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 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 September 2021. See below for a complete roster.
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Ken Behm
Ken Behm graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1963. His first employment was with Federal Land Bank System making long term farm real estate loans.
In 1971, Ken and his wife purchased the controlling interest in Home State Bank of Kandiyohi. Through the formation of a bank holding company in the early 1980’s, they were able to purchase all remaining bank stockholders. The bank’s trade area was expanded through the 1995 acquisition of First State Bank of Cosmos and later opening a Loan Production Office in Litchfield in 2001 which eventually resulted in relocating the bank charter to transition to a full-service branch office. The final acquisition was a 2004 purchase of the deposits of a Bremer Bank branch in Hutchinson. During the acquisition time, Home State Bank evolved from being primarily an agricultural bank to focusing on serving small to medium sized family-owned businesses.
Ken has served on many volunteer boards, including the MBA Insurance Committee, Willmar School Board, Rice Memorial Hospital Board, Kandiyohi County HRA Board and the Willmar Area Lakes Chamber Board. He has also served in Various leadership positions at Redeemer Lutheran Church and on the Board of Regents at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Dianna Evans
Dianna Evans began her banking career on April 1, 1966 at the First National Bank of Brainerd. Over the course of her four years of service there, she held the following positions: Proof Operator, Teller, Head Teller, Vault Teller and Supply Clerk. In May 1970 she came to the First National Bank Bemidji, where she stayed until her retirement on June 30th, 2010. Dianna wore many hats during her 40 years at First National Bank Bemidji, including the roles of Proof Operator, New Accounts Clerk, Vault Teller, and Loan Payments window. In 1984, she moved to the position of Real Estate Loan Processor. She also handled all the rate changes for the adjustable loans, as well as being backup for the positions of Auditor and Payroll. In 1991, she was promoted to Real Estate Loan Officer when the Consumer and Real Estate departments were combined. In addition to her lending role, she added underwriting in 1998 and from 2002-2006, she was also the Supervisor of the Retail Lending Support staff.
After retiring in 2010, Dianna returned to First National Bank Bemidji in 2012 on a part-time basis to do underwriting, a role she continues to this day. Dianna has been in the banking industry for a total of 53 years, and we at First National Bank Bemidji have been honored to have her as our employee. She is very knowledgeable and valued in our organization.
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Reid Evenson
Reid Evenson is the President and Founder of Tradition Bancshares, Inc. which he launched in 2005. With 50 years of banking experience, Reid has significant experience in private banking, commercial loan origination, cash management systems and operations. Reid is a proud supporter of Amplify Mission Network. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and the Graduate School of Banking Colorado. Reid is happily married to Joni and has 3 children and many grandchildren.
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 Dale Stolt
Dale Stolt started at St. Clair State Bank on April 15, 1971 and has been at the bank ever since. He began as a teller and eventually became the bank president and owner. Dale continued to work the day-to-day operations until December 2013. Since that time, he maintains an office and continues to serve on the board of directors of the bank. Dale was very honored and humbled to serve the customers of St. Clair State Bank. It gave him the utmost joy and satisfaction to see the bank customers doing well. One of Dale’s often used quotes was, “The customer is first and the bank is second.” He remembers the one-page call report as well! Dale would like to thank his family, friends and all the wonderful co-workers for the past 50 years. |
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 Steve Wilcox
Steve Wilcox joined the staff of the Grand Rapids State Bank June 1, 1971. He worked his way up through the operations and loan departments becoming President in 1986. He served as the first Chairman of the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation in 1991. Steve was selected as “Banker of the Year” in 2007 by the Northwestern Financial Review. Wilcox served on the Board of Directors of the Bank Holding Company Association from 2004 to 2011 and as President of the organization in 2009 and 2010. Wilcox continues his service to the bank as Vice Chairman of the Board and a director of Wilcox Bancshares, Inc. |
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 Frederick Winston
Frederick Winston was elected to the Board of Directors of Highland Bank in August 2008.
Fred Winston graduated from Williams College in 1959. His entire business career has been in banking. After completing four years in the Navy as paymaster aboard the USS Hornet in the Pacific, Fred joined First Bank Minneapolis in 1963 where, in time, he was responsible for correspondent banking relationships and lending in Asia and the Middle East. He left the bank to start Ridgedale State Bank with a group of investors in 1978. Fred was the President and eventually the Chairman of the bank. Over 25 years, the bank grew to $100 million in assets. In 2006, management hired an investment banker and conducted a search for a buyer of Ridgedale State Bank. The owners decided to sell the bank to Highland Bank in March 2008. Fred and Eleanor Winston have four children.
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