John Denkler

John Denkler is the President and CEO of First State Bancshares, with a 40-year career in banking. His journey includes roles as COO and Chief Lending Officer at First State Community Bank and began as a Bank Examiner for Missouri. He holds a degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Finance from Missouri State University.

Outside of his career, John is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and is getting back into fishing. He and his wife, Kris, have four children and six grandchildren. He is actively involved in his community, supporting various charities like the Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, and local food banks through family traditions of giving.

Johns passion for the agricultural community stems from his youth, where he learned to milk cows on his grandfathers dairy farm in Hannibal, Missouri.