ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., and ChoiceOne Bank (NASDAQ: COFS) (“ChoiceOne”) are pleased to announce ChoiceOne Chief Executive Officer Kelly Potes is once again named one of Crain’s Grand Rapids GR200 Most Influential Leaders.
“We are extremely pleased to announce that Kelly has received this prestigious award from Crain’s Grand Rapids for the third consecutive year,” said ChoiceOne Chairman of the Boards Gregory McConnell. “While Kelly has a distinct style of leadership, it is always guided by his remarkable financial insight which is respectful, thoughtful and strategic. As a true leader, he relies on his expert teams to focus on strategy, markets, and the customer experience, including public outreach into the communities ChoiceOne serves.”
According to Crain’s Grand Rapids, West Michigan’s dynamic business climate is full of visionaries, passionate leaders and people who thrive on making a difference in their organizations and the community at large. Crain’s Grand Rapids GR200 has compiled a third list of the Most Influential Leaders in West Michigan. Collectively, they shepherd billions of dollars of investment and touch the lives of thousands of employees, all while contributing to the local economy. These are the captains of industry who have molded the region’s economy into what it is today and driven it to evolve and innovate in ways that ensure its future remains bright.
“Receiving this award is always humbling to me. I am honored that Crain’s Grand Rapids has added me to their list of the Most Influential Leaders these last three years,” said ChoiceOne CEO Kelly Potes. “At the same time, I attribute this esteemed nomination to every ChoiceOne employee. We are all focused on our mission to provide superior service, quality advice and show utmost respect to everyone we meet, and our vision to be the best bank in Michigan. Receiving this award continues to clarify our true purpose – to serve the families, farmers and businesses in our communities.”
As Chief Executive Officer of ChoiceOne, Potes has held this position since 2016, as well as a director of ChoiceOne and ChoiceOne Bank since 2015. Potes served as the President of ChoiceOne from 2015 to 2019. Joining ChoiceOne in 1984, Potes held various management and executive positions. Today, under Potes’ leadership, ChoiceOne has grown to an approximately $4.3 billion-asset bank holding company, from $560 million in 2015.
ChoiceOne President Michael J. Burke, Jr. said, “As we continue to grow our community bank, we remain focused on our mission and vision. Both maintain our remarkable culture of diversity, expertise, and compassion and have an incredible impact on our employees, customers and communities. Our entire ChoiceOne team is elated that Kelly is once again named one of Crain’s Grand Rapids GR200 Most Influential Leaders. It’s a notable recognition showcasing the impact Kelly has made over the years in our organization and the communities we serve throughout Michigan.”
Potes graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. He has his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. Potes is also a graduate of the prestigious ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Holding numerous community and leadership positions throughout his career, Potes currently serves as a director of Sparta Downtown Development Authority. He sits on the board of the Community Bankers of Michigan and is currently serving as Past Chairman. Potes also serves on the Deacon Board for the Kent City Baptist Church.
Potes has received many awards throughout his career including the Crain’s Grand Rapids GR200 Most Influential Leaders in 2023 and 2024 and the Best of Community Banking Award from the Community Bankers of Michigan in 2022.
About Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Crain’s Grand Rapids Business is one of more than 20 brands owned by Crain Communications, one of the largest privately owned business media companies. Crain’s Grand Rapids Business launched in 2023, bringing together MiBiz, the Grand Rapids Business Journal and Crain Communications to create the top source of business news, analysis and information in West Michigan.
About ChoiceOne
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, with assets over $4.3 billion, and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank. Member FDIC. ChoiceOne Bank operates 54 offices in West, Central and Southeast Michigan. ChoiceOne Bank offers insurance and investment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “COFS.” For more information, please visit Investor Relations at ChoiceOne’s website choiceone.bank.