Guiding Our Vision for Excellence
Meet Our Leadership
At Farmers Bank we know our team is what sets us apart from others! We are local, friendly and people you know and trust!
Will Ed Settle - Board Chairman
Will Ed Settle joined the Board of Directors in 2020 to be part of an established community institution and to reconnect with a community that has been significant to him and his family. He is motivated by Farmers Bank’s commitment to customer service and aims to leverage his financial expertise to expand the bank’s customer base. Having joined just before the pandemic, he witnessed the bank’s resilience and dedication to its community, which affirmed its special status. Balancing his board responsibilities with his professional life is manageable thanks to a supportive team and family. Settle values conservative management, customer feedback, and the bank’s community banking proposition. He supports local non-profits and brings over two decades of banking investment experience to the board. His goal is to see both the bank and the community thrive together.
Joe Falder - Board Member
Joe Falder has been a member of the Farmers Bank Board of Directors for 33 years. Throughout his tenure, many of his professional relationships have evolved into stronger partnerships, with clients becoming more engaged and open. Joe feels a deep obligation to support the bank, which has consistently supported him and his business, Falder’s Inc., since he moved to Princeton in 1982. Engaging with customers comes naturally to him, given his long-standing connections, though he emphasizes the importance of filtering feedback with the involvement of management to ensure decisions are beneficial for both customers and stakeholders. Joe also serves as the vice chairman of the hospital board, a position he has held for 33 years, reflecting his deep commitment to the community. He values interactions with both older and younger customers, fostering relationships across generations to ensure the bank remains a vital part of the community.
Dean Hughes - Board Member
Dean Hughes has been on the Farmers Bank Board of Directors since 2017, motivated by his background in tech and accounting and a desire to invest in the community. He believes the bank is a critical piece of the community, a sentiment influenced by his family’s relationships. Dean envisions the bank becoming more entrepreneurial, contributing his innovative mindset to help guide its future direction. He constantly reads and maintains diverse interests, often drawing inspiration from his hobby as a musician to bring fresh ideas to the bank. The bank has supported his family’s financial needs over the years, and as the last community bank in Princeton, it holds sentimental value. Dean is committed to local banking for both commercial and personal needs. He passes on the bank’s values and principles to his children and grandchildren by teaching them the importance of savings and financial management. Dean believes that simplifying financial processes and helping customers manage their money effectively is a significant part of the bank’s mission.
Sarah Sparks Walker - Board Member
Sarah Sparks Walker has served on the Farmers Bank Board of Directors since March 2009, inspired by Sue McConnell Jones, who demonstrated that women could be effective board members regardless of their residence. Sarah set this goal early on, planning to pursue it upon retiring from her teaching career. Her family’s involvement with Farmers Bank spans nearly a century, beginning in 1926 when her grandfather, Carl Sparks, secured financing from the bank to purchase Cedar Bluff Quarry. Thanks to Farmers Bank’s support, Carl turned a failing business into a success, eventually joining the Board of Directors and serving in various roles for fifty years. Sarah’s father later filled Carl’s board seat, continuing the legacy until 2002. Proud to follow in their footsteps, Sarah believes her grandfather and father would be proud of her. Personally, she has financed cars and home improvement projects through the bank, and her family continues to benefit from its services. The personal connection and community care offered by Farmers Bank are invaluable. A letter from her father to her son, Matthew, highlighted the importance of the family’s role in the bank and the wise investment in its stock, advice that has proven fruitful for her relatives.
Joe McEnaney - Board Member
Joe McEnaney joined the Farmers Bank Board of Directors in 2016 driven by the institution’s rich history of customer service and community involvement. With a keen interest in learning about the banking industry and a commitment to being an engaged board representative, Joe aims to advocate for the growth of Farmers Bank’s business and brand reputation. He brings a small business mindset to the board, actively participating in discussions related to loans and local business support. Dedicated to continuous learning, Joe stays updated on industry news and professional development opportunities. Farmers Bank has been a crucial partner in his personal and business growth, with a staff deeply focused on meeting customer needs, a quality Joe highly values in his partnership with the bank.
Phil Van Hooser - Board Member
Phil Van Hooser has been a member of the Board of Directors for Farmers Bank & Trust Company since August 2005. Motivated by the opportunity to serve his community, he brings his professional training, experience, and expertise to benefit shareholders, employees, and customers. Balancing his board responsibilities with personal and professional life is a challenge he meets through planning, prioritization, and personal discipline. Guided by the values of focused preparation, hard work, and personal sacrifice, Phil strives to serve others and make a difference in his leadership roles. His broad business perspective extends beyond western Kentucky, offering the board a global viewpoint while maintaining a local focus. Phil appreciates Farmers Bank as a primary financial lifeline for his family, valuing its solid advice, encouragement, and support throughout his life, from his first passbook savings account to the trusted resource it remains in his golden years.
Michael Faughn - Board Member
Michael Faughn joined the Farmers Bank Board of Directors in January 2024, motivated by the opportunity to be part of an organization deeply involved in the community and to work alongside familiar, respected board members. As a new Director, he is committed to learning the ropes and contributing to the bank’s ongoing success. His vision is for the bank to remain an anchor for the community, supporting local businesses and individuals’ financial needs. Balancing board responsibilities with personal and professional life can be challenging, especially with young children, but Michael manages through proactive planning and daily coordination with his wife, Nichelle. As a CPA, he brings valuable skills in financial analysis and strategic planning for businesses, informed by his experience with the local small business community. Michael continues to grow and learn by taking several continuing education classes throughout the year.
Jeff McDaniels - CEO
Jeff McDaniels joined Farmers Bank in the fall of 2007 and became the bank’s President/CEO on July 1, 2008. A Yale University graduate with a career spanning the banking industry since 1991, Jeff has focused exclusively on community banks since 2003. He is a strong advocate for the community bank model, appreciating its ability to foster personal connections between the bank and its customers. Since joining Farmers, Jeff has embodied the Community Driven ethos, taking on leadership roles with the regional economic development board, Caldwell County’s youth sports organization, and Princeton’s local country club. His passion for the community also extended to 13 years of coaching basketball at both middle and high school levels, for both girls’ and boys’ programs. Jeff’s wife, Shellie, is a retired educator, and together they have three children.
