CLEARFIELD – Joseph B. Bower Jr., president and chief executive officer of CNB Financial Corp./CNB Bank, has been elected chairman of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers) board of directors.
As chairman, Bower leads Pennsylvania’s largest banking trade association for a one-year term concluding June 30, 2017.
The board of directors, which includes the association’s officers, policy committee chairs, group and deposit representatives and at-large members will meet at least quarterly to determine the policies and administration of the association. Members of the board are CEOs and senior level officers of its member banks.
“I am honored to chair an organization that represents community banks and consumers in the State of Pennsylvania,” said Bower. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the process that strives to ensure that banks, businesses, consumers and government all work together for the betterment of all involved.”
In this role as chairman, Bower has oversight of the PA Banker’s Board policies and procedures and leads the strategic direction of the association, as well as the functioning of the personnel and audit budget and finance committees. He will attend banking industry and State Bankers Association meetings throughout the United States and represent the association at various events as called upon.
“We are honored to have Joe serve as chair of the association this year,” said Duncan Campbell, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association. “His knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for banking and his community make him an incredible asset to our Board and to the industry.”
Bower took over as chairman on July 1, 2016 from Gerald A. Nau, chairman and CEO of Lafayette Ambassador Bank in Bethlehem, an affiliate of Fulton Financial Corp. Bower served a one-year term as second vice chairman ending June 30, 2015, at which time he began as first vice chairman until he was named chairman July 1, 2016.
Bower joined CNB in 1997 as senior vice president and chief financial officer of the bank and treasurer of CNB Financial Corp. In 2003, Bower was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of CNB Bank and secretary of CNB Financial Corp. And, on Dec. 31, 2009, he was named president and CEO of CNB Bank and CNB Financial Corp.
Prior to his career in banking, Bower worked as a CPA for the predecessor of Baker Tilley in Williamsport, Pa.
A native of Elimsport, Pa., Bower graduated from Montgomery Area High School in 1981. After graduation, he enlisted in the army where he served for two-and-a-half years before he received an ROTC scholarship to become an officer.
He later graduated magna cum laude from Lycoming College with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and from the U.S. Army Ordinance School Officer Basic Course.
Bower lives in Clearfield with his wife, Hillary and daughter, Kayleigh. He also has three grown children, Britney Farren of Austin, Texas, Mindy Bower of Raleigh, NC and Ryan Bower with the U.S. Marines.
The Pennsylvania Bankers Association, located in Harrisburg, is the state’s leading banking trade association representing an expansive and diverse membership. The association offers extensive continuing education programs, government relations representation on behalf of the industry, and provides numerous products and services for banks and their employees.