Jill Feiler
President of Denmark State Bank
Change chief. “Some people hit the ground running. Upon her arrival at Denmark State Bank in the fall of 2006, Jill Feiler hit the ground flying – and she hasn’t landed yet,” says Janet Bonkowski, board member for Denmark State Bank.
While she could have forcefully demanded change, Feiler led with great respect to the groundwork laid by her past and present colleagues. “She found a way to leverage the heart, soul and passion of the people who are the lifeblood of a community bank,” says Bonkowski.
Feiler keenly focused on initiatives that would improve the bank – such “Some people hit the ground running. Upon as setting staff goals and accountability and streamlining the business/ her arrival at Denmark State Bank in the consumer product line. Prior to Feiler fall of 2006, Jill Feiler hit the ground flying coming to Denmark State Bank, they had relied on promotional items and – and she hasn’t landed yet.” word-of-mouth to grow the organiza -Janet Bonkowski, board member, tion. The bank has since developed Denmark State Bank a marketing department focused on Changes in the banking industry rebrand awareness. Employee-recorded radio commercials have effectively crequired Denmark State Bank to adapt. Feiler showed her colleagues how to embrace and accept change. She ated a positive return on investment. initiated a performance management philosophy, created a series of employee training sessions, introduced a business development pro- All Feiler’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. In early 2010 Feiler was named gram, pushed the organization toward a sales culture and launched the president of Denmark State Bank – only the 10th person to hold the Bank’s first private banking department. position in the organization’s 100-year history. Just over four years ago, Feiler accepted the role of retail bank manager at the rural community bank. She was greeted with changes in banking practices, efficiencies, processes; falling bank stock prices taunted her. Feiler’s drive to succeed kicked in. She brought the leadership and structure needed to revive the organization.
12 | BBJ February/March 11