Experienced Leadership Team

Orvin T. Kimbrough serves as Chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre.  Since joining as CEO in 2019, Orv has led the bank to more than double its net income while deepening its commitment to values-based banking and shared prosperity. His visionary approach integrates social impact with financial services, driving innovation and inclusivity within the bank and beyond.

A visionary leader in community and economic development, Kimbrough has spearheaded transformative initiatives like Impact Banking and the Rising Together Foundation, both of which reflect his unwavering commitment to creating lasting change. His leadership is not just about driving profits; it’s about fostering opportunities for everyone to rise together.

Prior to Midwest BankCentre, Orv spent nearly two decades in nonprofit leadership, most notably as President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis, where he helped grow it into the nation’s largest affiliate, raising nearly $80 million annually.

His influence extends beyond the corporate world as he has served or currently serves on various public and private boards, including United Way Worldwide, Korte Construction, Core & Main (a publicly traded company), the Federal Reserve’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC), and as a Commissioner with the National Academy of Medicine.  He is the author of Twice Over A Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life, as well as an avid writer, speaker, and coach. He holds degrees in social work, business, and theology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Aquinas Institute of Theology.  Through it all, Kimbrough remains focused on one goal: lifting others as he continues to rise.

Danny Pogue serves as President – Commercial, Retail and Small Business Banking at Midwest BankCentre, overseeing business growth across key segments including commercial, treasury management, SBA and retail. Under his direction the commercial, consumer banking and small business banking divisions focus on growing businesses and strengthening relationships. Since joining the bank in 2010, he has been instrumental in strengthening customer relationships and expanding market share.  With over 40 years of experience in commercial banking, he has held leadership roles at Mark Twain, Missouri State, and Southwest/M&I Banks.

Danny is an active leader in the St. Louis community, serving as the former President of the Lemay Chamber of Commerce, former director for Lemay Development Corporation and current board member for South County YMCA and the nonprofit, Memory Care Home Solutions. Pogue was named Business Person of the year by the Affton-Lemay Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and is a regular contributor to The St. Louis Business Journal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

Wes Burns, EVP of Community & Economic Development, leads Midwest BankCentre’s initiatives to ensure affordable capital accessibility across the St. Louis region. With over 20 years of banking experience, he specializes in tax credit financing strategies supporting non-profits, commercial ventures, and affordable housing development.  With a deep commitment to financial empowerment and economic growth, he oversees Midwest BankCentre’s consumer lending, small business banking, home mortgage and economic development lending teams.  Through these leadership efforts, Wes plays a key role in expanding access to capital for individuals, businesses, and communities throughout the St. Louis Region.

Wes holds a BSBA in Business Management from Southeast Missouri State University and an MBA from Webster University.  He also has credentials from Graduate School of Banking – Colorado. Wes serves as Director for Covenant House Missouri and serves on the finance committee.  He holds similar leadership roles with the St. Louis Equity Fund.  Under Wes’ leadership, Midwest BankCentre has been recognized with community impact awards including the “Changemaker” by the Tower Grove Community Development Corporation, the “Collaborator Award” by the Criminal Justice Ministries and “Economic Development Partner of the Year” by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Mitch Bridges serves as Chief Credit Officer at Midwest BankCentre, leveraging over three decades of banking and regulatory experience. Since joining in 2001, he has built a robust credit culture, ensuring sound risk management while supporting the bank’s strategic loan growth initiatives.

Prior to joining Midwest BankCentre, Mitch was a safety and soundness examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Missouri Division of Finance.  He is an alumna of Missouri State University and a graduate of the SMU Cox SW Graduate School of Banking.

Danielle Bateman Girondo is Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Midwest BankCentre, where she leads the bank’s marketing, branding, and customer engagement strategies. With over 20 years of experience spanning investment banking, private wealth management, casino operations, grocery retail, and community banking, the common thread throughout her career is guiding organizations through transition points, helping them scale for sustainable growth.

Danielle’s data-driven and strategic approach has been instrumental in expanding the bank’s market presence and brand strength.  Since joining MBC, she has built the marketing function from the ground up, assembling a high-performing team and implementing innovative strategies that drive both top- and bottom-line growth. She has successfully positioned the bank as a differentiated leader in a highly commoditized industry, spearheading initiatives that accelerate new customer acquisition, strengthen retention, and enhance brand equity.

She holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BSBA, magna cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis. Danielle has been recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Business by the St. Louis Business Journal, a Top 100 Marketing Executive by the Path to Purchase Institute and a Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer.

Alexis Hershey, Chief Digital Officer at Midwest BankCentre, is a visionary leader transforming banking through technology. She oversees Digital Implementation, Process Automation, Digital Client Experience, and the Call Center—positioned as the bank’s Digital Branch. Under her leadership, every loan and deposit product has been digitized, modernizing banking into seamless, tech-driven solutions.

Before joining Midwest BankCentre, Alexis led digital teams at Citibank, optimizing customer journeys and driving multi-million-dollar revenue growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she excels in scalable, data-driven strategies that enhance customer engagement and profitability. She ensures digital investments deliver measurable results—streamlining workflows, reducing inefficiencies, and fostering innovation.

Beyond her role, Alexis is committed to mentorship, offering free coaching on pay negotiations to help professionals secure stronger financial futures. She serves as Chair of the United Way Women’s Leadership Society Cabinet and sits on the boards of Marian Middle School and the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, advocating for underserved communities.

Alexis holds a B.S. and M.Ed. from the University of Houston, with post-graduate studies at the University of Illinois.

Jim joined Midwest BankCentre in 2025 and brings 25+ years of experience in leadership roles across audit, capital markets, risk management, investment management, and financial strategy. He serves as a strategic advisor and partner to the business segment executives on financial impact of business decisions and strategy to support the objectives of the organization to optimize capital, drive growth, and create shareholder value.

Prior to joining Midwest BankCentre, Jim held senior finance and leadership roles at roles at Bank of America, JP Morgan, Northern Trust, Scottrade, and Ameriprise. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Saint Louis University and received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Illinois. He has also held FINRA Series 7, 27, and 63 license qualifications.