First Option Bank Celebrates
Gregg Lewis' 50-Year Milestone

Serving Our Customers Since 1923

For more than a century, First Option Bank has been committed to helping our customers thrive financially while strengthening the communities we call home. Since opening our doors in 1923, our goal has remained the same: provide exceptional banking services with honesty, integrity, and a deep sense of community stewardship.

Over the decades, the banking industry has evolved dramatically—but one thing hasn’t changed: our dedication to the people we serve. That commitment is embodied by leaders like Gregg Lewis, who recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone—50 years of service with First Option Bank.

A Legacy of Leadership

The Lewis family’s story with banking began in 1959 when Ted and Janet Lewis moved to Paola, Kansas to work for Miami County National Bank. In 1970, Ted purchased First National Bank (now First Option Bank) and relocated with his family to Osawatomie. Ted instilled a strong sense of integrity and community in his children—Gordon, Gregg, and Irene—from a young age.

Five years after acquisition, a new bank facility opened at 601 Main Street. On that very day, June 12, 1975, Gregg Lewis began his banking career as a teller.

From those early days, Gregg embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. Over the years, he held roles in marketing, compliance, and lending before stepping into leadership as President and CEO, continuing the family tradition of service and innovation.

Pictured above is "Moving Day" from across the street to the new facility in 1975. 

Growth and Expansion

Gregg took over bank leadership from his father, Ted, in the early 90's. Under his leadership, First Option Bank expanded beyond its original footprint:

• 1993: Opened a second location in Paola
• 1999: Rebranded as First Option Bank to create a unique identity separate from over 50 First National Banks in Kansas at that time
• 2000: Added branches in La Cygne and Louisburg
• 2007: Added a fifth branch in Spring Hill
• 2009: Acquired the Trust Department from another bank in Miami County in order to keep local dollars local
• 2019: Acquired Pony Express Bank, adding four northern locations in Elwood, Troy, Horton, Kansas, and Saint Joseph, Missouri
• 2023: Opened our tenth branch in Overland Park

Today, First Option Bank proudly serves customers across Kansas and Missouri, continuing the tradition of community-focused banking that Gregg helped shape. Gregg retired from the day-to-day operations of the bank in 2016 and remains an active member of the First Option Bank Board of Directors. 

Celebrating People and Moments

At First Option Bank, we believe success is built on relationships. That means calling people by name, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and celebrating both the little and the big wins. Gregg has modeled this approach for decades—whether congratulating a team member on a personal milestone or recognizing achievements that move our bank forward. These small gestures create a culture where people feel valued, and that’s what makes First Option Bank more than a financial institution—it makes us family.

Looking Ahead

Gregg’s 50-year journey is more than a milestone—it’s a testament to the values that define First Option Bank: integrity, exceptional service, and commitment to community. As we celebrate Gregg’s remarkable career, we also look forward to building on this legacy for generations to come.

Blake Heid, current CEO and President of First Option Bank reflects, “Since the bank’s purchase in the 70s by the Lewis family, Gregg’s involvement in the bank has built on a legacy of service above self, started by his father Ted.  After retirement from the day-to-day operations of the bank, Gregg has continued to provide leadership and input as a member of the board of directors on which he still serves.  His passion for Community Banking and what it stands for has been imprinted into the DNA of all employees and lived out in the communities that we serve.  Thanks for 50 years with First Option Bank, and we look forward to many more.”

Watch First Option Bank's video commemorating Gregg’s 50-Years of "Banking At Its Best." 
https://youtu.be/s5OmfXyhapM?si=ETOauMBpL_RPkQE9

Congratulations, Gregg, and thank you for your decades of leadership and dedication!