Equity Bancshares, the Wichita, KS-based holding company of Equity Bank, promoted several individuals to new leadership positions within the company, following board approval in January.

First, the bank promoted Brad Daniel, Josh Means and Mark Parman to regional CEO roles. Daniel will oversee the bank’s locations in its central, western and southwest Kansas markets in addition to Arkansas. Means will lead the bank’s regions in Missouri, southeast Kansas and northern Oklahoma, and Parman will lead Equity’s metropolitan teams in Kansas City, KS; Wichita, KS; and Topeka, KS; and Tulsa, OK. Daniel, Means and Parman will continue to report to Craig Anderson, president of Equity Bank.

“As we’ve grown, we’ve maintained an entrepreneurial culture for our customers and teams in all of our locations,” Brad Elliott, chairman and CEO of Equity Bancshares, said. “It’s important for our brand to continue to deliver customized, sophisticated products and services with the feel of a nimble and dedicated community bank. Mark, Josh and Brad all serve as outstanding resources for our communities and consistently empower our teams and our brand with our mission.”

Equity also promoted John Hanley to chief marketing officer. Hanley will lead branding, advertising, public relations and digital marketing for the company. Hanley joined Equity in 2012 as senior director of marketing in Equity’s Kansas Additionally, Equity promoted Chris Navratil to senior vice president and bank CFO. Navratil joined Equity in 2018 as senior vice president of finance in the Equity’s home office in Wichita, KS, and will oversee financial performance and reporting at the bank level of the company, with Eric Newell continuing to serve as CFO of Equity Bancshares.

Equity Bank also promoted the following professionals to the positions listed below:

• Ed Nazar – Corporate Counsel, Senior Vice President. Nazar joined Equity in 2021 in Equity’s Kansas City, KS, office with a range of legal experience, Nazar concentrates on credit matters and solving customer inquiries for the company.
• Justin Harris – Regional President, Ozark Mountain. Harris joined Equity Bank in 2021 and has served as president of Harrison, AR, and senior lending officer during his tenure at Equity.
• Chad Nieman – Vice President, Commercial Lender. Nieman joined Equity 10 years ago in Wichita, KS, as a credit analyst, and now serves as a commercial lender based in Kansas City, KS.
• Sarah Nienke – Vice President, Treasury Management Officer. Nienke leads the sales team for treasury management and small business banking services in Wichita, KS, having joined the company in 2018.
• Kristof Slupkowski – Vice President, Regional Credit Officer. Slupkowski joined Equity Bank in 2018 as a credit analyst and is now responsible for regional credit decisions while leading a team of credit analysts in the company’s Wichita, KS, location.
• Stephanie Whitekiller – Vice President, Human Resources Manager. Whitekiller joined Equity as part of the company’s combination with American State Bank & Trust in 2021.
• Lorra Bagley – Vice President, Bank Manager.  Bagley leads an Equity Bank location in Lee’s Summit, MO, and has been part of the banking team for 24 years.
• Olya Baker – Assistant Vice President, Treasury Support Manager. Baker joined Equity Bank in 2016 and leads support and service for Equity Bank’s treasury management customer base.
• Rhonda Crosby – Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Officer. Crosby joined Equity Bank in 2019 and leads recruiting efforts.
• Michael Day – Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit Supervisor. Day assists with audit and review processes for the company.
• Eric Tucker – Assistant Vice President, Customer Care Manager. Tucker joined Equity as a leader of the customer care team in 2019 and has helped develop the company’s customer service and assistance capabilities.
• Elizabeth Wilson – Assistant Vice President, Loan Quality Review Manager. Wilson joined Equity Bank 10 years ago and has been instrumental in developing loan processes, teammates and loan operations for the company.