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Leadership

Executive Management

As they manage over 4,000 employees on a day-to-day basis, these leaders uphold our values to ensure we maintain our promise to help our shareholders focus on what matters most.
David KemperDavid W. Kemper is Executive Chairman of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. He joined Commerce Bank in 1978 as Vice President in charge of Commercial Lending and in 1991 was elected to his current position. Kemper heads the Executive Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. A 1972 graduate of Harvard University, Kemper received a Master of Arts in English Literature from Worcester College, Oxford University in 1974 and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1976. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Kemper is a director of Post Holdings, Inc., Tower Properties Company, and serves as an advisory director for Enterprise Holdings. Kemper serves as Vice Chairman of the board of trustees of Washington University in St. Louis. He is also on the board of trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
John KemperJohn W. Kemper is President and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bank. Kemper joined Commerce in 2007 and prior to his current role, served as the organization’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Commerce, he worked in the New York and Chicago offices of McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm.

Kemper holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Stanford University, a Master of Science in economic history from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is a member of the Visa Executive Client Counsel and serves on the boards of several civic organizations in the St. Louis region.
Chuck KimCharles G. Kim is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Kim has corporate responsibility for all financial functions for the company. He also has responsibility for the retail line of business, technology & enterprise operations, enterprise digital strategy, consumer card, marketing, strategic planning, Commerce Bank Mortgage, indirect lending and Capital for Business. Kim is a member of the Executive Management Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Kim is a member of the board of directors of the Bank Administration Institute (BAI) in Chicago. Kim also serves on the board of trustees of Missouri Baptist Medical Center and on the board of directors of the Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation, as well as the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Mississippi Valley. Kim graduated with honors from the Washington University Executive MBA program and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
Kevin BarthKevin G. Barth is Executive Vice President of the Commercial Line of Business for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Commerce Bank, Kansas City Region. In addition to his direct responsibilities for the Commerce Kansas City region, Barth is responsible for Commerce’s operations in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. He oversees strategy, product development and policy for Commerce Bancshares, Inc.’s commercial banking and is a member of the Commerce Bancshares Executive Committee. Barth received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Graceland University. He earned his MBA from Rockhurst University. Mr. Barth currently serves on the boards of the Kansas City Area Development Council, Kansas City Life Insurance Company, Hodgdon Powder Company, Children’s Mercy Hospital and the Greater Kansas City Area Chamber of Commerce. Previous board service includes The Kansas City Board of Trade, Cereal Food Processors and Starlight Theatre.
John HandyJohn is the president and chief executive officer for Commerce Trust Company. Prior to joining Commerce Bank in December 1999, John was the chief operating officer and a director of TIAA-CREF Trust Company, FSB, the Missouri-based trust subsidiary of the national teachers' retirement fund manager. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he was with Bank of America (formerly Boatmen's Trust Company) for 10 years, where his responsibilities included managing a group of 14 regional trust offices in seven states. John received his bachelor of arts degree in economics and business administration from Wittenberg University in 1985. In 1991, he graduated with honors from the ABA Graduate Trust School of Northwestern University, where he earned his CFSC designation. John also holds a Series 65 license.
Bob HolmesRobert S. Holmes is Executive Vice President of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., Chairman and CEO of Commerce Bank of St. Louis, and serves on the Executive Management Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Holmes oversees the bank's commercial banking activities in the St. Louis region, commercial offices in Cincinnati, Nashville, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, community markets in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois, community relations and foundation advisory services for the St. Louis market, tax credits, dealer services, equipment finance, and capital markets including foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives. He holds a Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from University of Missouri in Columbia. Holmes serves as a director and member of the executive committee of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and a board member of Fair Saint Louis Foundation. He serves on the Board of Commissioners of Tower Grove Park, holding the position of Vice President of the Board and executive committee member, as well as President of Tower Grove Park Foundation. Holmes is a member of University of Missouri's College of Business - Finance Advisory Board, the President’s Council at Lindenwood University, and Washington University Olin School of Business WFA – CFAR advisory board. He is a member of YPO Gold St. Louis and advisor/past-president of Sherwood Forest, a United Way supported agency.
David OrfDavid L. Orf is Chief Credit Officer of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. He has responsibility for overseeing credit administration, lending policies and portfolio management processes to ensure the overall quality and credit culture of Commerce's lending portfolio. Orf is a member of the Executive Committee. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.

