Technology Leadership Redefining the Future of Community Banking

Rob Beachy, Chief Information Officer, Sturgis Bank

Rob Beachy, Chief Information Officer, Sturgis Bank

Rob Beachy, CIO of Sturgis Bank & Trust, exemplifies visionary leadership in the community banking sector. Since assuming the position of CIO at Sturgis Bank, prior to a 22-year tenure as Vice President of Information Technology at the same institution, Beachy has implemented 40 distinct efficiency projects that have fundamentally reimagined how a community bank operates. The impact is staggering: 655 hours saved monthly, translating into nearly 8,000 hours annually, akin to adding four full-time employees without the associated costs.

In this interview, Beachy shares how communication, collaboration and servant leadership drive technology at Sturgis Bank. His approach fosters efficiency, innovation and trust while positioning community banking for long-term success.

Approach to Leading IT Strategy

The role of any CIO, especially in the banking sector, extends beyond technical expertise. Two qualities I emphasize with my staff are communication and collaboration. These two Cs are central to everything we do. You cannot put IT in a silo and expect it to meet the needs of employees or customers. I often remind my team to check their individual egos at the door. Every task should begin with a teamwork mindset. The customer's focus and vision must always come first.

From a CIO's perspective, whether working with end users, IT staff or customers, the best approach is to act as a servant leader. That means focusing on driving value for others, allowing them to define what value means and then working with them to achieve their goals in each project.

Managing Immediate Needs with Long-Term Goals

Balancing short-term and long-term priorities starts with a good strategic plan. You need to know where you are today and where you want to go, both in the near and long term.

I like to follow agile principles by securing short, quick wins that build excitement and momentum. Each success, whether large or small, drives engagement and reinforces progress. I also ensure that my team feels a true sense of ownership over every project. When people see the project as their own, they work harder to ensure its success.

Strategic plans can face scope creep, which needs to be managed carefully by distinguishing near-term wins from long-term goals. You cannot abandon what works today, but you should always pursue continuous improvement with tomorrow's technology in mind. Pivot quickly if something drives better efficiency, faster delivery or stronger outcomes. The key is balance.

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Technology is constantly evolving, and new buzzwords often drive interest in tools that may not have a real purpose. For me, technology should never be applied just for its own sake. Every project must have a clear end goal, a defined reason and a meaningful outcome that delivers lasting value.

“The two Cs—communication and collaboration—are central to everything we do. Every task should begin with a teamwork mindset”

But the biggest challenges I face today are not technical, as I have a strong team that manages those aspects effectively. The greater struggle is overcoming pushback on change. Many people become comfortable in the status quo, believing that if things are not broken, they do not need to be fixed. CIOs must demonstrate the value proposition of change. Even if processes work fine today, efficiencies can give staff back time to focus on higher-value tasks.

The Road Ahead for Banking Technology

A significant portion of today's technology conversation revolves around artificial intelligence (AI). It has quickly become a buzzword, but the real challenge is helping staff understand that AI is much more than ChatGPT. AI has many facets, and that diversity is what makes it powerful, exciting and a core driver of future initiatives.

One area of growing importance is the integration of generative AI into systems in a way that enhances value. Even more critical is the advancement of agentic AI and predictive analytics. These tools enable us to identify risks before they escalate. They can highlight unusual activity before it becomes fraud or warn us of loans likely to go past due so we can act in advance. By intervening early, we can implement proactive solutions that deliver measurable value.

Another critical technology is robotic process automation (RPA). Although it's not a new concept, RPA continues to generate meaningful efficiency gains. Automated processes that run overnight enable staff to begin their day with tasks already completed and insights readily available. This shift reduces repetitive work, freeing time for higher-value efforts. When employees feel supported and engaged, customers ultimately benefit through better service and satisfaction.

Essential Skills for Aspiring Tech Professionals

For long-term success, many assume a CIO will immediately point to technology. From my standpoint, technical expertise is essential, but soft skills are even more critical. Anyone rising to the level of CIO or executive is expected to have it.

What sets leaders apart is the ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders. I speak to my technology staff very differently than I do with the board of directors, and even that differs from conversations with senior executives. The skill lies in adjusting your message, building analogies and making technical concepts clear to non-technical people.

Collaboration is just as important. Too often, I see technology professionals isolating themselves in silos. However, the real value lies in teamwork and aligning with customer needs, whether those customers are internal employees or external clients.

At the end of the day, every executive has to focus on driving efficiency. But communication and collaboration ultimately build the foundation of effective strategic leadership.

AI

Information Technology

Artificial Intelligence

Predictive Analytics

Robotic Process Automation

Agile

Process Automation

Fraud