WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John W. Ryan has been named President and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) as of September 1, 2011, with full responsibilities taking effect January 1, 2012.  Ryan will succeed Neil Milner, who has served as President and CEO since October 1996 and is retiring at the end of the year.

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John P. Ducrest, Louisiana Commissioner of Financial Institutions and Chairman of CSBS, made the announcement today following a lengthy search led by a group of state commissioners representing a broad cross-section of CSBS membership.  "John's broad knowledge of the financial services industry and state financial supervision, joined with his strategic and intellectual perspective, made him the unanimous choice for this position," Ducrest said.  "John has served CSBS for more than a decade leading CSBS's public policy objectives and representing the interests of state financial regulators before Congress.  His commitment to CSBS's mission combined with his excellent communication and leadership skills make him an invaluable asset to CSBS.  The Board looks forward to working with John to build upon the accomplishments of CSBS."

"Thank you to the search committee and to the CSBS Executive Committee for their commitment and dedication to finding our next leader of CSBS," Ducrest added.  "I would also like to thank Neil Milner for his years of service and dedication to CSBS.  During his tenure at CSBS, we have seen incredible growth in the areas for which we advocate, as well as the complexity of issues we deal with.  Neil has provided tremendous leadership and vision for CSBS.  He has also put together a team of professionals who will continue to represent the state system with passion and dedication."

"It is a unique honor and privilege to be asked to serve as the next President and CEO of CSBS.   I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the dedicated and skilled state regulators that make up our membership," Ryan said.  "A vibrant state regulatory system is critical to economic stability and growth, consumer protection, and an innovative financial services industry.  I can't think of a better mission."  Ryan continued, "Thanks to the hard work of state bank regulators, current President and CEO Neil Milner, and the talented staff at CSBS, the state financial system is well positioned to emerge from the challenging current economic environment stronger than ever before."

Ryan joined CSBS in 1997 as an assistant vice president for legislative affairs. He currently serves as executive vice president of CSBS, a post he has held since Oct. 1, 2003.  From 1994 to 1997, Ryan worked at Newmyer Associates, a public affairs consulting firm, where he led the company's financial services consulting practice.  Prior to that, Ryan spent four years as a professional staff member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.  In 1993, Ryan received a fellowship from the Commission of the European Union to work in its financial institutions directorate in Brussels, Belgium.  Ryan received a B.A. in political science and economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988.  

Ryan's tenure as President and CEO will follow that of Neil Milner.  Before joining CSBS, Milner was executive vice president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association, a position he held since 1972.  Milner began his banking association career as deputy manager and public relations director for the Ohio Bankers Association, and later served as executive manager of the South Dakota Bankers Association.  Milner is a native of Leesburg, Ohio, and a graduate of the Ohio State University.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure with CSBS," Milner stated.  "I am proud of the progress CSBS has made with the vision of great volunteer leadership and an outstanding professional staff.  John has been key to that progress during my time here.  I am eager to see the further advancements the state system will make under John's able leadership."

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) is the nationwide organization of banking regulators from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. State banking regulators supervise over 5,600 state-chartered financial institutions. Further, the majority of state banking departments also regulate a variety of non-bank financial services providers, including mortgage lenders. For more than a century, CSBS has given state supervisors a national forum to coordinate supervision of their regulated entities and to develop regulatory policy.  CSBS also provides training to state banking and financial regulators and represents its members before Congress and the federal financial regulatory agencies.

SOURCE Conference of State Bank Supervisors