Job Search Status
Open to workDesired start date: Flexible
Open To Work
RANDALL BAKER
Covington,LA
Work Preference
Summary
Strategic financial services executive with 30 years of progressive leadership experience spanning banking operations, enterprise transformation, digital banking, technology modernization, corporate development, and growth strategy, including two Chief Executive Officer appointments and an enterprise Chief Operating Officer role within a publicly traded bank holding company. Proven record partnering with CEOs, Boards of Directors, regulators, investors, and executive leadership teams to translate enterprise strategy into measurable operating performance, organizational growth, and sustainable value creation. Recognized for leading complex enterprise initiatives including digital transformation, AI adoption and governance, data strategy, technology modernization, M&A, divestitures, post-merger integration, operational restructuring, regulatory readiness, and performance improvement. Co-led a $200 million initial public offering, built a de novo digital banking business from concept through market launch, and successfully established online and digital banking platforms across four financial institutions. Delivered $6.4 million in operating cost savings through workflow redesign, workforce optimization, and contract renegotiation while strengthening enterprise KPI frameworks, operating cadence, accountability, and Board-level
performance reporting. Chaired enterprise AI Governance and Data Governance committees, establishing responsible AI, model risk, data governance, and regulatory-alignment frameworks to support disciplined technology adoption within a regulated financial institution. Brings exceptional Board and governance fluency, including seven years of leadership as Chairman of a $300 million health system, with responsibility for CEO succession, executive compensation, capital planning, strategic partnerships, and acquisition activity.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal, AI Strategy and Governance Advisor
AI Governance and Adoption Advisory
Covington, LA
06.2026 - Current
- Advise executive leadership teams and corporate Boards on enterprise AI strategy, responsible AI adoption, risk management, governance, and executive-level oversight, translating emerging technology opportunities into actionable business strategies.
- Design and implement AI governance frameworks addressing transparency, model risk, regulatory alignment, accountability, and responsible innovation to move organizations from isolated experimentation toward disciplined enterprise-scale adoption.
- Align AI initiatives with enterprise operating strategy, risk frameworks, data governance, and organizational objectives, strengthening executive decision-making and governance readiness within regulated environments.
- Guide senior stakeholders on AI transformation and adoption strategies, balancing innovation, operational value, regulatory expectations, and enterprise risk while establishing sustainable governance practices.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
FB Bancorp, Inc. and Fidelity Bank
New Orleans, LA
04.2022 - 06.2026
- Co-led a $200M initial public offering, directing enterprise readiness, cross-functional execution, strategic workstreams, and board- and investor-facing materials to support successful access to growth capital.
- Led enterprise digital transformation and technology modernization, launching a full digital banking division from concept through market while aligning technology, product, compliance, marketing, and operations to expand digital access and customer reach.
- Delivered $6.4M in operating cost savings through enterprise workflow redesign, workforce optimization, and contract renegotiation while establishing KPI frameworks and executive operating cadences that strengthened accountability and performance visibility.
- Directed enterprise governance, AI strategy, data governance, regulatory readiness, and strategic portfolio initiatives, including the 2026 divestiture of the NOLA Lending mortgage division, technology and core-platform strategy, model-risk standards, and board-ready reporting.
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Citizens Federal Savings Bank
Leavenworth, Kansas
09.2017 - 03.2022
- Directed enterprise turnaround strategy with full P&L, strategic, and regulatory accountability, delivering 38% annual loan growth, reducing delinquency to 0.24%, and eliminating $24 million in institutional debt while reporting directly to the Board.
- Led digital transformation from platform selection through launch and customer adoption, establishing a new online and digital banking platform that earned recognition as the market's best bank.
- Built new revenue-generating businesses from the ground up, including commercial lending and card and payments operations, creating durable recurring fee income and strengthening the institution's growth platform.
- Built and developed a high-performing executive management team, expanding the division 16% within 18 months while driving sustained operational performance and earning 2022 Business of the Year recognition for performance and community impact.
Co-Founder and Principal
OmniLife
North Kansas City, Missouri
06.2016 - 09.2017
- Co-founded and built a virtual reality technology company from inception, developing immersive applications serving gaming, K–12 education, and memory-care research markets.
- Owned product strategy, commercial strategy, and partnership development, establishing business direction and market positioning within an emerging technology category.
- Translated emerging technology concepts into commercial opportunities, guiding product development and market strategy across multiple customer and industry segments.
- Managed entrepreneurial venture development and stakeholder relationships, ultimately selling an equity stake to a business partner to return to executive leadership in financial services.
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Lawson Bank
Gladstone, Missouri
12.2014 - 04.2017
- Led enterprise transformation and performance improvement, elevating the institution from 40th to a top-five strongest bank in the Kansas City metropolitan area within 18 months and positioning the organization for a successful acquisition.
- Diversified the business model by launching three new revenue lines across card and merchant services, payment services, and wealth management, reducing dependence on traditional spread income.
- Directed digital banking modernization, launching a new online and digital banking platform that improved customer delivery and supported deposit growth without requiring additional branch infrastructure.
- Delivered sustained financial and commercial growth, achieving 12% commercial loan growth, maintaining superior credit quality, and exceeding net income targets for three consecutive years.
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
Citizens Bank and Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
07.2007 - 12.2014
- Led enterprise sales transformation and digital marketing across 20 locations, implementing Salesforce CRM and establishing a data-driven performance and accountability framework.
