This year's Spring Conference features two dynamic speakers who bring real-world leadership experience
to the banking boardroom. Meet the voices behind our opening keynote and closing fireside chat.
Keynote Speaker
Mike Oster
Brigadier General, South Dakota Army National Guard
"Elevate Your Leadership: Leading on Purpose with Passion"
Sunday, April 19 · 3:00–4:00 PM
A combat veteran who served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Mike has led
a Fortune 500 team, served as an elected official, and built multiple successful businesses from the ground up.
He holds a Master's degree in Industrial Management from South Dakota State University and is a graduate
of the United States Army War College.
His opening session tackles a question every banker faces: how do you lead effectively when the stakes are
high and the landscape is constantly shifting? His answer is to lead with purpose, empathy, and influence
rather than authority. It's a message that resonates whether you're in the C-suite or supporting your team
from behind the scenes.
mikeoster.com →
Fireside Chat
Eric Wood
Former NFL Pro Bowl Center · Buffalo Bills Radio Analyst
Fireside Chat with Eric Wood & Tim Schenk
Tuesday, April 21 · 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Eric Wood is a former NFL center, Pro Bowl selection, and proud Cincinnati native who played nine seasons
with the Buffalo Bills. A first-round draft pick out of the University of Louisville, Wood started 120 games,
earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2015, and was a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
Since retiring, he's become the color commentator on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network and host of the
Centered on Buffalo podcast. A Louisville guy through and through — you don't want to miss this one.
ericwoodmedia.com →
Featured Speakers
Teresa Sabanty
Deputy Regional Director, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
"Today's FDIC"
Monday, April 20 · 10:15–11:15 AM
Teresa Sabanty is the Deputy Regional Director with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
within the Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection, based out of the Chicago region.
Ken Pennington
Deputy Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions
"Director Responsibilities and CRE Issues"
Sunday, April 19 · 4:00–5:00 PM
Ken Pennington served 23 years in varying roles with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions
including Deputy Commissioner, Division Director, and Bank Branch Manager before retiring in 2006.
After his retirement, he served as a field examiner with the FDIC for 17 years. Ken returned to the
Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as Deputy Commissioner in 2025.
Charlie Riggs
Supervisory Examiner of Safety & Soundness, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
"Navigating Succession"
Monday, April 20 · 8:00–9:00 AM
Charlie Riggs is a Supervisory Examiner of Safety & Soundness with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis,
based out of the Louisville Branch. He has been with the FRB for five years. Prior to joining, he spent
6.5 years with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, where he served as a certified examiner
and Depository Division Director.
Blake Earley
SVP Congressional Relations & BankPac, American Bankers Association
"Washington Legislative Update"
Monday, April 20 · 9:00–10:00 AM
Chris Blau
Assistant Deputy Comptroller, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
"Corporate and Risk Governance"
Tuesday, April 21 · 8:00–9:00 AM
Chris Blau oversees a portfolio of community banks across three states from the OCC's Louisville, Kentucky
office, after serving in a similar role in Boston. He has held several leadership roles including
Examiner-in-Charge of Old National Bank and key capital markets positions across both midsize and large
bank supervision. He is actively involved in examiner development as a mentor and national training
instructor. Chris earned his degree from West Texas A&M University and was commissioned as a National
Bank Examiner in 2011.
Paul Wydler
Assistant Deputy Comptroller Analyst, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
"Corporate and Risk Governance"
Tuesday, April 21 · 8:00–9:00 AM
Paul Wydler began his OCC career in 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and moved to the Washington, DC
office in 2017, where he was commissioned as a National Bank Examiner in 2021. He has led and supported
examinations across community, midsize, large, and trust banks, with a focus on commercial credit, capital
markets, BSA, and trust. Paul earned his B.S. in Finance from Virginia Tech in 2014.
Tom Fitzgerald
South State Securities
"2026 Economic Outlook: Trying to Find Some Certainty in an Uncertain World"
Tuesday, April 21 · 9:00–10:00 AM
Tom Fitzgerald is Senior Vice President for the Fixed Income Strategies Group at SouthState Securities, or one of its predecessors, since 2009. Previously, he spent 10 years as a Director and Senior Analyst in Fixed Income Research for the Debt Capital Markets Division of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. His first position after college was as a thrift examiner, coming onboard during the height of the 80’s S&L crisis, working primarily in South Florida. In his present capacity he writes extensively on macro-economic topics with a focus on the impact on community banks. He is also one of 70 economic contributors to Bloomberg. In addition to this recent experience, Mr. Fitzgerald previously worked as a controller and financial officer for two community-based banking institutions managing their investment portfolios in addition to the usual controller/CFO functions.