Chuck Johnson, president of the Root River State Bank in Chatfield, Minn., and president of the State Bank of Fountain, Minn., accepted the chairman’s gavel from Steve Moore, senior vice president at U.S. Bank in St. Paul, symbolizing the beginning of his term as 2011-2012 chairman of the Minnesota Bankers Association. The exchange took place in the Twin Cities yesterday, where the MBA conducted its annual convention.

The banks at Chatfield and Fountain, both located in the southeastern corner of the state, have a long history of family ownership. Chatfield is the oldest bank in Minnesota. Also during yesterday’s convention, Chuck’s mother, Patricia Johnson, was honored for more than 50 years of service to the banking industry. She has been a director at the banks for 52 years.

Bryan Bruns, president of Annandale State Bank, advanced from MBA Treasurer/Vice President to President-Elect. Steve Erdall, president and CEO of Western Bank, St. Paul, was joined the executive committee at the association’s new Treasurer and Vice President.

The day-long meeting featured four keynote presentations. Michael Dunn talked about the political process and the role of political action committee, Ray Davis described how he transformed Umpqua Bank from a $140 million institution with six branches in 1994 into a $11.5 billion organization with 183 stores today, economist Michael Swanson delivered an economic update, and former Twins pitcher Bert Blyleven talked about leadership.