New Leadership Structure Announced At VCNB
We are pleased to announce some exciting changes coming to our leadership structure in 2025. Beginning January 2, Mark Erslan will retain the CEO position of The Vinton County National Bank and Tom Oyer will be named President of The Vinton County National Bank. This change is a sign of the times here at VCNB as the bank has grown so much in recent years that it is necessary to separate the roles of CEO and President which have historically held by Mark alone.
“Mark has shouldered these two roles since Ron Collins retired several years ago but the bank has grown significantly over time. In order to continue to build and grow our successful bank while staying in tune with the needs of our communities, we have decided to separate the roles and create more focus for each position,” Tom said.
When Mark took over as VCNB President in 2018, the bank’s asset size was $937.6 million. He was named CEO/President in 2019 and the bank has since grown to just shy of $1.5 billion at the end of 2024. While the CEO of a corporation focuses on the company’s big picture, the President is more involved in the bank’s day to day operations and works toward achieving goals.
As a sixth-generation banker from the Will family of McArthur, Tom understands the bank’s inner workings and core values. He values the philosophy of servant leadership, acknowledging that the best way to tend the needs of bank customers is to look after bank employees. “I personally can’t take care of all the needs of our customers but I can show our bank employees that they are valued and, in return, they will show that same respect to our customers,” he explained.”
Tom grew up visiting the bank with his grandfather, late VCNB President and Chairman Bob Will. “I have many fond memories of the bank from throughout my lifetime. It has been ever present and something I was always conscious of being important even as a child. I understood that it was important to my grandfather, that he was proud of the bank and how it could better the lives of people in Vinton County and throughout South Central Ohio.”
Ask Tom about banking and he can explain everything from the intricacies of the industry to the people who make community banks special. “We are grateful for every one of our customers. The money you deposit in our bank, will be loaned to other people in your community who are building homes, buying vehicles, and starting small businesses”. In this sense, your money is being invested in your community.
He is also proud that the bank serves many schools, townships and villages by holding deposits and financing countless snow plows, fire trucks, ambulances and community buildings. “The vast majority of our employees live and work in our communities. They grew up here, are raising families, and have a lot of pride in these small towns we call home. Having a banking career in your own community is a wonderful thing.”
When Tom discusses his priorities, he talks a lot about the human side of the growing national fraud crises. He explained that every passing day is marked by some type of fraudulent attempt and often by new methods that criminals use to commit crimes. “It used to be that we were just protecting customer money from bank robbers. Now the robbers aren’t coming through the front door. They’re everywhere and we are doing all that we can to protect our customers. However, we need our customers to be vigilant too. Fraud is the bank robbery of the 21st century and we need our customer’s help to stop it in its tracks.”
He described how customers may occasionally receive a phone call from the bank to confirm they wrote a specific check or made a purchase. “We do that to make sure it’s really you spending your money,” he said. “It is all for your protection.”
In his free time, Tom stays busy raising a family. His wife is a school teacher and together they have four children. “Most of our free time is spent at practice fields, gyms, 4H meetings, and school functions. It's a wonderful life”. They live near Laurelville but his home office is in McArthur. “I have the best commute in the state, driving the back roads of the Hocking Hills”.
Tom looks forward to the coming years and to working closely with Mark to help the bank continue to grow and strengthen. “Mark has been my mentor and we work well together. This move will enable us to better focus on meeting the needs of our customers, employees, and shareholders. VCNB has both a rich history and a bright future ahead.”