Michael Pell, president and CEO of First State Bank in Winchester, has been elected to serve as second vice chairman of the Ohio Bankers League Board of Directors in 2016.

Comprised of bank executives from across the state, the OBL board serves as the governing body for the professional trade association representing all Ohio banks and savings institutions. As second vice chairman Pell will play a critical role in setting the league’s agenda as well as establishing legislative and regulatory priorities for the Ohio banking industry.

“The OBL is honored to have Mike Pell serve as our second vice chairman of the board,” said OBL President and CEO Mike Adelman. “He is passionate about our industry and innovative in his approach. We are very grateful for his willingness to serve the Ohio banking industry in a broader statewide role this year.”

Pell started his career in 1983 at The Farmers Bank in West Union. He worked as a teller, in deposit operations, and prepared loan documents for the senior lender of the small community institution. In 1992, he moved into retail administration after The Farmers Bank was acquired by Fifth Third Bank.

In 2006, he transitioned back to community banking and became president and CEO of First State Bank in Winchester.

Pell is executive director and founding member of Leadership Adams and serves the following boards: Southern State Community College, Adams Regional Hospital Foundation, and Hospice of Hope in Maysville, Ky.

He received his BBA degree from Morehead State University in 1985 and is a recent graduate of the OBL’s Bank Leadership Institute. He resides in West Union with his wife Monica and five children: Robert, Haylee, Jacob, and twins Derrick and Dakota.

Submitted by Elena Zint, First State Bank marketing manager.