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December 11, 2025 – EMPORIA, KS – ESB Financial is proud to welcome Karen Hibbard to its Board of Directors. With more than four decades of leadership in business, tourism, and community development, Hibbard brings a strong understanding of the Flint Hills region and the vital role of local financial institutions.

A native of Fredonia, Kansas, Hibbard was born and raised on a small family farm and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in Business Administration. She credits her time at Emporia State University as a key part of her educational foundation—“Stingers Up!” she proudly says.

Hibbard’s early career included roles at financial institutions and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. After several years raising her family and serving as a 4-H and PTA volunteer, she returned to the Chamber, ultimately serving as the Executive Director of Visit Manhattan and Vice President of the Chamber. During her tenure, she helped lead transformative projects such as the redevelopment of Downtown Manhattan, the creation of the Flint Hills Discovery Center, and the construction of the Manhattan Conference Center.

She and her husband Gordon also owned the Dale Carnegie Training franchise for the Kansas Heartland region, where she worked as a certified trainer. They sold the business in early 2025.

“The Manhattan area has been home for 47 years,” said Hibbard. “Being part of a college town keeps you young. I consider this area a ‘launching’ community—we welcome students, faculty, and military families who pass through the Flint Hills, and that connection matters.”

Hibbard's connection to community banking dates back to her teen years, working at the family-owned State Bank of Fredonia. “Being a part of the community means you support your community,” she said. “Support means showing up and helping out.”

When invited to join the ESB Board of Directors, Hibbard was honored to be part of a bank that still values personal relationships in a changing financial landscape.

“Too many banks today are breaking up with their customers by forgetting the importance of personal relationships and personal service,” she said. “The relationship with a bank may start on the website or with a conversation with a personal banker, but it can't stop there. I appreciate ESB’s commitment to its customers.”

As she begins her work with the board, Hibbard looks forward to learning and contributing: “Part of my excitement is the opportunity to connect with other leaders who care deeply about the Flint Hills. I hope, in some small way, I can offer encouragement and new perspectives to ESB’s work and services.”

Guided by her commitment to faith, family, and building strong relationships, Hibbard brings a thoughtful, community-centered voice to the ESB Board of Directors. Her decades of regional leadership and firsthand understanding of local needs will help shape the bank’s continued efforts to serve Kansans with integrity, connection, and care.

The 2025 ESB Board of Directors includes: James C Wayman, Karen W Sommers, Lyle A Butler, Michael Black, Jeremy Rusco, Cory Haag, Ryan Arndt, Jeff Longbine and Karen Hibbard.

About ESB Financial

ESB Financial has been serving the banking needs of Kansans since 1901. They are proud to be a family-owned bank that has had a tradition of helping family, friends, and neighbors for four generations.