Paula PetersenPaula Petersen is an Executive Vice President of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Executive Director, Consumer Segment and Strategic Services and serves on the Executive Management Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. She is responsible for overseeing Commerce Bank’s consumer banking businesses and driving corporate strategy, marketing and data analytics, as well as managing the corporate planning framework. She also has responsibility for BankCard/Installment Loan Servicing. Ms. Petersen graduated with honors in 2007 from the UMKC EMBA program and holds a BBA in Finance from Wichita State University.
Derrick BrooksDerrick R. Brooks is a Senior Vice President of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Executive Director, Enterprise Digital Strategy and serves on the Executive Management Committee. He is responsible for creating and driving the enterprise digital vision, strategy and thought leadership across Consumer, Wealth and Commercial lines of business. He has over 20 years of digital product development experience, including 10 years in management and IT consulting. He has helped Fortune 500 companies realize their strategic objectives by delivering competitive digital solutions across desktop, mobile, content management systems, and custom application development solutions. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
Rick HeiseRick Heise is a Senior Vice President of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Executive Director, Commercial Payments. He has responsibility for expanding the bank's commercial payments solutions and services portfolio, including commercial card, merchant, treasury and several specialty solutions and teams in key industries like healthcare and insurance. Heise serves on the Executive Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and is a certified public accountant.

Kim JakovichKim Jakovich is Senior Vice President of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Executive Director, Talent Management and serves on the Executive Management Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Jakovich oversees the bank's talent management efforts including talent acquisition, talent development, talent management consulting, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and total rewards which consists of compensation, benefits, technology and payroll. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Fontbonne University and Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

Patty KellerhalsPatricia R. Kellerhals is a Senior Vice President of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Executive Director, Retail and serves on the Executive Management Committee. She is responsible for directing strategy and execution for the retail line of business and oversees all aspects of retail banking. Kellerhals graduated from Lindenwood University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
Doug NeffDoug Neff is Chairman and CEO of Commerce Bank Southwest Region and Executive Director, Community Markets and serves on the Executive Management Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Neff, who is based in Springfield, oversees banking activities in Commerce’s Missouri, Kansas and Illinois markets, outside of Kansas City and St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Missouri in Columbia and is a graduate of the Prochnow Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Neff serves on the boards of Boys & Girls Club of Springfield and Springfield Center for Dyslexia and Learning. He is also Co-Chair for the Mayor’s Initiative on Equity and Equality, and Chair of the Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) Foundation Board.
Tom NoackThomas J. Noack is Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Legal and Corporate Risk and serves on the Executive Management Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Noack oversees Legal, Risk Management, Audit and Flight Operations. He previously served as counsel to Commerce Bancshares, Inc., and Commerce Bank, including nine years as General Counsel. Noack received a Juris Doctor from University of Kansas School of Law and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from the University of Kansas. He serves on the board of directors for Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis, Inc., and Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition.

David RollerDavid Roller is a Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. He leads the Enterprise Technology Function, Bank Operations and Corporate Services. Roller is a member of the Executive Committee of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Board of Directors

As entrepreneurs, industry specialists and community leaders, our Board of Directors is comprised of professionals of different backgrounds and professional experience. In keeping with Commerce Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility practices, the Board believes diversity of perspective is crucial to representing the communities and customers we serve and strengthens our ability to provide long-term value for all of our shareholders. Accordingly, Board diversity, including diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, geography and areas of specialty, is an integral component in selecting nominees for Board consideration.

Here is a summary of the composition of our 13-member Board of Directors.
Commerce Board of Directors composition - 25% non-dependent, 75% dependent, representing gender, racial and ethnic diversity.
Commerce Board of Directors composition - 25% non-dependent, 75% dependent, representing gender, racial and ethnic diversity.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Directors

Terry BasshamDirector since February 2013. Prior to his retirement as President & CEO of Evergy, Inc., Mr. Bassham served as Chairman of the Board, President and CEO (since June 2012), of Great Plains Energy, KCP&L, and Greater Missouri Operations. As of January 2021, Mr. Bassham retired from all responsibilities at Evergy. Mr. Bassham originally served as KCP&L Executive Vice President of Finance, Strategic Development and CFO, more recently as Executive Vice President of Utility Operations. He graduated from the University of Texas-Arlington and earned a Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary's University Law School in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Bassham previously practiced as a regulatory attorney and has served as an advisory director of the Company's banking subsidiary in Kansas City. He is active in the Kansas City area community and currently serves as a board member of Kansas City Scholars. Mr. Bassham brings to the Board an inside perspective of the energy industry, and experience in a highly regulated industry with a publicly traded company.
Blackford BrauerDirector since May 2022. Mr. Brauer is the President of Hunter Engineering Company, a manufacturer of capital equipment for the automotive industry. He earned a master of business administration degree from Northwestern University and bachelor of arts degree in economics from Princeton University. Mr. Brauer serves as a Director of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and has been a member of the Commerce Bank St. Louis Advisory Board since 2009.
Kyle ChapmanDirector since May 2022. Mr. Chapman is President of Barry-Wehmiller and leads the organization’s operating platforms, global functions, and hybrid equity firm, BW Forsyth Partners. He joined Barry-Wehmiller in 2009 when he co-founded BW Forsyth Partners. Mr. Chapman’s involvement with Barry-Wehmiller grew over time, as he served as a strategic financial advisor to the company’s leadership team from 2015 to 2019, while co-leading BW Forsyth Partners, and was named Barry-Wehmiller’s Interim Chief Financial Officer in early 2020, shortly before becoming President.

