Pioneer Banker Club

The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) is proud to recognize bankers who have been leaders of the industry for 50 years or more. Any Minnesota banker who has attained at least 50 years of active service is eligible. The bankers pictured below were inducted into the Pioneer Club in June 2025. See below for a complete roster.

2025 Pioneer Banker Club Inductees

L.H. Geistfeld

L.H. Geistfeld (Lou) began his career with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1975, shortly after graduating from Mankato State University. In 1981, Geistfeld was offered a position at Citizens Bank Minnesota where he began as an Assistant Vice President. Over the course of his career at the bank, he has held various positions, eventually being appointed President/CEO in 1987 at the age of 34. Throughout his tenure, Citizens acquired one insurance agency, secured four bank branch acquisitions and added one bank branch start-up. In addition, he actively participated on the Citizens Bank Minnesota Board and the Minnesota Bank Association Board of Directors, as well as serving on numerous community boards and committees. In 1986, he graduated from The Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin, and was recognized with the 2013 Banker of the Year Award from Northwestern Financial Review. Upon retirement, he continues to stay informed about the banking industry through his long-standing membership in the Minnesota Financial Group, a bank peer group he co-founded in 1986, and his involvement in Bank Management Training and Management Succession Planning with GWiz Consulting. Congratulations, Lou!

Gale Hoese

Gale Hoese started his banking career in 1974 alongside his father, Clayton Hoese, at Security Bank & Trust Co. of Glencoe. He worked in multiple areas of the bank including bookkeeping and lending, later taking on the position of President and currently, CEO. Gale will always have a strong passion for agriculture, as he grew up on a farm and ran his own dairy operation for many years.
Security Bank & Trust Company started in 1935 with Gale’s Grandfather, Arthur W Hoese, along with a group of 12 shareholders contributing $25,000 to incorporate the bank. Since then, the bank has grown in excess of $1.1 billion serving 21 locations within Minnesota. Security Bank & Trust Company has a strong focus on developing personal relationships and helping businesses and communities grow. Congratulations, Gale!

Thomas J. Johnson

Tom started his career in the financial industry in 1974 at Thorp Finance in Brainerd and Benson, MN. In 1976, Tom joined American National Bank in Brainerd, MN. Tom has served as President & CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Tom is highly regarded as a leader in the Brainerd Lakes area and surrounding communities. He has served on many prestigious leadership positions for civic, economic and community organizations including President and Director of the Bank Holding Company Association of Minnesota, Commissioner for the City of Brainerd Economic Development Authority, Chairman of the Minnesota State Job Service Steering Committee, Chairman and Director of the Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce and Building Fund, Chairman of the Crow Wing County Security Commission and Chairman of Brainerd Community College Foundation.

Tom and his wife Lois enjoy their lake home in the Brainerd Lakes area and winter in Arizona. Congratulations to Tom on achieving a 50-year plus banking career and making lifelong friends and memories along the way!

Charlotte Kodada

Charlotte began her banking career in 1974 at the State Bank of Lonsdale as a proof operator and teller. In 1997, the bank was purchased by Dennis Frandsen and subsequently rebranded to Rural American Bank in 1999, and then to Frandsen Bank & Trust in 2004. Throughout her career, Charlotte has received many promotions and served as a director. She is currently Senior Vice President, Operations Officer where she oversees deposit-related operations, and with her vast knowledge and experience is an incredible resource for her peers. When asked about career highlights, Charlotte said “Operating the bank’s first computer system in the 1980s, participating in 16 mergers and three name changes, and of course, the friendships formed over 50 years!” Congratulations to Charlotte!

Douglas H. Lewis II

Douglas H. Lewis is a visionary in community banking whose career has left a lasting imprint on the Duluth region and beyond. Doug’s banking journey began in 1975, and just five years later he stepped into the role of President at Northwestern Bank of Commerce. With remarkable foresight and leadership, Doug led the strategic consolidation of three local banks to form what we now know as North Shore Bank of Commerce. His dedication to independence and community service was further cemented in 2006, when he became sole owner of parent company North Shore Financial Corporation. Today, Doug serves as Chairman of both North Shore Financial Corporation and North Shore Bank of Commerce.

Doug’s impact extends well beyond balance sheets. His commitment to philanthropy is evident in the bank’s philosophy of giving back 3–5% of its annual pre-tax profits to local nonprofits, with a strong focus on supporting basic human needs. Doug is a devoted husband, father and grandfather. An avid outdoorsman, he particularly enjoys bird hunting and time spent in nature. Congratulations, Doug!

LaVonne Nicolai

LaVonne Nicolai, along with her late husband, Dan, has run Castle Rock Bank since 1962. LaVonne became the Vice President in 1971, and the accomplishments kept coming. She was the first woman on the agriculture committee for independent bankers, the first women director of the Rural Finance Authority for the State of Minnesota, and she served on the University of Minnesota Rosemount Research Board, just to name a few.
LaVonne gives of herself daily. She gives to her employees, customers, friends and neighbors, and to countless community events and organizations. She donates her time, contagious smile and loving support. LaVonne is an amazingly selfless banker and she makes every employee at Castle Rock Bank a better banker and Castle Rock Bank a better bank. Congratulations, LaVonne!

