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The Nebraska Bankers Association paid tribute to seven Nebraska bankers and three banks that have marked significant milestones in the financial services industry. The following were recognized during the association’s annual convention in La Vista on May 4 - bios for each recipient are included below: Bankers recognized for 50 years of service:
Bank recognized for 25 years of service:
Banks recognized for 125 years of service:
Milestone Bankers Randy Baucke Randy's banking career began in July of 1972 at Tecumseh Building & Loan. When a new branch opened in Aurora a year later, he became the branch manager. In 1975 he returned to the home office, receiving a promotion to vice president in 1980. Twelve years later he joined American National Bank as manager of both the Auburn and Falls City branches. Randy joined Countryside Bank in 1995 to manage a new loan production office in Tecumseh, with a concentration in mortgage lending. Just one year later, Countryside Bank opened a branch in Syracuse, where he currently serves as a mortgage loan officer.  John Kotouc As a native Nebraskan, John is a third-generation banker from a family that started in the banking industry in Humboldt in 1909. He will celebrate his 52nd year in banking this July. John began his banking career in 1971 as president of Home State Bank and Trust in Humboldt, which later became part of American National Bank. Currently John serves as the executive co-chairman/CEO of American National Bank for Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota and as a member of the NBA Board of Directors. He previously served on the NBA BAnkPAC committee. John earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and completed post-graduate studies at Westminster. He also obtained a law degree from the University of Nebraska Law School and completed the Stanford Executive Program. Other accomplishments and service include becoming a Carver Bank Advisor in 2020 and serving on the boards of the following organizations: Bellevue University, Brownell-Talbot and Brownell-Talbot Foundation Executive Committee, Omaha Community Foundation, and Westside Foundation.  Daniel Kramer Dan is the bank president with First Interstate Bank in Atkinson. He celebrated his 50th anniversary in banking this past October. From 1972-1993 he worked his way up the ladder at The First National Bank in Atkinson as a teller, assistant cashier, president and later chairman of the bank's Board of Directors. In 1993, The First National Bank became First Western Bank, N.A., where Dan added senior inter-banking committee member to his job duties. A few years later, the bank removed the "N.A." to become First Western Bank until 2002, when it was acquired by F&M Bank. IN 2003, F&M Bank was purchased by Great Western Bank, at which point Dan was promoted to market president. Last May, the bank changed its name once again to First Interstate Bank. Although the bank's name has changed multiple times over the years, Dan's commitment to his community and Nebraska's banking industry are constant. He continues his long banking career in the same location as he started 50+ years ago.  Brian McHugh Brian reached his 50th year in banking this past fall. His long banking career began under the tutelage of his father, Edwin McHugh, at Corn Growers State Bank in Murdock. He learned a variety of bank activities, from teller duties to making loans, completing call reports and filing the bank's tax return. While starting his banking career, he also served in the Nebraska Air National Guard as a Command Post and Flight Operations NCO from 1972-1978. In 1981 Brian was elected president and CEO of the bank During his career, he served on the NBA BankPAC Committee for 21 years and on the NBA Board of Directors from 2000-2003. In 2013, the Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) awarded him with the Businessman of the Year award. Semi-retired since 2020, Brian still serves as Chairman of the bank's Board of Directors. He also continues to be an active member of the Murdock Lions Club and the Murdock Volunteer Fire Department. Brian and Marjorie will celebrate 50 years of marriage later this year. They have two sons, Jeremy and Brent. Jeremy and his wife Donielle have three children; Brent and his wife Sarah have four children. Brian still enjoys going into the bank almost daily to see the friends and customers he has worked with for over 50 years.  Bill McLellan Bill is the vice president of business development and reached his 50th anniversary in banking at the beginning of May. His banking journey began at Equitable Bank, followed by First National Bank of Omaha - both in Grand Island. During First National Bank's acquisition by Norwest Bank, Bill was relocated to Omaha and worked as a correspondent lender. He moved back to Grand Island and joined Home Federal Bank, where he was instrumental in developing the bank's secondary mortgage program. He continued to find success in the banking industry and was appointed the market president at United Nebraska Bank in Grand Island. Bill maintained his position through two separate acquisitions, first by TierOne Bank and then by Great Western Bank (now First Interstate Bank). He returned to Equitable Bank in 2012 as the vice president of business development and remained there until joining Bruning Bank in 2022. He played a key role in the opening of Bruning Bank's newest branch in Grand Island.  