HILLSDALE, Mich.,—County National Bank has promoted Erik Lawson, Chris Clarke and Christopher Phillips to Executive Vice President roles, according to Joseph R. Williams, President and CEO of County National Bank.
Erik Lawson
Erik Lawson has been named EVP - Chief Financial Officer.
“Erik has played an important role in the success of CNB over the past seven years. His financial and accounting experience are critical to the continued growth of CNB,” said Williams. “Erik has a great ability to think strategically and does a great job communicating our financial results so that all can understand.”
Lawson joined CNB in 2017 as Chief Financial Officer and has 28 years of experience in banking. He is a CPA with an extensive background in accounting and audit. His previous experience in working in larger financial institutions has been a tremendous asset as CNB continues to grow and evolve. Lawson is a graduate of Hobart College, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in U.S. History. He also holds an MBA and Masters of Science Degree in Accounting from Northeastern University.
Lawson serves as a board member for Junior Achievement of the Michigan Edge and is treasurer of the CNB Foundation.
Chris Clarke has been named EVP - Chief Lending Officer and Lenawee Market Executive.
Chris Clarke
“I appreciate Chris’s leadership for our entire lending team,” said Williams. “His commitment to CNB, along with his passion for serving our associates, clients, and communities makes him a great asset to the CNB Leadership Team”.
Clarke has been instrumental in CNB’s expansion in Lenawee County, having joined CNB in 2015, just ahead of the opening of CNB’s Adrian branch. He has been a community banker for 25 years and his expertise includes commercial lending, business relationship banking and business statement financial analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Western Michigan University, and he has also completed the Michigan Bankers Association School for Commercial Lending at the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.
Clarke serves on the boards of Hospice of Lenawee, the Adrian Armory and the CNB Foundation. Prior to his career in banking, Clarke played professional hockey in the American Hockey League and in Germany.
Christopher Phillips has been named EVP - Chief Wealth Management Officer.
“Christopher’s strategic vision has been a key in the growth and success of our Wealth Management Team and assets under management,” Williams said. “He is a great asset to the leadership team, with an emphasis on serving our communities and clients.”
Christopher Phillips
Phillips joined CNB in 2016 as Vice President-Senior Trust Officer. His career in banking spans
18 years and has included financial planning, wealth management, trust administration, and trust fiduciary work. He has a legal background in estate planning and trust and probate administration, and his client-centric approach provides outstanding service to CNB’s Wealth
Management clients. Brown is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana and Valparaiso School of Law.
Phillips serves as a board member for the Hope Center and as a member of the Kitchen Cabinet for the Croswell Opera House.