Tell us a little about you!
I grew up in Southwest Iowa, where I graduated from Red Oak High School. I attended UNL to earn my degree in economics and finance. I’ve been in banking for over 10 years, all over Nebraska, settling down in the Bennet/Lincoln area for the last 3+ years. My wife and I have been married nearly three years and have an eight-month-old Elijah. I’ve been with First Nebraska Bank for 3.5 years, starting as an ag lender and now Chief Credit Officer.
What is your current role at First Nebraska Bank?
I was promoted to Chief Credit Officer in June of 2023, a role I have experience in at a previous bank. As Chief Credit Officer, I oversee all lending being done at our 12 locations. I provide support to our talented lenders as they work to provide solutions to our customers. A big part of my role is managing the overall risk in the loan portfolio, which often means digging in to find win-win results for both the bank and for our customers. I still get to work with a handful of larger farm and commercial customers, where I thrive off playing a small part of their success.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part of being a banker is getting to listen in (and ride along) on so many different success stories. No two businesses or farms are alike, but each one has their own unique way of surviving and prospering. I am amazed at the business ideas and ingenuity on display each and every day from our customers. Getting the opportunity to help our customers execute their visions is not something that I take for granted.
What do you think sets First Nebraska Bank apart from other financial institutions?
As an organization, we represent a broad range of experiences in nearly every industry you can think of- from our commercial lenders in Elkhorn, Bennet, and Columbus to our ag lenders in our many rural communities across the state. You won’t have a question or challenge for one of our lenders that they or one of our colleagues hasn’t already run across.
If you weren’t in this career, what could you see yourself doing?
I would still certainly be in the business field- perhaps accounting or real estate- where I would still get to learn from and experience a wide array of business owners.
What song are you most likely jamming out to on a Friday afternoon?
Windows down, Friday afternoon, on the way to play a round of golf, I’ve got anything 90’s Country turned up. Give me some Callin’ Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks. Let’s hope you don’t pull up next to me at a red light.