Board of Directors

Chiriyapanda Uthappa was born in 1944 in Ponnampet village to Chiriyapanda Sri Kushalappa and Smt. Poovamma. He completed his primary education at Ponnampet Government Primary School, followed by his secondary education at St. Joseph’s High School in Bangalore. He then pursued his college education at Government Science and Arts College, Bangalore, laying a strong academic foundation for his future endeavors.

In 1966, he returned to Ponnampet and took over his father’s business, marking the beginning of an illustrious career in the cooperative and community sectors. His journey in the cooperative sector began in 1966 when he became a Director of Mattur Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society.

In 1967, he was appointed as a Director of Ponnampet Town Cooperative Bank Limited, and in 1973, he was elected as the bank’s President, serving for a record nine terms. His leadership extended further as a Director of Kodagu District Marketing Federation, Virajpet, for nine years, contributing to its development.

He also served as a Director of Madikeri Wholesale Cooperative Society (Janata Bazaar) and was an active member and President of Ponnampet Gram Panchayat.

Shri. Uthappa played a key role in business and community development by founding and serving as the President of Ponnampet Chamber of Commerce. He was also a dedicated member of the Ponnampet School Betterment Committee and served as the Director and President of Kaveri Education Society, which oversees Kaveri College in Gonikoppal and Virajpet.

His contributions to social welfare extended to his role as the founding Treasurer of Ponnampet Ramakrishna Residential Care Home and a member of the advisory committee of Ramakrishna Ashram and Hospital. Additionally, he served as a Trustee of Ashwini Hospital, Madikeri, and was President of Ponnampet Peace Club and Gonikoppal Reformers Club.

His leadership in various organizations also included serving as a Director of Ponnampet Coorg Sports Club and as the founding working President of Ponnampet Kodava Samaja Recreation Club. In 2000, he took on the prestigious role of President of the Nyayapitha (Justice Panel) established by Ponnampet Kodava Samaj.

He is married to Smt. Immi Uthappa, who has also made remarkable contributions to society and is currently the President of Mahila Samaja and Vice President of Kodava Samaja, Ponnampet.

They are blessed with a daughter, Dr. Poovamma, who is a highly accomplished breast cancer surgeon practicing in Bangalore.

Kolera Daya is the son of Kolera Sri. Chengappa and is currently serving as the Vice President of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet. His commitment to public service is reflected in his extensive involvement in cooperative, civic and community activities.

He served as a Director of APCMS for a decade, contributing significantly to the organization's growth and development. He has also served as a former Taluk Panchayat member, dedicating his efforts to public service and community development.

His association with local governance includes serving as the President of Grama Panchayath, Ponnampet, for two and a half years. Prior to this, he served as a member of the Grama Panchayath for seven and a half years, gaining valuable experience in local administration and public affairs.

His leadership and service have also extended to the media sector. He served as a trustee of the Press Club for five years and worked as a press reporter, contributing to the dissemination of information and awareness within the community.

He currently holds the position of President of Kannada Sahithya Parishath, where he actively contributes to the promotion of Kannada literature, language and cultural activities.

As the Vice President of the Merchant Association in Ponnampet, he plays an active role in fostering business growth, cooperation and community welfare among the local business community.

His dedication to spiritual and cultural activities is further reflected in his service as the President of Basaveshwara Temple, Ponnampet, where he contributes to the preservation and promotion of cultural and spiritual activities.

Mookalera Asha Poonacha is the daughter of Kuppanda Sri. Uthappa and Smt. Thangamma. She completed her schooling in Gonikoppal, pursued her Pre-University education at Cauvery College, Gonikoppal, and earned her B.A. degree from Maharani College, Bangalore.

Her journey in public and community service began in 1998 as Vice President of Mahila Samaj, Ponnampet, later serving as its President. She subsequently served as President and Member of Grama Panchayat, Ponnampet, Director of Kodava Samaj, and as a Taluk Panchayat Member for five years.

In 2023, she was elected as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet. She also serves as the Honorary Secretary of Kodava Pommakada Koota, Ponnampet, continuing her commitment to community development and social service.

She is blessed with two children, Chinnappa M.P., who is working with Qantas in Sydney, Australia, and Kavery, who is based in Qatar with her husband Mandaneravanda Subbaiah.

