Ron Baldwin, a long-time Wichita, Kansas resident, had 34 years of distinguished banking service before becoming one of three initial organizers of CrossFirst Bank in Kansas City in 2007. With Baldwin at the helm, this group of three bankers and 12 outside directors raised more than $15 million in capital from nearly 200 private investors. That’s twice the capital typically needed to start a bank in Kansas – all in the midst of a national financial crisis. To date, parent company CrossFirst Holdings, LLC has raised a total of $250 million in capital from nearly 1,250 investors. In less than 10 years, Baldwin and his team have built a $2.4 billion banking organization that continues to defy growth expectations in Kansas City, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Dallas.

The CrossFirst Bank journey began when Ron and wife Cindy moved from Wichita to Kansas City in 2005 to be near their children and grandchildren. Baldwin became Managing Member of The Standard, LLC, dba Standard Style Boutique and Baldwin Men’s Shop, founded and run by his son and daughter-in-law. An example of the Baldwin family’s vision and skill for entrepreneurism, the company thrived and has developed a national presence. Son, Matt Baldwin, was recently named Best New Menswear Designer by GQ Magazine and a 2015 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist.

Before founding CrossFirst Bank, Baldwin spent the majority of his 44 year banking career in leadership at Fourth Financial Corporation/BANK IV which grew from $200 million to $8 billion in assets before being acquired by Bank of America. He then became President and COO at Intrust Bank which increased assets from $1.2 billion to $3.2 billion during his nearly 10-year term. Baldwin’s banking career began in 1972 when he started work filing checks for Fourth National Bank while earning his business degree at Wichita State University. He also obtained a CPA designation. Over the course of his long career, Baldwin has led the acquisition of more than 60 banks.

Baldwin is a current board member of Kanakuk Ministries, a Christian athletic camp based in Branson, Missouri with more than 20,000 campers each year. He is a past chairman of the Wichita State Foundation, which had assets totaling $150 million. Baldwin has served on numerous other community and banking-related boards and works to instill a culture of serving others in the companies he leads.

Baldwin has been married to wife Cindy for more than 40 years. They were long-time members of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita and now attend Olathe Bible Church. The couple resides in Overland Park, Kansas and have two married children and six grandchildren.