We have all inherited things from someone else. Genetics from our parents and ancestors, maybe belongings from a sibling or relative, or better yet, money, property, or a business. Some of these are great and we’re happy to receive them. Yet sometimes you inherit something you maybe don’t want or didn’t expect. The same works for technology and it was the case when I started at Bruning Bank.

So, what did I inherit when I started at Bruning Bank? Well for starters, I inherited a role that I maybe didn’t fully understand. A role full of responsibilities and accountability, and many, many hats. While I’m not a stranger to responsibility or accountability, I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of either associated with this role.

Which leads me to the next thing I inherited. A family. Starting a new job is like meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time, you’re never sure how it’s going to go. Overwhelmingly, Bruning Bank made me feel like family from day one. Fred and Jerry graced me with their patience and understanding and - Andy Hill, Chief Information Officer luckily, we have a bunch of awesome people who were able to pick up the slack in the interim while I was figuring it all out.

So, what else? I inherited a bunch of IT “stuff”. Hardware, software, vendors, auditors, and examiners. Being new to a role or situation is sometimes just what is needed. A new perspective, a fresh set of eyes. So, what have we done in the last two-and-a-half years?

• We have replaced underperforming hardware vendors with existing, trusted vendors of other services.
• We have reviewed contracts for services brokered by aforementioned vendors and are in the process of replacing those service providers with lower cost, more redundant providers.
• We’ve made investments in infrastructure to help us now and prepare us for the future. • We’ve made investments in upgrading end user devices to increase productivity.
• We’ve added and continue to add software solutions that both protect us as a bank and provide value to our customers.

So, all this is to say that no matter what you inherit- good, bad, or indifferent, make the best of it. I think that’s what we’ve done to this point and will continue to do moving forward.

- Andy Hill, Chief Information Officer -