Azeez P.A. is the son of Sri. P. Assu and Smt. Nibishu. He pursued his education up to the 6th standard and has been actively involved in public and community service.

He has served as both Vice President and President of Grama Panchayat, Ponnampet, contributing to the development of the region. He is currently serving his second term as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet.

He also serves as the President of Karnataka Public School, working towards the advancement of education. His involvement in the business community includes serving as Joint Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.

He is also associated with community and religious service as the Secretary of Safi Jamma Masjid, reflecting his continued commitment to the welfare of the community.

Beeta Mookalera Laxman was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, to Pullangada Smt. Mallige and Late Chittiappa. She received her early education through Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan at various locations and graduated from Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore, where she also completed a course in Personnel Management.

A National Basketball Player, she represented at the National Meet held in Delhi in 1989. She also received an award from the Ministry of Petroleum, Government of India, in association with PCRA, and participated in programmes broadcast by Akashvani and Doordarshan.

She has been actively involved in community service and served as President of Rotary Gonikoppa. In recognition of her contribution to society, she received the prestigious Adarsh Mahila Prashasthi. She is currently serving her third consecutive term as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet.

She is married to Laxman Mookalera, a professional photographer and planter, and together they run Sumana Studio in Ponnampet. They are blessed with three children and the family is settled across India, Ireland and Canada.

Beyond her professional and community commitments, she enjoys listening to old melodies and has a keen interest in travelling and exploring new places and experiences.

Iynanda Bopanna is the son of Iynanda Sri. S. Kariappa and Smt. Janaki Neelamma. He completed his schooling at Government High School, Ponnampet, and holds a B.Com degree from Cauvery College, Gonikoppal.

A distinguished businessman and community leader, he is the proprietor of Cauvery Agencies, Ponnampet. He also serves as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank and APCMS & PS Ltd., Ponnampet, and is actively associated with the Chambers of Commerce, Ponnampet.

His involvement extends to journalism and community service. He serves as a Press Reporter for the Kodagu Press Club and as Treasurer of the Press Club, Ponnampet. He also serves as President of the Grain Bank, Chickamundoor Village, Ponnampet.

He is married to Bharathi from the Manipanda family and they are blessed with two children, I.B. Kaveriappa, M.Tech., and Dr. I.B. Cauveriamma, who serves as a Medical Officer in the Indian Air Force.

Manjula Suresh is the daughter of Rajanayaka H.J. and Shanthama H.S. She completed her schooling at Government High School, Hampapura, K.R. Nagar Taluk, followed by her PUC in Arts from Junior College, Ponnampet, and holds a B.A. degree.

She has been actively working towards financial and social empowerment and previously served as the Vice President of Grama Panchayat, Ponnampet. She currently serves as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet.

She is married to Suresh P.T., a Livestock Officer. They are blessed with two children, Smitha, who is pursuing her final year BAMS at AAMC, Tumkur, and Rohan, who is pursuing his second year MBBS at HIMS, Hassan.

Cheppuddira Ponnappa was born in 1939 in Kirgoor to Sri Madaiah and Smt. Somavva. He dedicated his life to community welfare and regional development through leadership in cooperative institutions, local governance and education.

He served twice as President of Kirgoor Gram Panchayat and Kirgoor School Committee. His contribution to the cooperative sector included serving as a Director of VSSN Nalloor and APCMS, Ponnampet, besides serving twice as President of the Town Co-operative Bank.

He was the Founder President of Kirgoor Youth Sangha and played an important role in community and cultural initiatives, including the installation of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Ponnampet. He also contributed generously to public welfare projects through land donations.

In recognition of his contributions to economic and social development, he was honoured with the prestigious Rashtriya Vikas Ratna award. He is affectionately known as "Meese Ponnu" and remains an inspiration through his life of selfless service and dedication to the community.

He is married to Dharani from the Machimanda family and they are blessed with one daughter and three sons.

Prabhu H.A. (Bellarikuttanda) is the son of Sri Aiyappa H.M. and Smt. Ponnamma. He completed his SSLC in 1980 and subsequently served in the Indian Army's Army Service Corps (ASC) for 17 years.

During his military service, he was posted in various parts of India, including Karnataka, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi, Kolkata and Nagaland. His years of service reflect his commitment to duty, discipline, resilience and patriotism.

Following his distinguished service in the armed forces, he continued to remain closely connected with his community. His dedication and values of hard work and service continue to make him a respected member of the community.