Paul Parliament Paul entered the banking workforce 52 years ago. He began at Farmer's Home Administration in Martin, South Dakota, before moving to Production Credit Association, also in Martin. Upon moving to Winner, South Dakota, he became the president of the organization - at the robust age of 26! In 1977, Paul and his family moved to Broken Bow, where he served as the president of that branch of Production Credit Association. Paul has been with Nebraska State Bank & Trust Co. (NSB) in Broken Bow since 1985. He is the bank's longest-serving president in its history at 24 years! During his time with NSB, he led the bank through the tumultuous '80s farm crisis, helping it become the largest financial institution in Broken Bow - and Custer County - as measured by total deposits. In 2009 Paul was promoted to CEO of the bank and served in that role until his retirement in 2017. He continues to serve as a valued and respected member of the bank's board of directors. Outside of banking, Paul was on the board of directors for the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce. He also participated in community activities such as the Custer Economic Development, Broken Bow Industrial Company and the Custer County Agricultural Society.  Douglas Steffensmeier Doug has been with First Community Bank in Beemer for his entire 50-year career. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Creighton University, he joined the bank in 1973. He currently serves as the executive vice president for First Community Bank and the manager for Steffensmeier Insurance Agency. During his long career, Doug helped both the bank and the insurance agency expand from one location to four. Community involvement includes serving on the Village of Beemer's board for 39 years and the Beemer Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years. Doug also has served on the Indian Trails Country Club Board, the Franciscan Healthcare Foundation board, and the Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska (with a term as Chairman). Additionally, he is a long-time Beemer Community Club member. Doug has two children and two grandchildren. His brother, David, also received the Milestone Banker award in 2020. He credits David with their shared ability to manage through the past 50+ years. Milestone Banks NebraskaLand Bank - 25 Years In 1998, NebraskaLand Bank opened their doors in a small storefront in downtown North Platte. Today, the bank has four North Platte locations, as well as branches in Kearney and Rock Springs, Wyoming. In 25 years, the bank has grown from three employees and $3 million in initial capital to over 100 employees and more than $900 million in total assets. NebraskaLand Bank is proud of their company culture and promotes six statements that define who they are, what they believe in and what they work hard to accomplish: Service, Win, Attitude, Community-Minded, Expertise, and Support. NebraskaLand Bank has been a recipient of the "Best Banks to Work For" by American Banker for four consecutive years.  Bank of Steinauer - 125 Years The Bank of Steinauer was established in 1888 by Joseph Steinauer, one of the founding fathers of the Village of Steinauer. Since its official charter in 1898 until today, the bank has been owned and operated by a Steinauer descendant. Suzanne Borcher and Carol Schardt are fifth-generation Steinauers and great-great-granddaughters of Joseph. Carol serves as the bank's vice president. The bank also currently employs sixth-generation Steinauers.  Security First Bank - 125 Years In 1898, Security First Bank began as Stockmens National Bank, founded by nine western Nebraska ranchers in Rushville. Today, the bank employs nearly 300 individuals and operates branches in 21 communities across Nebraska and southwest South Dakota. Over the decades, the bank acquired 16 locations and two others (Rapid City, South Dakota, and Chadron) thorugh de novo expansion. The bank operated solely in Rushville until 1990, when Stockmens acquired a savings and loan in Cozad. In 1998, Security First launched the "Badlands Express," a 27-foot-long traveling bank on wheels that brought banking services to communities on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for the first time. The Express still operates today to help bridge the geographic and digital divides that may hamper Nebraskans' access to banking services. Shareholders still privately own Security First Bank, most of whom have direct ties to Nebraska. The bank's owners and leadership team credit their 125 years of success to their employees' steadfast commitment to community banking, a dedicated board of directors and the support of each community they serve. For more information about the NBA's Milestone Awards, contact:
Ron Arrigo, Executive Vice President/COO Comments are closed.
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