Mr. Chapman has a Bachelor of Science in commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He also serves on Barry-Wehmiller’s Board of Directors and is involved with several civic organizations in the Bank’s core footprint.
Karen DanielDirector since January 2018. Ms. Daniel graduated from Northwest Missouri State University and received her master's degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She spent 11 years with the certified public accounting firm of Peat Marwick (KPMG), rising to Senior Audit Manager. Ms. Daniel joined Black & Veatch in 1992 with the internal audit group, was named Chief Financial Officer in 1999 and joined the Black & Veatch Board of Directors in 2006. In her role as CFO, she was responsible for developing and executing business strategies, and as President of Black & Veatch's Global Finance & Technology Solutions Division, led the global finance and IT organizations. She retired from Black & Veatch in July 2018 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director. Ms. Daniel serves on numerous public and philanthropic boards, including Snap-on Tools, Inc., Teladoc Health, Inc., Gian Eagle and Northwest Missouri State University Foundation, Kansas City Campus for Animal Care, KC Royals Charities, Kauffman Foundation, Phoenix Family and City Year Kansas City. Ms. Daniel also served as Vice-Chair of former President Obama's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
Earl DevannyDirector since April 2010. Mr. Devanny is a former advisory director of Commerce Bank and has extensive experience with regulated industries. Mr. Devanny holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of the South (Sewanee). Mr. Devanny has served as CEO of TractManager Holdings, LLC from September 2016 to April 2021, until his retirement. Prior to this position, Mr. Devanny served as the President of Healthcare at Nuance Communications from April 2014 to August 2016, as CEO of The TriZetto Group from July 2010 to May 2013, and the President of Cerner Corporation from August 1999 to July 2010. This experience brings a professional insight into the healthcare industry, one of the Company's most important target industries for financial services.
June FowlerDirector since April 2022. Until her retirement in December 2021, as Senior Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs of BJC HealthCare, Ms. Fowler led internal, external, and public policy communications and government and community relations efforts on behalf of BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States and one of the largest private employers in the state of Missouri. She had responsibility for multiple areas, including media relations, executive communications, community benefit, community affairs, government and external relations, health literacy, corporate marketing, creative services, web development, media services and the award‑winning employee online newspaper, BJC Today. Prior to joining BJC, Ms. Fowler was senior director of communications and community affairs for Mallinckrodt. She began her career as an urban planner with St. Louis County government, ultimately serving as director of the Department of Planning. Ms. Fowler earned her master’s degree in urban affairs from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri–Columbia. Ms. Fowler has been an active volunteer throughout the region for many years. She currently serves as the board chair of the Cortex Innovation and KIPP St. Louis Public Charter School. She is on the boards of Citizens for Modern Transit (immediate past chair), Lambert St. Louis International Airport and The Muny, one of the oldest outdoor theaters in the United States, where she is board secretary. She also serves as a member of Washington University Public Affairs National Council, and the Health Care Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Ms. Fowler is a past chair of the Girl Scout Council of Eastern Missouri and the Metropolitan Association for Philanthropy.
David KemperDirector since February 1982. Mr. Kemper became Executive Chairman in August 2018. He previously was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1991 to 2018 and was President of the Company from 1982 until February 2013. He graduated cum laude from Harvard College, earned a master’s degree in English literature from Oxford University, and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is the Past President of the Federal Advisory Council to the Federal Reserve Board. Mr. Kemper is active in the St. Louis community, serving as a board member of Washington University in St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and a member of Civic Progress in St. Louis. Mr. Kemper brings to the Board a thorough understanding of the financial industry and an appreciation of the values upon which the Company was founded.
John KemperDirector since September 2015. Mr. Kemper is President and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bank. Mr. Kemper joined Commerce in 2007 leading strategy and working across a number of leadership roles within the Company. Prior to his current role, Mr. Kemper served as the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Commerce, Mr. Kemper worked as an Engagement Manager in the New York and Chicago offices of McKinsey & Co. While at McKinsey, Mr. Kemper led consulting teams on strategy and operations engagements for a number of clients in the financial services and airline industries. Mr. Kemper holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Stanford University, a Master of Science in economic history from the London School of Economics and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Mr. Kemper is a member of the Visa Senior Client Counsel and serves on the boards of several civic organizations in the St. Louis region.
