First National Bank of Sycamore announces Keller retirement

SYCAMORE --- Following a very distinguished banking career of 42 years with more than thirty-five years at First National Bank of Sycamore, Dean Keller, President, and CEO of First National Bank of Sycamore, is retiring on Dec. 1, 2022. Keller is only the seventh president in the history of the bank. His predecessors were Meric Vance, 1919-1940; Dr. C. W. Montgomery, 1941-1945; George Lust, 1946-1957; Paul Konkle, 1958-1970; Keith Mohr, 1971-1994; and Fred Malone, 1994-1999. Prior to his time at First National Bank of Sycamore, Keller started his banking career at American Savings Bank in Upper Sandusky. He began at First National Bank of Sycamore as a loan officer in 1987 and became President in 1999. Under his leadership, the asset size of First National Bank of Sycamore grew from $61,247,000 to $194,000,000. Raised in Sycamore, son of Marilyn, and the late Clarence Keller, a Mohawk High School and University of Findlay graduate, Dean has always believed in the mission of community banks and supporting the community. He loved helping local business owners and farmers succeed by providing critical banking services that larger banks often would not. He always had the best interest in mind for the customer and always took the time to help them when needed. His involvement and support of local schools, churches, and civic organizations were unparalleled. Often, donations the bank made went unmentioned to the public, as Keller did not want the attention focused on the bank. Keller served on many boards over his career. He previously held the office of Chairman and Director of the Community Bankers Association of Ohio (CBAO), Legislative Committee Member at Independent Community Bankers of America, (ICBA) President of CASA of Seneca, Sandusky, and Wyandot Counties, Charter Member of Wyandot County Office of Economic Development, Chair and Board Member of Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership (TSEP) and served on many other local boards. He also was a Sycamore Fireman and EMT for Sycamore Volunteer Fire Department for twenty-eight years and served as the Treasurer of the Sycamore Summer Fest. He was instrumental in revitalizing the Sycamore Business Association in 2017, serving as President. He received the Wyandot County Chamber of Commerce "Bright Star" award in 2019. During his tenure, he guided the main location expansion project in Sycamore by increasing the original footprint of the bank from 3,500 square feet to the current downtown Sycamore landmark encompassing 10,500 square feet. He then oversaw the opening of First National Bank of Sycamore's fourth location, opening a Loan Office in Tiffin, which transitioned to a full-service branch in Tiffin in 2020. He led the bank through many changes in the banking industry while still being customer- and community-focused. Keller will continue to serve on the bank's Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board and provide his leadership and knowledge to the Board and incoming President & CEO, Jerry Weininger, who assumes his role on December 1. Keller resides in rural Sycamore with his wife, Judy, and he has two grown daughters, Nikki (Tim) Dyer and Cristie (Chris) Wilt. Five grandchildren complete his family. First National Bank of Sycamore is a locally owned, independent community bank with locations in Sycamore, McCutchenville, New Riegel, and Tiffin.