April 2-8

Bankers in the News

Stacey Guthard, First Interstate Bank | Callaway, was named the Citizen of the Year by the Callaway Chamber of Commerce for her decade of promoting the community and numerous volunteer hours. She is the president of the Callaway branch.

Leisa Piper, Midwest Bank | Norfolk, received the S.M.I.L.E. Award from the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce for her dedication to shine, motivate, inspire, lead and excel in both the bank and the Norfolk community.

Left: Leisa Piper (front left) received the S.M.I.L.E. Award from the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce. Her husband, Les (front right), joined for the celebration.

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Banks in the News

ACCESSbank | Omaha, and other local businesses helped sponsor the Business Ethics Alliance’s EthicSpace Conference last month at Creighton University. The event stressed the importance of cutting-edge ethics impacting business practices.

Flatwater Bank | Ansley, donated $750 to the Muddy Creek Festival Committee to help fund improvements to Square Pegs Park in Ansley.

Nebraska Bank | Bridgeport, donated $10,000 to the Morrill County Building Champions committee to help fund the replacement of several buildings at the Morrill County fairgrounds.

Washington County Bank | Blair, and other local businesses helped sponsor a dueling pianos fundraising event for a proposed art alley and pocket park in Blair. The event raised over $7,000. The project is intended to include eight murals for the back of the Blair Police Station, new landscaping, overhead lighting, a custom bike rack, signage and possibly sculptures.

Left: Employees from Nebraska Bank in Ansley presented a check to the Morrill County Building Champions committee.

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Bankers on the Move

Recent Hires:

• Timothy Johansen, United Republic Bank | Elkhorn, senior vice president, business banking manager

Promotions:

• Renae Eastman, NebraskaLand Bank | North Platte, officer, executive administrative assistant
• Lyuba Johnson, NebraskaLand Bank | North Platte, assistant vice president, senior banker
• Darla Libby, NebraskaLand Bank | North Platte, vice president, cash management supervisor
• Ashlee Strickland, NebraskaLand Bank | North Platte, officer, electronic banking specialist

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Retirements

Theodore “Ted” Marek, Heartland Bank | Geneva, retired after 44 years with the bank. He was a senior vice president. The bank held a party on April 1 to celebrate.

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Deaths

Thomas Zegers (age 71) | Papillion, passed away on March 30. His professional career included 41 years in the banking industry, serving in Omaha, Lincoln and York.