Resident Highlight: Kirby Drey

Growing up on my family’s farm in Northwest Iowa, I learned the value of family, hard work, and community. Living and working alongside my parents and four siblings each day made an impression, shaping me into the person I am today. As the oldest child, I was always learning and happy to lead. My siblings and I were involved in athletics, playing basketball and football together whenever we could. My desire to continue working on the farm influenced my decision to attend a local college. I earned a double major in finance and economics, with a concentration in accounting, all while lending a hand back home with field work.

For over two years, I have served as president of Kentland Bank, a local financial institution with five branch locations. My responsibilities include reviewing credit documents, collaborating with senior management, servicing commercial customers, and overseeing daily bank operations.

Prior to leaving Iowa, I have memories of our local lender coming out to the farm, engaging and providing business solutions to our farm operation. Those interactions stuck with me, and I have set out to provide that same level of dedication to our customers. My passion for finance and technology has been fulfilled by working with our team to bring mainstream banking platforms to Kentland.

Mel Ward and Kate Molter are the two individuals to credit for my move to Kentland. At the time, Mel was the bank’s president and CEO, and Kate managed human resources and auditing. I worked with Mel and Kate as an external consultant, helping to implement a new asset-liability program. After our work together was complete, Kate recommended bringing me on as an employee of the bank. Shortly after, I relocated to Kentland and began my career at Kentland Bank.

Kentland is a farming community located between Indianapolis and Chicago. You can experience the home town feel in places like Murphy’s Food King, a local grocery store that has supported Kentland for years. You can find both large chain and locally-owned restaurants in town as well as hardware shops and a post office. Kentland provides families a low cost of living with family-oriented activities such as parks, youth sports and a walking path. The career and extra-curricular opportunities found in Kentland are reasons I continue to call Kentland my home.

When people ask about how to get involved in the community, I always recommend the Kentland Rotary Club. Rotarians work together to identify ways to support and give back to the community. When I first moved to Kentland, I was invited to attend a rotary event, and I remember people coming up to me and genuinely wanting to learn about my life and my new role at Kentland Bank. This experience expanded my network immediately and reassured me of my decision to move to Kentland.

I encourage everyone to get involved in our local organizations. I have enjoyed supporting our local Junior Achievement program. I serve as a member of the South Newton Junior Achievement Board and have had the opportunity to teach classes at all levels – elementary, middle school, and high school. The program is a great way for me to educate our youth on finance and credit. Many students have come to me years later to talk about how they have taken the advice and gone on to establish great credit. In fact, several students have pursued a college education and come back to work at Kentland Bank.