ICBA Announces Staff Promotions

January 2, 2019         By: Payment Week

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 2, 2019)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced several staff promotions, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Kevin Tweddle was named chief operating officer for the ICBA Services Network; Rhonda Thomas-Whitley and Michael Emancipator were named vice president and regulatory counsel; and Erika Brereton was named director of marketing project management and video production.

“ICBA commends these highly respected and dedicated professionals for their contributions in helping foster an environment where community banks, their customers and their communities flourish,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainy said. “Congratulations Kevin, Rhonda, Michael and Erika on this well-deserved recognition. We are fortunate to have such talented men and women engaged in ICBA’s ongoing mission and working to serve the needs of community bankers across the country.”

Tweddle’s expanded title reflects increasing responsibilities since joining ICBA in 2017 as group executive vice president of innovation and financial technology. In his new role as chief operating officer, he will provide leadership, management and vision for the Services Network. Tweddle will also continue to drive ICBA’s innovation, change management and financial technology strategies, which are well underway thanks to his leadership. Recent ICBA initiatives include the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator in partnership with The Venture Center and the newly announced ICBA ThinkTECH Network powered by FinXTech Connect, which will launch in early 2019.

As part of ICBA’s government relations team, Thomas-Whitley and Emancipator will continue advocating on behalf of the nation’s community banks to ensure their voice is represented throughout the policymaking process. Thomas-Whitley’s areas of responsibility include consumer regulation and compliance and payments law. Emancipator’s areas of expertise include consumer financial regulation and community development law.

As part of ICBA’s marketing and communications team, Brereton will continue to apply her video production and project management skillset to produce creative, compelling content that furthers the community bank story, encourages engagement, and expands ICBA’s digital footprint.

For more information and full bios, visit www.icba.org.


About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. With more than 52,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute 99 percent of all banks, employ more than 760,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in five U.S. counties. Holding more than $4.9 trillion in assets, $3.9 trillion in deposits, and $3.4 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.