Defiance Area, Ohio News

Rurban Financial Corp announced that Thomas A. Buis gave notice of his intention to retire as director effective Feb. 20.

Upon the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee, Gary Cates was elected to serve as a director on the boards of Rurban and State Bank for the remainder of Buis' term, which expires in 2015.

Buis has been a director of Rurban since 2001 and also served on the board of Rurban's subsidiary banks from 1990 to the present. He has retired from both the Rurban and The State Bank and Trust Company boards.

Mark Klein, president and chief executive officer of Rurban Financial Corp. and State Bank, stated, "Tom Buis has served us well during his twenty-three year tenure with the Rurban family. His counsel will be missed by us all.

"We are fortunate that Gary Cates will be joining both of our boards to serve out the remainder of Tom's term.," Klein said. "Gary brings to Rurban over 30 years' experience as a senior-level executive, with a strong background in strategic planning, business development, human resources and communications.

"These areas of expertise, combined with Gary's exceptional leadership skills, are welcome additions to our board. I am confident that Gary will be an asset to Rurban and our board of directors. Speaking on behalf of the entire board, we welcome him to our organization," he said.

Cates has served in various executive capacities with the non-profit ProMedica Health System since 2000. He is currently President of ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital, an acute care facility located in Defiance.

He also serves as President of ProMedica Transportation Network, based in Toledo, which provides patient ground and air transportation across 27 counties in two states.

Cates holds an master of business administration. degree from the University of Michigan, with concentration areas in finance and international business, and a bachelor of art's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Since his move to the Defiance area in 2008, Cates has been active in a variety of civic and business activities, including serving as director on State Bank's Defiance Advisory Board since 2012. He is a board member of the Defiance County United Way and a former board member of the Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce.

He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Defiance. Cates resides in Defiance with his wife, Debbie.