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During the Oregon Bank Leadership Symposium held this week, the Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) announced that Chris Hemmings, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Summit Bank, is the 2023 recipient of the Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award. The Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award is named after one of the most passionate advocates in the history of Oregon banking, the late Frank Brawner, CEO of OBA for 24 years beginning in 1974. The award recognizes bankers who’ve had an outsized role in advocating for the Oregon banking industry. The top priority of the Oregon Bankers Association is advocacy on behalf of its member banks and the communities they serve. This includes lobbying at the state level, regulatory relations, federal legislative advocacy, media and public relations, political engagement and other grassroots efforts. Hemmings has been thoughtful and generous in his role as a banking industry advocate. From the halls of Congress to the corridors of the Oregon State Capitol, Hemmings blends banking expertise, passion and good humor to make sure legislators know how the passage of laws impacts the communities banks serve. He also opens the doors to Summit Bank for legislator visits and advocates for careers in banking among student groups. In addition to his advocacy work in Salem and D.C., Hemmings currently serves as an Oregon BankPAC Trustee and as a member of OBA’s Government Relations Committee, which he will chair beginning in January. While presenting the award to Hemmings, OBA Senior Vice President and Government Affairs Director Kevin Christiansen commented, “It goes without saying that we’re exceptionally fortunate to have Chris as an advocacy leader for the Oregon banking community. Whenever we’ve asked, he has answered the advocacy call.” Since its creation in 2015, the Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award has been bestowed to nine individuals who have been outstanding advocates for the Oregon banking industry. OBA’s Linda Navarro (left) and Kevin Christiansen (right) pictured with the 2023 Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award recipient Chris Hemmings (center), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Summit Bank.
OBA’s Linda Navarro (left) and Kevin Christiansen (right) pictured with the 2023 Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award recipient Chris Hemmings (center), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Summit Bank.