Joseph Tapp

Joe began his banking career in 1975 at the First National Bank of St. Paul where he held various positions in the lending department. In 1981, Joe moved to Cannon Falls, MN where he grew his career in banking and eventually became President & CEO of White Rock Bank. Since that time, Joe has had the honor of leading Mainstreet Bank (St. Paul, MN), Olmstead National Bank (Rochester, MN) and the First National Bank of Milaca as their President & CEO. Since retirement, Joe continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board for the First National Bank of Milaca. During his career, Joe has also served on many boards including youth hockey boards, local economic development groups, president of local golf club boards, the ABA Membership Council and the MBA Government Relations Council. Congratulations on a successful banking career, Joe!

Marilyn J. Agre
Lloyd A. Amundson
Joan Anderson
Gary E. Bakko
Bernard Bastian
Maggie Bauer
Peter L. Bauer
Quentin Beadell
Ken Behm
Marlen E. Bents
H. H. Berg
Bruce W. Beutel
Ken Bezdicek
Gerald A. Bilski
Barbara Bjerken
John O. Bohmer
George N. Borgerding
C. T. Braff
Ken Broin
Marion Brummer
Edward H. Buerkle
Doug Bultman
Irvin Burich
Thomas "Buzz" Burich
Robert Cameron
John F. Campe
Robert P. Carlson
David J. Carr
John J. Cavanagh
Edward R. Cleasby
Keith Clements
Harold C. Cole
Marilyn J. Cox
David G. Dewitt
Robert Dickson
Bob Dittrich
D. J. Dorweiler
Dasen Dorweiler
Harlan Drube
C. R. Duroe
Richard L. Duroe
Chester N. Eggen
Marianna Eiselt
Dale J. Emmel
Robert Etter
Dianna Evans
Reid Evenson
Ewald A. Fenrick
Theresa C. Fierst
Joseph M. Finley
Clyde Fischer
Lois Fiskum
Robert F. Foley
Loren R. Fretland
James Friend
Newton Fuller
Mary Gale
Richard E. Gandrud
Z. S. Gault
L.H. Geistfeld
Steve Gilmer
Linda Goehle
Bernard Gulden
Edward Gutzmann
Larry Habstritt
Larry D. Hahn
Kathy Hallum
Faye Hamerl
Elaine Hansen
Orville M. Hanson
Robert D. Harder
James E. Hausauer
George F. Hayden
James Heig
John R. Heneman
Allen G. Highum

G. Jack Hillstrom
Gale Hoese
Jerine Hoffmann
Dale Hoganson
Russell E. Holm
John D. Hunt
Betty Hvidsten
David M. Hyduke
Karen Hymes
Ernest Iverson
Russell W. Jacobson
Dorothy Jensen
Anthony C. Johnson
Edsel F. Johnson
Gladys Johnson
Harlowe M. Johnson
Jean B. Johnson
Larry D. Johnson
Myron J. Johnson
Thomas J. Johnson
Warren Johnson
William R. Johnson
Kenneth C. Jore
Kenneth E. Just
Earl E. Keskey
Diane Kern
Gary Kirt
George J. Klasen
Gordon H. Klaudt
Larry G. Knutson
Charlotte Kodada
Richard M. Kramer
Phyllis Krause
Gunnar Kronholm
Donovan Kuehnast
Ervin F. Kurth
Maynard A. Lawrence
Douglas H. Lewis II
Micheal L. Lillehaugen
Carl V. Lind
James Lindberg
Judy Lipetsky
Duane W. Loe
Mark Loosbrock
Frances R. Luhman
Lynne Lundquist
Mark Luukonen
Dale C. Madison
Joyce E. Magner
John A. Malmberg
Bruce L. Mathwig
Charles Mausbach
Gerald W. McGee
Art Melander
Rosemary Jane Melzer
Harlan Mensink
Angeline R. Mixner
Gerald F. Mohrfeld
Mike Mulder
E. M. Neisen
Carol Nelson
Earl Nelson
Gordon L. Nelson
Lucille Nickolay
LaVonne Nicolai
Sharon Nordby
John D. O’Brien
L. R. Oberg
Bruce Olness
Dayel M. Olson
Newman E. Olson
Donn N. Olson
Shirley Olson
Ken Onken
Alvin C. Peterson
Dean Peterson

Donald N. Peterson
Roger Peterson
Alan Pettit
Jane Pickle
Larry Pietrzak
John F. Pletz
F. J. Poepl
Lowell A. Pogatchnik
Don Ransom
Douglas Rech
W. C. Ries
Lois Roberton
Marie Roberts
Robert Roehl
Evelyn C. Roelike
Elsie Rolfs
L. H. Rolfs
Grace Rubischko
A. William Sands
Richard P. Sankovitz
Arlo Sanvick
D. D. Saxen
V. G. Schaffer
Elaine Schlemmer
Ralph C. Schmidt
Michael Schneider
Jeff Schrempp
Sandra Schroeder
Roger Schultz
Donald Schumacher
George Schweiss
Margaret Shaw
Vernon Shoquist
Norman C. Skalicky
Vernon Smith
James G. Sneer
Geraldine Sons
Jan M. Stanton
Ronald Steele
S. G. Steen
Fred E. Stein
Dale Stolt
W. W. Studtmann
Joseph Tapp
Paul Tellefson
Roy Terwilliger
John E. Thinesen
Dennis Troff
Edward C. Turn
Wendale P. Vander Broek
Betty Van Watermulen
Richard B. Ventrucci
Wilfred Vogel
Roger J. Voit
Paul Vollan
Harry Wahlquist
Roger Weise
Donald Welander
Joe Welle
Clair C. Wilcox
Steve Wilcox
Robert Wiley
William Wilkening
August A. Williams
Frederick Winston
John Wisniewski
Carol J. Wurm
William H. Zabel