Judi Stork named interim state bank commissioner

Kansas has a new bank commissioner, at least temporarily.

Gov. Mark Parkinson's office announced Monday that long-time deputy bank commissioner Judi Stork would serve as acting bank commissioner after Tom Thull resigned.

Thull, who had been the chief regulator of Kansas-chartered banks for the past three years, started a new job Monday as director of housing and community development for the Federal Home Loan Bank Topeka.

"It was indeed my honor and privilege to serve as state bank commissioner for the past three years," Thull said in a voice mail greeting at the Kansas bank commissioner's office. "For that I will always be grateful."

Neither Stork nor Thull could be reached for comment Monday.

The Kansas bank commissioner is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

A Parkinson spokeswoman said she did not know whether the governor would appoint a new commissioner before his term expires at the end of the year.

Thull was appointed to bank commissioner by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in 2007.

A graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, Thull spent nine years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and 22 in commercial banking, including as vice president and branch president for two banks in Newton: Midland National Bank and Central National Bank. Thull also served eight years as mayor of North Newton.

He replaced Clancy Norris, who also served a three-year term.

Thull was Kansas' 41st bank commissioner.

This will be the fourth time Stork has served as acting commissioner. Kansas law requires the deputy bank commissioner to serve as acting commissioner during vacancies in the post.

This story was originally published June 22, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Judi Stork named interim state bank commissioner."