, JSB is focused on providing our customers with multiple avenues to conduct their business. We are here for those who prefer to bank in person, and those who are comfortable banking on the go. One aspect of this commitment that is visible to our customers is our new www.jsb.bank web address. The use of .bank is only available to verified members of the banking industry who have met advanced security requirements.
MC: What is life like when you’re not wearing your JSB hat(s)?
Kitner: I can honestly say that without the support of my family, my success would not be possible. This summer, my husband and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Together, we stay active with our two sons and three dogs. We enjoy getting away and focusing on our time together. Some of the most enjoyable times for us are trips to the beach and long drives to visit family in southeast Kansas—with many stops along the way.
By Mike Chalmers