In 2020, we began a series called “The First 30 Days,” checking in with CIOs who were either stepping into the role for the first time or continuing the role at a new company. In that series we covered challenges, surprises, and game plans. In our new series, “Beyond the CIO’s First 30 Days,” we are following up with those same CIOs and we are talking about what worked and what didn’t; which expectations were met and which were not. Gary Kern is now stepping into his second year as CIO at Middlefiled Bank and the entirety of his time at the organization has been during the pandemic. Gary sits down with Jeff Ton, Strategic IT Advisor, to take a look back to where he started, where he is now and what is next.
Gary Kern serves as the SVP and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for The Middlefield Banking Company (MBC); a 119-year-old community bank, headquartered in Middlefield, OH. He is responsible for all technology strategy and direction for the enterprise and its 16 locations. Prior to MBC, Gary spent 15 years as CIO at MutualBank, recently acquired by Northwest Savings Bank. Gary has also previously held Senior IT Leadership roles for Lincoln Financial Group and Conseco Services, LLC, among other past technology experiences.
In 2011, Gary was nationally honored by being named one of ComputerWorld magazine’s Premier 100 IT leaders. In both 2015 & 2016 he was named one of Independent Community Bankers of America’s top 25 Community Bank influencers on Social Media. Gary has two adult children that both live in Indiana, and he, his wife Kelli, and their two dogs are currently moving into their new home in Aurora, OH.
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