John Mann honored with 2020 Best of Community Banking Award

Chelsea State Bank recently announced Chairman and CEO John Mann has received The Best of Community Banking Award for 2020 by the Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM).

Mann was honored with this prestigious award at CBM Annual Convention held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City in September with his family present.

The Best of Community Banking Award is given each year at the Community Bankers of Michigan Annual Convention. The award recognizes the contributions and success of a Michigan community banker. Special recognition is given to community bankers who have made significant contributions to their communities and the community banking industry.

“Receiving this award is truly an honor,” said Chelsea State Bank Chairman and CEO John Mann.

“Leadership in my community is something I grew up with beginning with parents, teachers, coaches and classmates. And community banking has been in my family now for decades. Needless to say – I learned a lot along the way. I am grateful for all the employees, directors, and customers of Chelsea State Bank for making my work so gratifying over the past 32 years.” 

Mann began his banking career with National Bank of Detroit in 1983.  He joined Chelsea State Bank in 1988, became president and CEO of the bank in 1994, elected to the Board of Directors in 1990, and was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2005.

Under his leadership the bank has seen assets grow to $364 million from $93.5 million, and capital grow to $40.7 million from $11.2 million. 

“It is with great pleasure that we honor John Mann with The Best of Community Banking Award this year,” said CBM President and CEO Michael Tierney. “John exemplifies everything this award is intended to recognize; highlighting an excellent community banker focused on his involvement and success in and outside the bank ensuring the communities served are truly enriched by the actions of the bank and his leadership.”

As a community banker, Mann’s dedication to the Chelsea community is deeply rooted and has been an integral part of the growth of the community and Chelsea State Bank.

A lifelong resident of Chelsea, Mann attended Chelsea High School where he played varsity football, basketball and baseball.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College majoring in Biology, and then worked three years for Chrysler Corporation as an emissions engineer. After a summer in Alaska, including a month long 400-mile canoe trip above the Arctic Circle, Mann married Anne Treado.

He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Duke University, Durham, NC. He and Anne raised their three children in Chelsea and now have two grandchildren.

In June, Mann announced he would begin working part time in January 2021. At that time, Chelsea State Bank President Joanne Rau will become president and CEO, and Mann will remain chairman of the board. He plans to spend more time with Anne and their grandchildren.

In 2017, Mann was awarded Chelsea’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to the citizens of Chelsea and Washtenaw County by the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.

An unassuming community advocate, Mann has given so much of his time to the Chelsea United Way, United Methodist Retirement Community Foundation, Chelsea Community Foundation, Chelsea Community Fair Livestock Auction and the Purple Rose Theatre Company, where he was the treasurer for 28 years. Chelsea Community Hospital, Chelsea Stadium Drive, Ele’s Place and Huron Waterloo Pathways have all benefited from John’s assistance with fundraising to make a greater impact on the community.