Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. announced that Christopher Hafner will be named Senior Vice President effective October 13, 2023, replacing Steve Guthrie who retired from the position on September 1, 2023. Mr. Hafner will also serve as the Company's principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Mr. Hafner, age 56, is joining the Company and the Bank after serving as an outside banking and business consultant to several entities since December 2022.

Mr. Hafner previously served as Chief Accounting Officer of CrossFirst Bank from February 2016 until November 2022. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Missouri Bank from June 2015 until January 2016, and as Chief Risk Officer at Missouri Bank from April 2012 until May 2015. Prior to joining Missouri Bank, he served as Chief Financial Officer at First National Bank of Kansas from August 2005 until December 2011 and, prior to that, he served as Assistant Controller at Commerce Bancshares, Inc. from June 2000 until July 2005.

He previously served in various roles in the audit practice of Forvis, LLP (formerly BKD LLP) from July 1994 until June 2000. Mr. Hafner received a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Iowa State University.