Our Leadership

John Handy

President and Chief Executive Officer

John is the president and chief executive officer for Commerce Trust. Prior to joining Commerce Bank in December 1999, John was the chief operating officer and a director of TIAA-CREF Trust Company, FSB, the Missouri-based trust subsidiary of the national teachers' retirement fund manager. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he was with Bank of America (formerly Boatmen's Trust Company) for 10 years, where his responsibilities included managing a group of 14 regional trust offices in seven states. John received his bachelor of arts degree in economics and business administration from Wittenberg University in 1985. In 1991, he graduated with honors from the ABA Graduate Trust School of Northwestern University, where he earned his CFSC designation. John also holds a Series 65 license.

 

Cathy Arshadi

Cathleen Arshadi

Senior Vice President, Controller

Cathy is director of financial management for Commerce Trust. She is responsible for the current and long-term financial condition of the organization, including the budget process, business plan development, forecasting, financial management, establishment of financial and sales goals, and performance metrics as well as talent management and compensation. Cathy has more than 26 years of financial and banking experience. She earned her bachelor of business administration degree from University of Missouri–St. Louis. Cathy is on the YWCA board of directors.

 

Scott Boswell

Scott Boswell, CFA®, CEBS

President, West Region

Scott is president of Commerce Trust’s West Region. He has oversight of all Commerce Trust lines of business, including private client, private banking, and institutional services. He also serves as the companywide head of the institutional services and corporate trust business lines. Scott joined Commerce Trust as managing director in Kansas City in January 2007. Having more than 20 years of investment management experience with companies like Bank of America, Aetna Capital and New York Life Asset Management, Scott has strong practical know-how in developing and offering innovative financial solutions. He holds a master of business administration degree from University of Chicago and a bachelor of arts degree from Westminster College. In addition to his CFA, he is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist. He holds or has held leadership roles on a variety of charitable and industry boards, including serving as past-trustee of Westminster College, vice president of the board and member of the Boy Scouts of America-Heart of America Council, president of the board for The Kansas City Chorale, director and chairman of the board for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and member of the board and chairman of the Marketing Committee of St. Luke’s Health System Foundation.

 

David Hagee

Chief Investment Officer

David is the chief investment officer for Commerce Trust and of Commerce Investment Advisors, Inc., the SEC-registered advisor to the Commerce Funds mutual fund complex. David has been with Commerce Bank for 23 years. During which he worked as a portfolio manager with private and institutional clients before becoming the director of portfolio management for the eastern region. David earned his Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis. Additionally, he is a member of the CFA Institute and the St. Louis Society of Financial Analysts as well as a board member and Treasurer of Aim High St Louis. He serves as the President of the Investment Committee of the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) and serves on the investment committee of Forest Park Forever and the International Institute.

 

Jeff Jacoby

Jeffrey Jacoby

President, East Region

Jeff is the president of the east region of Commerce Trust and also serves as the Saint Louis Market Executive. Jeff leads Commerce Trust’s private client business across the east region which includes eastern and southern Missouri and Illinois. He works closely with the management team and professional staff to ensure seamless and consistent delivery of our exceptional client experience. Prior to joining Commerce Trust, Jeff practiced as a tax attorney for over twenty years. He attended the University of Missouri, earning his bachelor of science degree in business administration and his master of business administration degree. Jeff also earned his juris doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law. He is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis, and the Estate Planning Council of Saint Louis.


Paul Zietlow

Paul Zietlow

Chief Operating Officer

Paul is the Chief Operating Officer for Commerce Trust. He has overall responsibility for the processes and systems that support our clients and the various business lines within the Trust. Paul works with the rest of the senior leadership team to ensure the business runs smoothly on a daily basis and also in building out capabilities and support to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Prior to joining Commerce Bank in May of 2011, Paul worked at TIAA-CREF and Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company (now BMO) where he held several leadership positions that included Director of Operations for the TIAA-CREF Trust Company and Director of Product. Paul graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh Business School with a major in Finance.