Every great organization starts with a great leader. The Antwerp Exchange Bank is no different in that respect. Although Ron Eschbach would attribute the success of the bank to the loyal customers and dedicated employees, it is a fact that the Antwerp Exchange Bank would not be the same without Ron.
He started his banking career in 1973. Ron moved to the Antwerp Exchange Bank on October 29, 1984, where he advanced to the position of president on July 15, 1998. From 1984 to 1998 he gained the respect of the community, which is why he was hired as president. That respect has only grown, just as the bank has grown with Ron at the helm.
The bank has evolved from a single office in Antwerp, Ohio to successful branches in Payne, Ohio and Harlan Indiana. Mark Soukup, Chief Lending Offer at the bank had a few words to say about Ron. Soukup said, “I’ve known Ron for 20+ years. He has always stood out as the perfect Community Banker. He understands how a community bank is vital to the success of a small town and all of its residents. He supports community programs, volunteers his time, and helps everyone and never does it for self-promotion nor recognition of the Banks involvement. He does it because it is the right thing to do. He is a master at finding simple solutions to complex banking issues. Every business in the area has been impacted by Ron’s involvement during his career. He fills a very important niche in banking that has been abandoned by the large banks. Helping small business get a start and grow into businesses that contribute to employment and a better community overall. Ron will be missed as a community leader, banker, and friend.”
Mark Soukup really sums up the impact that Ron will leave on our community along with employee, Annette Danner noted that she started working with Ron in 1995. He challenged her to become the banker that she is today. Twila Demongeot said that she has known and worked with Ron for 36 years and is thankful for the opportunities that Ron has given her in her career at AEB. He has always shown appreciation for the work that she did and has been an integral part of my professional development through the ever changing world of banking. Demongeot said “Two of the lessons that he has impressed upon me are that bank operations should be done properly but not to lose sight of good customer service. The other was to make sure that The Antwerp Exchange Bank takes part in the community that it serves. I will miss Ron as a trusted mentor but I know that he has left behind a legacy that we at AEB will carry on and strive to make him proud.”
Ron had a keen eye for talent within the bank. He liked to advance current employees into more responsibility and was always proud of the job they did. Longtime employee, Nancy Lichty commented, “After working with Ron for over 30 years I can say he has been a leader with vision in regards to advancing the bank through technology and expanding services we can offer as well as taking on the challenge to open a new branch in Payne and crossing the state line to open a branch in Harlan IN. Ron always encouraged the AEB employees to participate in and support various community and county charities and organizations. To give back where it is needed. But the bottom line that has always been that in banking is always good customer service is the most important thing we do.
Former longtime co-worker, Joyce Parrish worked with Ron for many years at the Antwerp Exchange Bank. She told us that he has accomplished many things as President of the Bank, which includes the opening of the branches at Payne OH and Harlan IN. Those two offices opened opportunities for many more jobs at the bank. He has always been very easy to work with, and I was proud to serve on his Management Team.
Ron’s also saw the need for continuity at the Payne Branch. He made sure that the Payne community had a familiar face at the Payne branch. Geoff Hyman is the manager of the Payne branch. Hyman commented that he came to work at the bank in 2006 after many years with other banks. “What brought me there was that Ron ran the bank as a local home town community bank, rather than as a corporate big city sales culture bank. This allows us to be more flexible and offer more options to our customers, instead of just going by the numbers. Ron always made sure we took care of our customers and helped them whenever we could. He has been very good to work for.”
The chair of the Antwerp Exchange Bank, Carol Chilcote, was involved in hiring Ron. Chilcote told us, “The Antwerp Exchange Bank was very fortunate to be under the wise and confident leadership of Ron Eschbach for 22 years of his long career at AEB. Ron has a gift to see the big picture in any given situation. These insights were very beneficial in the operation of the bank. Ron will be greatly missed by both bank employees and customers. He has certainly been a big asset to our community and has touched many lives.
In keeping with Ron’s desire to continue great service to our community, he has hired long time, CFO, John Kobee, as his replacement. John says, The Antwerp Exchange Bank Company has been blessed to have Ronald Eschbach as President and CEO. Ron’s leadership and commitment to community have been an example to us all. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity he has provided to grow in my career, and I wish him well in his most deserved retirement.
The end of this year marks the end of Ron’s great career at the Antwerp Exchange Bank. It does not end the vision and determination that he have always been his focus. Like a great leader, he has always put his customers and community ahead of himself.
