Joe Close Promoted to President at Country Club Bank

Country Club Bank recently announced several executive personnel changes, the biggest being Joe Close’s promotion to president, in an increasingly competitive Kansas City banking environment.

Close, formerly Metro regional president and chair of the regional presidents’ council, takes the title from Chairman and CEO Paul Thompson, who will remain in those roles. A commercial-lending specialist, he joined Country Club, which oversaw $1.4 billion in assets as of the end of last year, and has 30 years of industry experience and joined the institution in 2002. In his new role, Close will “oversee the direction and administration of commercial programs, products, and services provided by the Bank, and will ensure that all aspects of the Bank’s activities provide the highest level of customer relations and service,” according to a company statement.

In addition, the bank’s management announced several other new hires and promotions. David Caffrey was promoted to chief lending officer from South KC regional president and Bob Healy is now chief credit officer, from chief credit risk officer. Christee Highbarger, hired from HNTB Corp., now has succeeded John Rolf as chief risk officer. Two additional hires were Angela Stewart, director of consumer banking, and Terence Fitzpatrick, associate general counsel.