Meet Our Trust Team

785-267-8402
Email Kirk
Kirk Johnson
- First SVP & Director of Trust & Investment Services
- MBA & BS Kansas State University
- Certified Trust and Financial Planner (CTFA)
Kirk Johnson serves as Director of Trust & Investment Services for CoreFirst Bank & Trust. He is a native of Northeast Kansas and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration from Kansas State University. Kirk is a graduate of the College of Financial Planning and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor. He started his career in the Trust field in 1981.
Kirk is an active member of the Topeka community, and the Calvary Lutheran Church. He served as President of the Topeka Rotary Club, and on the boards of various community foundations. Kirk enjoys running as a hobby and has participated in several marathons. He and his wife eagerly spend free time with their three grandchildren!

785-267-8402
Email Roger
Roger Aeschliman
- SVP & Trust Officer
- BA, Kansas State University & MBA, Kansas University
- Certified Trust and Financial Planner (CTFA)
Roger Aeschliman grew up in the Perry-Lecompton area. He is a K-State graduate that started as an award-winning newspaper reporter in Topeka. He held a leadership position in public relations, and then served as an executive in Kansas government agencies before joining the Trust Department. He also served 32 years in the Kansas Army National Guard as an armor officer, rising to Colonel and volunteering to serve two combat tours in Iraq and Kosovo. His best-selling memoir about the Iraq War is titled “Victory Denied: Everything You Know About Iraq is Wrong.” Roger loves hard physical labor, especially cutting firewood and a cold beer afterwards. He also is a closet junk food junkie but gets up early every day to exercise it off.

785-267-8402
Email Aaron
Aaron Anderson
- SVP & Trust Officer
- Graduate of Baker University
Aaron Anderson moved to Topeka with his family in 1980 and graduated from Washburn Rural High School. Aaron attended Baker University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He started at the bank in 1991 as a teller and worked on the retail side of the bank for 14 years. He moved over to the Trust Department in 2005 and has enjoyed it immensely. He and his wife Karen have been married for over 25 years and they have three children Sydney, Adam, and Joshua.

913-248-6710
Email Bill
Bill Kanaga
- VP & Trust & Investment Officer
- BS, University of Kansas & MBA, University of Colorado
- Certified Financial Planner™, Series 7, 66 and insurance licensed
Bill Kanaga has been a part of the financial services industry for over two decades. He attended the University of Kansas and received his MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado. Bill enjoys developing strong relationships with his clients and taking care of their needs. As a CFP®, Bill gains an understanding of his client’s goals and objectives and designs a plan to achieve them. He is active and has had leadership roles with the Navy League, Leawood Chamber of Commerce and the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

785-267-8402
Email Ryan
Ryan Hellmer
- SVP & Trust & Investment Officer
- BS, Benedictine University
- JD, Washburn University School of Law
Ryan Hellmer practiced law in Topeka prior to joining CoreFirst in 2014. He received his Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law. Ryan is a graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka, past president of the Civitan Club of Topeka and served on numerous community boards including the Topeka Public Schools Foundation, the Midland Care Planned Giving Committee, and Most Pure Heart of Mary Church and school. Ryan enjoys time with his wife and four daughters and spending time in his woodworking shop.

785-267-8478
Email Krisitna
Kristina Crawford
- SVP & Trust Officer
- BA, Greenville University
- JD, Washburn University School of Law
- Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA)
Kristina Crawford practiced law with a focus in estate planning, business succession planning, and real estate transactions before joining CoreFirst in 2021. Kristina attended Greenville University and received her Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law. Kristina is an active member of the Kansas Bar Association, Topeka Bar Association, Rotary Club of South Topeka, Forge, and the Washburn Law Alumni Association. She is also a member of the Community Leadership & Development Council for the Kansas Children’s Service League. In her free time, Kristina enjoys the outdoors with her husband, daughter, and pup.

785.267.8547
Email Mike
Mike Lott
- SVP & Senior Manager of Trust & Investments
- BS Kansas State University
- Series 7, 6 and 63 securities registrations
- Life & Health licensed
Mike Lott is a Kansas native and has worked in financial services and the insurance industry for over 37 years. He joined CoreFirst Bank and Trust in 2004. Mike graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and holds his Series 7 and 63 Securities Registrations. He is also Life and Health Insurance Licensed.
Mike grew up working on his family’s farm and loves to be outdoors. He enjoys hunting, golfing and loves boating with his family and friends on area lakes. Mike's level of commitment to his family shines in his commitment to his clients. He
believes developing trusting relationships is key to the success of his client’s investment plans.

Mark Burenheide
- Senior Vice President & Trust Officer
- B.S. in Journalism and B.A. in Political Science, University of Kansas
- J.D., Washburn University School of Law
- Licensed Attorney in the state of Kansas
- Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS)
Mark Burenheide has over 20 years of Trust and Investment experience. He enjoys working with clients and helping them achieve their financial and lifelong goals. Mark attended the University of Kansas and received his Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law. Mark is a lifelong Topekan and is involved with historic preservation activities and Downtown Redevelopment efforts. He also volunteers at his church, Mater Dei Catholic Church. Mark and his wife, Sarah, have been married for over 25 years and have two daughters, Laura and Mary.

Johanna McDaniel
- Vice President & Trust Officer
- B.A. in Creative Advertising and B.A. in Public Relations with a Minor in Business, Washburn University
Johanna McDaniel is a Washburn Alumna, receiving a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in business from Washburn. She is currently in the process of attaining her Certified Trust & Fiduciary Advisor certification. Johanna has been with CoreFirst Bank & Trust for over 7 years, starting in retail banking and moving to Trust & Investment Services in 2016. Johanna volunteers for Meals on Wheels, enjoys reading, journaling and going hiking with her husband and two young sons.

Jonah Jones
- Senior Portfolio Manager
- CFA Charterholder
- BS, Nebraska Wesleyan University
- MBA, Indiana University
Jonah Jones, CFA, has been in the investment industry since 2006. He has experience with investment research and analysis, asset allocation, and client relations. Jonah is a CFA Charterholder, received his MBA from Indiana University and his Bachelors in Economics with an emphasis in Finance and Mathematics. He is a Marine Corp Veteran, having served in Iraq, and enjoys spending time with his wife and three young boys.