Jonathan KemperDirector since February 1997. Mr. Kemper transitioned from day-to-day responsibilities at the Company in August 2018; he currently oversees the Commerce Bank Trusts and Foundations Office. After graduating from Harvard, Mr. Kemper received an M.B.A. from Harvard University's Graduate School of Business. Prior to working for the Company, Mr. Kemper held various positions in the financial industry in New York and Chicago, including positions with Citicorp, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and M. A. Schapiro and Company. Mr. Kemper previously served on the Federal Advisory Council to the Federal Reserve Board from January 2012 to December 2015. Mr. Kemper is involved in several community and business organizations in addition to his responsibilities at Commerce Bank. Mr. Kemper is a recognized community leader in one of the Company's largest markets and also brings expertise in current and emerging technologies to the Board.
Benjamin RassieurDirector since August 1997. Mr. Rassieur is President of a successful, private company that performs heat treating and metal finishing at six plants in three states and Mexico. His business provides a leading indicator of general economic conditions. Mr. Rassieur graduated cum laude from Amherst College with a degree in economics. He has been a director of Commerce Bank and has been a long-time member of the Company’s Audit and Risk Committee, and is the current Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee. His community involvement includes being a Director of Concordance Academy.
Todd SchnuckDirector since April 2010. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schnuck Markets, Inc., Mr. Schnuck brings to the Board a unique perspective from a consumer driven industry that faces many of the same issues that the Company faces, such as selection of retail locations, geographic expansion, and customer loyalty. With stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates in much of the same footprint as the Company. A graduate of the University of Virginia with an M.B.A. from Cornell, Mr. Schnuck had several years' experience in the investment banking profession before joining the family-owned business and serving as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer prior to his current position. Mr. Schnuck has previously served as an advisory director of Commerce Bank.
Christine TaylorDirector since April 2022. Ms. Taylor is President and Chief Executive Officer for Enterprise Holdings, Inc., and is a 20-year veteran of the company. She is the fourth CEO in the company’s history and is part of the third generation of leadership of the privately- owned Enterprise Holdings, preceded by her father, Andy Taylor, and grandfather, Jack Taylor. As President and CEO, Ms. Taylor serves on the corporate board of Enterprise Holdings and is one of the highest-ranking women among the world’s largest travel companies and one of the top female CEOs across all industries, based on company revenue. Ms. Taylor joined Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s Management Training Program in 2000 and worked at several rental locations before relocating to London in 2006. In 2008, Ms. Taylor returned to St. Louis and held various leadership roles within different areas of the business over the next several years. She was named Senior Vice President of North American Operations in 2013, promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2016 and named President in 2019. Ms. Taylor was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in January 2020 in addition to retaining her current title of President. Ms. Taylor received a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Ms. Taylor also serves on the Crawford Group Board of Directors and several local St. Louis boards and committees, including the Crawford Taylor Foundation.
Kimberly WalkerDirector since February 2007. Ms. Walker holds an M.B.A. in finance, with distinction, from the University of Michigan, an M.A. in economics from Washington University in St. Louis, and a B.A. in economics and public administration from Miami University of Ohio, where she graduated magna cum laude. Ms. Walker also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. She has extensive experience in institutional asset management and has knowledge of internal controls and audit committee functions. Ms. Walker served as Chief Investment Officer at Washington University for 10 years through December 31, 2016 and as Executive in Residence at Washington University’s Olin Business School in 2017.

Committees of the Board

The Board has three standing committees that meet at least once a year. The Compensation and Human Resources Committee, the Committee on Governance/Directors, and the Audit and Risk Committee are comprised solely of non-employee, independent Directors in accordance with NASDAQ listing standards. The charter for each committee may be found on the Company’s website at investor.commercebank.com/overview/corporate-governance.

Pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws, the Board has established an Executive Committee to meet as necessary. The Executive Committee does not have a charter and consists of both independent, non-employee Directors and employee Directors.

The current membership of the standing committees of the Board:

Compensation and Human
Resources Committee		 Governance/Directors Committee  Audit and Risk Committee
Terry D. Bassham*
W. Kyle Chapman
June McAllister Fowler		 Terry D. Bassham
Earl H. Devanny, III**
Benjamin F. Rassieur, III
Christine B. Taylor		 Blackford F. Brauer
Karen L. Daniel
Benjamin F. Rassieur, III*
Todd R. Schnuck
Kimberly G. Walker

Learn more about Our History

Disclosures:

*Committee Chair

**Committee Chair and Lead Director

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