He was married to Late Smt. Manjula and they were blessed with three daughters. Neha is pursuing her first-year B.Com at JSS Women's College, Mysore; Sneha is pursuing her second-year PUC at Cauvery College, Gonikoppal; and Srilakshmi is studying in the 7th standard at Karnataka Public School, Ponnampet.

Mookalera Ramesh is the son of late Sri Belliappa and late Smt. Seethamma. He completed his schooling in Ponnampet and his Pre-University education at Government Junior College, Ponnampet. He earned his B.Com degree from Cauvery College, Gonikoppal, in 1981.

He began his professional career with Tata Coffee Ltd., Pollibetta, where he served as an Internal Auditor for 34 years before retiring in 2018. His professional career reflects his dedication and extensive experience in the field of auditing.

An agriculturist and active social worker, he has been serving as the Honorary Secretary of Halligattu Village Temple, comprising Shree Gundiyath Aiyappa, Bhadrakali and Maramma Temple. He also serves as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet, and APCM & PS Ltd., Ponnampet.

He is married to Vimala from the Meederira family and they are blessed with two children, Poovanna, a software engineer, and Poonam Subbamma, also a software engineer. Both are married and professionally established.

Shaji M.A. is the son of Sri. Achuthan P.K. and Smt. Ramavathi M. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts (B.A.) and has been actively involved in public service and local governance.

He has served as the President of Grama Panchayat, Ponnampet, and as a Member of Taluk Panchayat, Virajpet, contributing to the governance and development of the region. He currently serves as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet.

He is also actively involved in public affairs as the District Congress Secretary of Kodagu District, where he continues to work towards the welfare and development of the people.

Addanda Sunil Somaiah was born on February 18, 1973, and is the son of Addanda Sri Krishna Kariappa. He completed his schooling at St. Antony's, Ponnampet, and earned his B.Com degree from Cauvery College, Gonikoppal.

With a strong interest in social service from an early age, he began his public journey as the Youth Congress President of Ponnampet and currently serves as the Zonal Congress President of Ponnampet.

He has served two terms as a Director of V.S.S.N Bank and has also served as a Grama Panchayat member for ten years. His continued involvement in community development includes serving as a Director of Kodava Samaja, Kodava Samaja Recreation Club and the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet.

Cheppudira Uthappa is the son of Sri Subbaiah and Smt. Kaveramma. He pursued his education at Junior College, Ponnampet, and Cauvery College, Gonikoppal.

With his long-standing commitment to the cooperative sector, he has been elected for the sixth consecutive term as a Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet, reflecting his continued dedication and leadership.

He currently serves as a Director of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, contributing to the promotion and preservation of Kodava literature, language and culture. He has also previously served as a Director of Kodava Samaja.

Appachu M.P. serves as a Professional Director of the Town Co-operative Bank, Ponnampet.

In this role, he contributes his professional expertise and perspective towards effective governance, sound decision-making and the continued development of the Bank.

Machamada B. Nanjappa completed his primary education at Government Primary School, Kutta, and secondary education at Janatha High School, Hudikeri. He holds a B.Com degree from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, an M.Com degree from Manasa Gangotri, Mysore, and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).

He brings 35 years of experience in the banking sector and retired as an Assistant General Manager from Vijaya Bank. Prior to his banking career, he served as a lecturer at Cauvery College, Gonikoppa, and Government College, Tumkur, through KPSC.

He also served as a Director of Coorg Institute of Technology for six years, contributing to the institution's development and academic growth. His extensive experience in banking, education and institutional administration adds valuable professional expertise to the Bank.

He is married to Muthu Nanjappa from the Baduvanda family and they are blessed with two children, Kavya Machettira and Kishan Thimmaiah, who are professionally established in the United States.

T.P. Dharmendra was born on February 7, 1970. He completed his schooling up to the 10th standard at G.H.P., Ponnappasanthe, followed by his P.U.C. in Commerce from D. Banumaiah's College of Commerce, Mysore.

He further pursued his education and obtained a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree from KSOU, Mysore, building a strong academic foundation in commerce and finance.

He joined the Town Co-operative Bank on August 10, 1999. Through his dedicated service and experience, he took charge as Manager on January 2, 2023, and continues to contribute to the effective functioning and development of the Bank.