Banks & Bankers

August 31 - September 6

9/7/2022

Bankers in the News

Dianne Hoppes, Lincoln Federal Savings Bank | Lincoln, is celebrating her 35th anniversary with the bank this month. She is a vice president of administration. (pictured)

Rochelle Reavis, Cornhusker Bank | Lincoln, recently celebrated five years with the bank. She serves on the human resources team. (pictured)

Special Congratulations:
The following sixteen Nebraska bankers recently graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC). Bankers complete three annual two-week sessions of classroom training in Boulder, Colorado, focused on Financial Management & Strategy, Innovation & Engagement, Leadership & Culture, and Lending. Congratulations on your achievement!

Travis Anderson, First State Bank | Gothenburg
Grant Badertscher, State Bank of Table Rock | Roca
Chad Gonka, First National Bank of Omaha | Columbus
Isaiah Graham, Homestead Bank | St. Paul
Jarrod Hamik, Nebraska Bank | Atkinson
Mitchell Hamik | First Bank & Trust of Fullerton | Fullerton
Brent Hogan, Security Bank & Trust | Laurel
Adam Lammers, Equitable Bank | Omaha
Lyndsay McClung, Points West Community Bank | Sydney
Jill McClure, American National Bank | Omaha
Mandy Mellott, Dundee Bank | Omaha
Carol Pelster, NebraskaLand Bank | Kearney
Jose Salinas, Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance | Omaha
Nicholas Schaffer, Cornhusker Bank | Lincoln
Elizabeth Smith, Dundee Bank | Omaha
Ashton Spieker, Midwest Bank | Norfolk

Photos, L to R: Dianne Hoppes and Rochelle Reavis

Banks in the News

FirstBank of Nebraska | Syracuse, celebrated its 20th year hosting the bank-to-school lunch for Syracuse Dunbar Avoca schools faculty, staff and administrators last month.

First National Bank of Omaha | Omaha, volunteered at Habitat for Humanity of Omaha last month. (pictured)

Washington County Bank | Blair, recently traveled to Blair Community Schools, Fort Calhoun Schools and Tekamah-Herman Community Schools with the bank's grill trailer, "Blazing Banker," to host back-to-school cookouts for the teachers and staff. (pictured)

West Gate Bank | Lincoln, recently donated $50,000 to CenterPointe to help fund the organization's renovations of Trabert Hall at 11th and South streets in Lincoln. The updated building will house a fully integrated health clinic offering mental health, substance care, primary care, and pharmacy services, as well as other supportive services. (pictured)

West Gate Bank | Omaha, volunteered at Project Houseworks' annual BRUSH UP event. The community effort coordinates volunteers to help paint homes for low-income seniors in the Omaha metropolitan area.

Washington County Bank at Tekamah-Herman Community Schools

Washington County Bank at Blair Community Schools

Washington County Bank at Fort Calhoun Schools

Above: Staff from Washington County Bank thanked local teachers and staff for their hard work and helped kick off the new school year with a cookout.

First National Bank of Omaha staff at Habitat for Humanity of Omaha

Left: First National Bank of Omaha employees from the commercial banking team volunteered with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

Right: Last month West Gate Bank presented a check to CenterPointe for their new location renovation in Lincoln.

Promotions & Appointments

Charlie Ahrenholtz, i3 Bank | Omaha, commercial lines account manager (pictured)

Lisa Boryca, First Bank & Trust of Fullerton | Fullerton, vice president

Lori Cornwell, First Bank & Trust of Fullerton | Fullerton, cashier and director - First Heritage Club

Clint Leffler, Great Plains State Bank | Columbus, vice president and branch manager

Beth Sonderup, First State Bank & Trust of Fullerton | Fullerton, assistant director - First Heritage Club

Chris Wiedenfeld, United Republic Bank | Elkhorn, president and CEO (effective spring 2023) (pictured)

Charlie Ahrenholtz

Chris Wiedenfeld

Photos, L to R: Charlie Ahrenholtz and Chris Wiedenfeld

Retirements

Stephen McCown, United Republic Bank | Elkhorn, has announced his upcoming retirement. Currently he is the President & CEO of the bank and will step down in the spring of 2023.

Stephen McCown

Photo: Steve McCown

Deaths

Brett Bridge | Kearney (age 51), passed away on Sept. 1. He had previously worked at Cornhusker Bank in Lincoln for over 10 years before changing companies and later moving with his family to Kearney.