Harry L. “Sonny” Jennings Director and Board Secretary First State Community Bank, Farmington
Born and raised in Farmington, Sonny Jennings graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s in forest products marketing. He returned to his hometown to work for his family’s lumberyard business. B.H. Jennings, his grandfather, started First
State Bank of Farmington in 1954. Jennings joined the board in 1971 and has served as secretary of the board since then. When Jennings began his board service, there were only two locations and about $15 million in total assets. Today, First State Community Bank has 58 locations and $3.8 billion in total assets.
A U.S. Army veteran, Jennings and his wife, Elma, have three sons, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mary Jensen Residential Lending, Post-Closing Guaranty Bank, Springfield
Mary Jensen began her banking career with Guaranty Bank in 1972. She started work with the insurance agency that the bank owned. When the bank transitioned out of the insurance business in 1996, Jensen continued to handle the bank’s insurance as she moved into an investment advisory role. In 2002, Jensen transitioned to mortgage lending and handles the post-closing documentation for the bank and mortgage investors. Jensen has found her niche in the detailed work of mortgage lending and has enjoyed seeing more customers be able to purchase or refinance their homes during the last few years. She attributes her longevity in banking and at Guaranty Bank to working with a team of bankers who respect each other and leaders who genuinely care for their employees.
She and her husband, Erik, have been married for 42 years. Jensen enjoys her “fur babies” and being outside.
THE MISSOURI BANKER 27
John R. Marks Director First Independent Bank, Aurora
John Marks began his banking career in 1971 aſter graduation from Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield. He first worked in the bookkeeping department and as a teller at First National Bank in Mount Vernon. Aſter several years, Marks was employed at
Charter Bank in Aurora and Great Southern Saving and Loan in Branson. For the last 36 years, Marks has worked at the same bank under three different ownerships. Te Bank of Seligman was renamed First Independent Bank in September 1993 to underscore a personal, independent, community-minded approach to banking. Now semiretired, Marks works two days a week.
Marks stays active with his daughter and two grandchildren.
John M. McIlroy Jr. Chairman of the Board Community State Bank of Missouri, Bowling Green
A native of Bowling Green, John McIlroy Jr. graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1966 with a bachelor of science in accounting and a juris doctorate in 1969. Aſter graduation, McIlroy practiced law with his father and brother, beginning in 1969 until his retirement in 2005. McIlroy was elected to the board of directors at Community State Bank of Missouri in 1972. When his father retired in 1993, McIlroy was elected chairman of the board, a position he still serves. He is proud of how the bank has contributed to the community’s economy.
A U.S. Army veteran, McIlroy served a year in Vietnam. He and Paula, his wife of 55 years, are active horse riders.
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