Coggins Receives Bruning Award

During the American Bankers Association National Agricultural Bankers Conference held in Milwaukee November 12–15, retired Wisconsin banker Dave Coggins was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Bruning Award. This annual award recognizes bankers who demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedicated service to providing credit and guidance to farmers, ranchers, and their fellow agricultural bankers. Bank Five Nine President/CEO Timothy Schneider introduced Coggins to the conference audience and presented him with the award. Schneider worked with Coggins directly for 12 years and reflected on the outstanding service Coggins provided to all customers and outlined the reliable and trustworthy character that all who know Coggins can attest to.

In his acceptance remarks, Coggins shared stories of his 47 years in ag finance, most recently having served as the executive vice president and chief banking officer with Investors Community Bank (ICB). ICB merged into Nicolet National Bank in December 2022, and Coggins continued to work at the bank through the transition until his retirement in June 2023. His career in ag finance started after graduating from UW-River Falls and taking a chance on a job in banking to start what he referred to as his adult life. Coggins grew up on a dairy farm near Ladysmith, where he learned early how hard and rewarding the world of agriculture can be. He shared stories of picking rocks out in the fields … one of the reasons he was looking for a career away from the family farm, but never straying far from the world in agriculture.

During his banking career, Coggins served on WBA’s Agricultural Bankers Section Board for six years, including service as the Chair in 2015–16. Coggins also served on the WBA Government Relations Committee during that time and through 2023 when he retired. He also joined the ABA Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee for five years and chaired that committee in 2022.

Coggins now spends his time in retirement enjoying family life with his wife of 47 years, Laura, and their three grown children and their spouses who were all in attendance for the award presentation. Coggin’s new chapter is filled with family as he spends time with his 13 grandchildren. He is also volunteering in communities around Wisconsin to teach financial literacy to local farmers.

About the Bruning Award

Since 1997, the Bruning Award, named after its first recipient, Nebraska banker Frank Bruning, recognizes bankers who demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedicated service to providing credit and guidance to farmers, ranchers, and their fellow agricultural bankers. Two Wisconsin bankers have been awarded with the prestigious Bruning Award in past years, including Sam Miller and Richard (Dick) Pamperin.

For more information about the Bruning Award, please visit ABA’s website.