Bank First Announces New Hire and Recent Promotions

Bank First is excited to announce a number of promotions as well as the addition of a new member to its Manitowoc County team.

Kelsey Beaver recently rejoined the Bank as retail banking officer at its Eighth Street office in Manitowoc. Previously, Beaver was a key member of Bank First’s loan operations team and served as a retail lender at the Bank’s Cedarburg office. In her new role, Beaver will be responsible for developing new and enhancing existing retail banking relationships in Manitowoc and the surrounding area.

Involved in the community, Beaver serves as a board member of the Manitowoc – Two Rivers YMCA, as well as a committee member for the Manitowoc Board of Realtors and the Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce. She is also actively involved in the Manitowoc County Homebuilders Association and the 100+ Women Who Care. Beaver enjoys all summertime activities as well as visiting northern Wisconsin and spending time with her dog, Birdie.

Kathryn Schmitz has been promoted to vice president – retail market manager. Schmitz joined the bank in 2016 and has almost 20 years of experience in mortgage lending. In her new role, Schmitz will oversee the retail lending function in the Bank’s Manitowoc County market, providing mentorship, driving business growth, and supporting the county’s retail bankers. She is a graduate of UW–Green Bay where she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Schmitz is actively involved with the Manitowoc County Board of Realtors, the Manitowoc County Home Builders Association, and the Manitowoc Ships Girls Basketball Association, where she currently serves as treasurer. She and her husband have one daughter, and they keep busy most weekends watching her play sports. In her spare time, Schmitz enjoys running, swimming, and camping.

Jody Heus, assistant vice president – retail banker, joined Bank First’s Plymouth team through its merger with Hometown Bank in February 2023. The bank is pleased to announce the expansion of Heus’ role, where she will serve customers and lead Bank First’s sales efforts in both the Kiel and Plymouth markets. Heus has over 33 years of experience in banking and will leverage her knowledge and expertise to enhance the customer experience and grow the bank’s retail banking presence in these two markets. Heus earned a bachelor’s degree from UW–Oshkosh.

Active in her community, Heus supports the Marytown Athletics Club and St. Mary’s Parish – Marytown. Heus and her husband have three grown children; she enjoys family time, kayaking, gardening, and watching sports.

Alyssa Schwerma has been promoted to retail banker and will be transferring to the Bank First office in Two Rivers. Schwerma has over 8 years of banking experience, including three years at Bank First where she has served as a loan processer and most recently as assistant branch manager at the Bank’s Custer Street office. In her new role, Schwerma will be responsible for developing new and enhancing existing retail banking relationships in Two Rivers and the surrounding area. In addition, she will provide leadership and support to the local team of bankers and assist with their efforts to deliver an exceptional customer experience. She earned an associate’s degree in marketing from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Schwerma is looking forward to establishing herself in the Two Rivers community and getting involved with the Manitowoc County Home Builders Association and the Manitowoc County Board of Realtors. Schwerma was born and raised in Manitowoc County and enjoys recreation league volleyball and softball, spending time with friends and family, and soaking up the summer sun.