[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 3730-3731]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ANDREW SHEPARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness today to honor my 
friend Andrew Shepard who passed away on January 20, 2009, in Santa 
Rosa, California. Andy was a longtime executive with Exchange Bank who 
devoted himself to his family, his community, and his fly fishing.
  Born in Chicago in 1924, Andy grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and Pebble 
Beach, California. He joined the Army in 1943 and distinguished himself 
fighting in France where he won numerous honors including the Combat 
Infantryman's Badge 1st Award and the Bronze Star. After his discharge 
in 1946, Andy attended Stanford University, graduating in 1949 with a 
degree in Economics. He soon joined Exchange Bank as a teller, working 
his way up to CEO in a career that spanned 60 years.
  By 1969, Andy was appointed CEO and President of the bank, a position 
he held until

[[Page 3731]]

1991 when he was named Chairman of the Board. Upon his retirement in 
2003, Andy served as Chairman Emeritus and continued to visit his 
office until a few months ago, despite being debilitated by a bone 
marrow disorder.
  Andy was known as a banker's banker, and his years of leadership at 
Exchange Bank were marked by solid investments that assured good 
dividends combined with innovations such as being one of the first 
banks in the community to introduce ATMs and drive-through tellers. He 
also set a priority on personable customer and employee relations, 
which he exemplified with his own ready smile and kind words. During 
his tenure the bank grew from three offices to 19, with a focus on 
small account-holders.
  But it is his promotion of Exchange Bank's greatest gift to the 
community--the Frank P. Doyle Scholarships--that truly marked Andy's 
banking career. The scholarship program, founded by Frank Doyle almost 
60 years ago, provides bank dividends for a fund which assists students 
at Santa Rosa Junior College. Over the years, $78 million has been 
awarded to more than 112,000 students. Unfortunately, the bank has 
recently had to suspend these dividends, but Andy was confident that, 
with the bank's long-term stability, they will be restored. He also 
founded and/or served on the boards of numerous community organizations 
such as the Community Foundation Sonoma County, Santa Rosa Symphony, 
Memorial Hospital, Heart Association of the Redwood Empire, and United 
Way.
  Andy also had active leadership roles in two key banking 
organizations, the California Bankers Association and the American 
Bankers Association as well as the Independent Bankers of Northern 
California, the American Institute of Banking and the Conference of 
State Bank Supervisors. Among his numerous awards are the California 
Human Development Corporation Aztec Award, Pacific Coast Banking School 
Hall of Fame, Santa Rosa Junior College Floyd Bailey Award and 
President's Medallion, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce Boss of the 
Year.
  In 1993, Andy married Mardi Casebolt who shared his passions for golf 
and fly fishing. Andy was proud of his chairmanship of the Ladies 
Professional Golf Association and enjoyed his time at a fly fishing 
lodge he co-founded in Colorado which has been featured on national 
television fishing shows. In addition to Mardi, Andy is survived by 
daughters Marcy Lyons and Susan Ball, stepdaughters Debbie Bird and 
Trece O'Donnell, four grandchildren, and five step grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Andrew Shepard's life leaves a deep imprint on the 
banking industry, on the Sonoma community, and on his many friends and 
family. He was an inspiration to me, and I will miss him so much. Thank 
you, Andy, for all your wonderful work and commitment and for your 
friendship.

                          ____________________