- Directed strategic business lines and growth initiatives spanning wealth management, private banking, card services and payments, product development, treasury management, and marketing.
- Accelerated consumer payments growth, increasing credit card sales 82% and 81% across consecutive multi-year periods and generating $500,000 in annual net fee income through a branded consumer debit program.
- Led enterprise digital channel modernization by implementing a new online and digital banking platform across the franchise, establishing the institution's first data-driven digital customer channel while reducing marketing expense 35% through an in-house agency model.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Hillcrest Bank
Overland Park, Kansas
04.2004 - 04.2007
- Led enterprise retail banking, treasury, mortgage, marketing, card services, and deposit operations across a five-state footprint.
- Directed cross-functional operating performance and service delivery, aligning multiple business units around efficiency, customer experience, revenue generation, and operational execution.
- Drove enterprise efficiency and operational discipline, contributing to an institution recognized as the most efficient bank in the nation with a 27% efficiency ratio.
- Provided executive leadership across a complex multi-state banking organization, strengthening operating capabilities and positioning the institution for continued growth and strategic development.
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales
First Federal Bank
Kansas City, Missouri
02.2002 - 04.2004
- Partnered directly with the Chief Executive Officer across retail banking, information technology, mortgage, card services, strategic planning, and merger and acquisition initiatives.
- Supported enterprise strategic planning and transformation initiatives, aligning business priorities across core banking, technology, customer acquisition, and operational functions.
- Led marketing and sales strategy to strengthen customer acquisition, revenue generation, and institutional growth.
- Advanced technology-enabled operational improvement through automation of loan origination processes and cross-functional coordination with information technology and banking operations.
Senior Vice President, Retail Banking and Operations
Bank Liberty
Liberal, Missouri
12.1999 - 02.2002
- Led retail banking and enterprise operations, overseeing branch network performance, deposit operations, service delivery, and customer experience.
- Drove branch and operational performance initiatives to strengthen efficiency, service quality, deposit growth, and organizational accountability.
- Managed cross-functional banking operations across frontline service, deposits, branch performance, and operational execution.
- Provided senior leadership for retail banking transformation, aligning service delivery and operating practices with broader institutional growth objectives.
Senior Vice President of Lending
Kansas State University Federal Credit Union
Manhattan, Kansas
04.1994 - 12.1999
- Led the lending function, overseeing credit policy, portfolio performance, loan operations, and lending strategy.
- Directed credit and portfolio management practices to support sound risk management, asset quality, and sustainable lending growth.
- Oversaw loan operations and credit processes, strengthening operational discipline and execution across the lending organization.
- Provided senior leadership across lending strategy and risk management, establishing a foundation for subsequent executive leadership in banking operations and enterprise strategy.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Finance and Economics
Kansas State University
Graduate Certificate - Business and Consumer Lending
CUNA Graduate School of Lending, University of Wisconsin
Skills
AI Strategy
Data Strategy
Data Governance
Digital Transformation
Post-Merger Optimization
Transaction Execution
Operational Restructuring
Enterprise Performance Improvement
Operational Efficiency
Cost Optimization
P&L Management
Financial Performance
Corporate Governance
Regulatory Readiness
Model Risk Governance
Stakeholder Communications
Investor Relations
Executive Communications
Organizational Change Management
Executive Leadership
Team Development
Product Strategy
Digital Customer Experience
IPO
Capital Markets
Strategic Planning
KPI Development
Performance Management
Emerging Technology Ventures
Board Governance And Advisory Service
- IBERTY HOSPITAL - $300 MILLION HEALTH SYSTEM, Chairman, Board of Trustees, 04/01/16-4/25/22, Provided Board-level governance and strategic oversight for a $300 million health system, including strategic planning, budgets, capital investment, organizational expansion, and enterprise performance., Led CEO and senior leadership evaluation, succession planning, and executive compensation processes, strengthening leadership continuity and governance effectiveness., Led strategic partnership negotiations with MU Health System and completed the strategic acquisition of a surgery center, expanding service capabilities and the organization's revenue base., Advised on enterprise governance, capital allocation, strategic growth, and organizational performance, bringing direct Board-level experience relevant to executive leadership, investor relations, risk oversight, and corporate governance.
- Additional advisory service, Candescent Executive Counsel, Upstart Customer Advisory Board and Risk Council, Freehealth.ai, FISC Strategic Technology Committee, Louisiana Bankers Association Technology Peer Group, Kansas State University Executive Mentor
Personal Information
- Available: Open to Remote or Hybrid, and Nationwide relocation
Timeline
Principal, AI Strategy and Governance Advisor
AI Governance and Adoption Advisory
06.2026 - Current
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
FB Bancorp, Inc. and Fidelity Bank
04.2022 - 06.2026
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Citizens Federal Savings Bank
09.2017 - 03.2022
Co-Founder and Principal
OmniLife
06.2016 - 09.2017
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Lawson Bank
12.2014 - 04.2017
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
Citizens Bank and Trust
07.2007 - 12.2014
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Hillcrest Bank
04.2004 - 04.2007
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales
First Federal Bank
02.2002 - 04.2004
Senior Vice President, Retail Banking and Operations
Bank Liberty
12.1999 - 02.2002
Senior Vice President of Lending
Kansas State University Federal Credit Union
04.1994 - 12.1999
Bachelor of Science - Finance and Economics
Kansas State University
Graduate Certificate - Business and Consumer Lending
CUNA Graduate School of Lending, University of Wisconsin