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The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame today announced the four bankers who will be inducted into its 2024 class later this year.
Guy Berry III, Herschel Brewster, Brad Krieger, and Gregg Vandaveer will make up the 2024 class. The inductees were selected by a panel of bankers from across the state, and were voted on late last week.
(The late Charles Vose Sr. was originally named into this year’s class, but to honor his family’s wishes, his induction will not be held this year.)
The induction ceremony will be held Dec. 5 at the Oklahoma History Center. It will be hosted by the Oklahoma Bankers Association’s immediate past chair, Bryan Cain, who is also president and CEO of Sovereign Bank, in Shawnee.
Following is a quick look at this year’s inductees:
Guy Berry III
Guy Berry III was a Sapulpa stalwart, born and raised there, and returning to work at the family’s bank, American Heritage Bank, in 1980. Berry served as president of the institution since joining in 1980, until his retirement in 2014. He remained on the bank’s board of directors until his death in 2022.
Herschel Brewster
Herschel Brewster is a longtime banker in Weatherford, who most recently served as president and CEO of First National Bank & Trust Co. of Weatherford, which was eventually purchased by Blue Sky Bank. He served in the banking industry from 1978 until his recent retirement. Brewster also spent time at Farmers National Bank, in Cordell, before moving to Weatherford in 1990.
Brad Krieger
Brad Krieger has been involved in the banking industry since joining The Missouri Bridge Bank in 1991. Krieger currently serves as regional executive for Arvest Bank, a position he has held since 1996. His involvement in the industry includes time as the Oklahoma Bankers Association chairman, as well as on the State Banking Board and numerous American Bankers Association boards and councils.
Gregg Vandaveer
Gregg Vandaveer became well-known as a leader at several banks in central Oklahoma. His banking career encompasses stops at United Oklahoma Bank, in Oklahoma City; American Bancorp of Oklahoma, in Edmond; First Enterprise Bank, in Oklahoma City; Oklahoma State Bank, in Guthrie; and Sooner State Bank, in Tuttle. He served as president and CEO of the latter two, and was with Sooner State Bank for 20 years before his retirement in 2021.
The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame was created by the Oklahoma Bankers Association in 2018. Previous inductees are:
2018
Larry Briggs
Ken Fergeson
H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt
2019
John V. Anderson
Clark & Wanda Bass
Mick Thompson
Morrison Tucker
No ceremony in 2020 (COVID pandemic)
2021
Bruce Benbrook
Steve Burrage
Tracy Kelly
Carlisle Mabrey III
2022
Sinclair Armstrong
Shirley Barber
Robert H. Croak
John Massey
2023
Nevyle Cable
James Hamby
Harry Leonard
Ted McGuire
The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame was created by the Oklahoma Bankers Association in 2018. Nominees for each class were selected by a banker roundtable based on contributions to the Oklahoma banking industry, and the final honorees were voted upon by selected bankers. For more information, contact the Oklahoma Bankers Association at (405) 424-5252.