Recipients of Uncommon Citizen and Exceptional Young Leader Awards Announced

Clay Bastian (left) and Clark Bastian (right) have been named the Chamber's 2018 Uncommon Citizens. Clark Bastian, chairman and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank, and his brother Clay Bastian, chairman of Fidelity Financial Corporation, are the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Uncommon Citizens. The native Wichitans and third-generation bankers will be recognized at the 55^th annual Honors Night celebration on Thursday, April 26. Established in 1974, the Uncommon Citizen is the Chamber’s most prestigious individual award. It recognizes those who, by their individual efforts year after year, have made uncommon contributions to the people and institutions of Wichita and the surrounding area. Recipients are honored not only for their role in business but for their participation in cultural, civic, social and philanthropic activities. Since joining his family’s business in 1980, Clay has been a catalyst of the Bank’s success, providing key oversight in everything from product development to investment portfolio management. As chairman of Fidelity Financial Corporation, the holding company of Fidelity Bank and its subsidiaries, Clay manages Fidelity’s real estate entities, debt securities and other investments. A graduate of the University of Kansas, he is actively involved in several community organizations, including Salvation Army of Wichita, St. James Episcopal Church, Downtown Wichita and Wichita Festivals, Inc. Under Clark’s leadership as chairman and chief executive officer, Fidelity Bank has surpassed $2 billion in assets and employs more than 450 people in Kansas and Oklahoma. A graduate of Wichita State University, Clark has contributed his time and talents to a variety of civic and charitable organizations. Currently, Clark serves on the boards of the Wichita Community Foundation (chairman) and the Wichita State University Foundation. He recently completed two terms of service on the Ulrich Advisory Board for Wichita State University. The Chamber has been the beneficiary of the Bastian family’s leadership dating back to Clark and Clay’s father, Marvin, who served as the Chamber Chairman in 1976 and was honored as the 1995 Uncommon Citizen. Clark has served two terms on the Chamber board (2000-2002 and 2007-2009). Christina Long has been selected as the Chamber's 2018 Exceptional Young Leader. Christina Long, owner and principal consultant of CML Collective, is the Chamber’s 2018 Exceptional Young Leader. Established just last year, the award provides premiere recognition of extraordinary young talent who have a history of demonstrated leadership within their job and philanthropic involvement. A graduate of Wichita State University, Christina has more than 15 years of experience in the field of communication and design. Dedicated to the Wichita community, she serves as the historian for Wichita Urban Professionals; as President/Chief Executive of the Create Campaign, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping urban entrepreneurs to launch, innovate and excel; as a leader of NetWork Kansas' Wichita Urban E-Community; and a board member of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. The announcement of the remaining Honors Night recipients are forthcoming. Reservations for Honors Night may be made online. For tickets and additional information, visit wichitachamber.org/HonorsNight or call 316-268-1123.