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Monday, March 30, 2026/Categories: Bank News
At Community First Bank, planning has always been about more than growth. It is about making sure the Bank remains strong, steady, and ready to serve customers and communities for generations to come.
That is why Community First Bank is sharing an important leadership update that reflects years of thoughtful succession planning and a continued commitment to stability, service, and local decision-making.
Effective March 18, 2026, the Community First Bank Board of Directors approved a leadership transition that moves Dan Klahn from his dual role as President and Chief Executive Officer into a dedicated role as Chief Executive Officer. At the same time, the Board appointed Kevin Raisbeck as President of Community First Bank.
While the titles are changing, the Bank’s purpose remains the same. This transition is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, support continued growth, and help Community First Bank stay focused on what matters most: serving customers well and supporting the community we call home.
In his role as CEO, Dan will continue leading the Bank’s strategic direction, long-term vision, and enterprise-wide risk management. With a more focused CEO role, he will be able to spend even more time helping position Community First Bank for the future while preserving the community-centered values that have long defined the organization.
As Dan shared, this leadership transition is part of a long-term plan to deepen the Bank’s leadership capacity and strengthen its ability to serve customers, employees, and communities for decades to come.
For customers and communities, this transition represents something important: continuity. It reflects a proactive approach to leadership that helps ensure the Bank remains strong, stable, and relationship focused as it continues to grow and evolve.
Before being named President, Kevin served as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending & Business Development Officer at Community First Bank. In that role, he has already been deeply involved in the Bank’s leadership, growth, customer relationships, and strategic direction. He understands the organization not only from a leadership perspective, but also through firsthand experience living out Community First Bank’s mission, vision, and values.
That makes this transition feel less like a change in direction and more like the next step in a thoughtful plan already underway.
As President, Kevin will oversee the Bank’s day-to-day operations, including retail banking, mortgage lending, commercial and agricultural banking, wealth management, deposit services, customer experience, marketing, and information security. He will work closely with Dan and the senior leadership team to continue building momentum around growth, innovation, and community service.
Kevin brings more than 20 years of financial services experience to the role, along with a strong understanding of Community First Bank’s customers, culture, and commitment to local relationships.
In announcing the transition, Kevin shared that succession planning is essential for the long-term strength and stability of community banks, and that he is proud of the thoughtful approach Community First Bank has taken. He also emphasized that, as a true community bank, the organization’s focus has always been and will continue to be supporting customers and strengthening the communities it serves.
Community First Bank Board Chair Tom Gildersleeve also expressed confidence in the transition and in the leadership, guiding the Bank forward.
His message reflects the heart of what this announcement is about: making sure Community First Bank is positioned for sustainable growth while preserving the strong community bank identity that customers know and trust.
That identity matters. Community First Bank has built its reputation by combining strong financial leadership with local commitment, personal service, and a clear focus on helping customers, businesses, and families succeed.
This transition supports that same promise. It strengthens the Bank’s ability to move forward while staying grounded in the values that have shaped it all along.
Leadership transitions can be significant moments for any organization, but at Community First Bank, this one is rooted in preparation, confidence, and continuity.
It is the result of careful planning over several years and reflects the Bank’s commitment to growing thoughtfully while staying true to the values that customers have come to trust.
As Community First Bank continues to invest in its future, customers can expect the same dedication to integrity, local relationships, and exceptional service that has guided the Bank for generations.