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OCTOBER 2022
Sept. 13–14 | Wisconsin Dells
Banking Leaders Convene in Dells for Education, Networking Annual Management Conference informs and inspires Following two years of virtual or hybrid gatherings, bankers were excited to return in person for several education and networking opportunities at WBA’s 2022 Management Conference. The event was held in Wisconsin Dells at the Glacier Canyon Convention Center and offered a range of general and breakout sessions pertaining to bank management. The conference began on Tuesday, September 13 with a pre-conference golf outing at the Wild Rock Golf Club in the Dells where bankers enjoyed networking with their peers and event sponsors.
2022
WISCONSIN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
MANAGEMENT C ONFERENCE
That evening officially brought about the conference kick off with a welcome reception and dinner program. During the dinner, a 50-Year Club certificate and 20 WBA Lifetime Service Awards were presented in recognition of bankers who have served the industry for 30, 40, and 50 years (see honorees photos below). The following day, Eric Cook, chief digital strategist at WSI Digital and a former community banker, welcomed
attendees during his keynote on the evolution of digital banking. The discussion focused on the ways in which Wisconsin’s community banks have the ability to leverage current trends that continue to shape our industry. Cook emphasized ways bankers can add value to their services and ensure their banks remain relevant even as consumers’ banking preferences shift. Sarah Sladek, founder and CEO of XYZ University, LLC,
presented the second keynote of the day on managing and leading following the pandemic and Great Resignation. Sladek highlighted for bankers the opportunities for increasing innovation, shifting values, and global connectivity as a new generation of talent is ushered into the workforce. In addition to many networking opportunities, the afternoon included two rounds of breakout sessions on topics ranging from bank culture to crypto, strategic loan growth, and tax law changes — something for every member of the bank management team! Thank you to all of the event sponsors and attendees for making this year’s event a success!
WISCONSIN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
WBA Recognizes 21 Bankers for Their Service and Dedication
Kuplic
Munnik
Neville
Tornow
Van Asten
Whaley
Richardson
Diebold Sliter
Zschernitz
Bowman Schulenberg
Reichardt
Bogenschutz Schueler
Wurtz
Bjerkos Schmudlach
Roeck
Behnke
» During the evening program at the WBA Management Conference at Glacier Canyon Lodge & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, the Association recognized 20 Wisconsin banking professionals with 2022 Lifetime Service Awards in thanks for their dedication to the banking industry. Additionally, Kathryn Gessert (50 years) of Partners Bank, Stratford was inducted into WBA’s 50-Year Club. In total, the bankers honored at the Management Conference dinner program have a combined 790 years of service to the banking industry!
Gessert
Pictured are: Janet Behnke, Cleveland State Bank (42 years); Sonja Bjerkos, Citizens First Bank, Viroqua (43 years); Judith Bogenschutz, Cleveland State Bank (33 years); LuAnn Bowman, Mound City Bank, Platteville (40 years); Tammy Diebold, State Bank of Cross Plains (32 years); Paul Kuplic, Oostburg State Bank (30 years); Beth Munnik, Cleveland State Bank (37 years); William Neville, Forward Bank, Marshfield (32 years); Peter Reichardt, Citizens Community Federal National Association, Tomah (40 years); Laurie Richardson, Mound City Bank, Platteville (40 years); Cynthia Roeck, Cleveland State Bank (38 years); Steven Schmudlach, Fox Valley Savings Bank, Fond du Lac (46 years); Timothy Schueler, Cleveland State Bank (33 years); Vicki Schulenberg, State Bank of Cross Plains, Waunakee (30 years); Jacqueline R. Sliter, Bank of Prairie du Sac (40 years); Brenda Tornow, First State Bank, New London (40 years); Robert Van Asten, First State Bank, New London (30 years); Colleen Whaley, Settlers Bank, Madison (32 years); Mark Wurtz, Cleveland State Bank (39 years); and Darlene Zschernitz, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Neillsville (43 years). Kathryn Gessert, Partners Bank, Stratford (left) was inducted into the WBA 50-Year Club. The club recognizes bankers who have committed an extraordinary level of service to their banks and their communities for half a century. Congratulations, Kathryn.
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