Robert B. Atwell

Bob Atwell co-founded Nicolet National Bank with Mike Daniels in 2000. Bob held the roles of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chairman at Nicolet. He successfully led Nicolet through the early stages of organic growth, laying groundwork for Nicolet’s purpose and values. Bob often spoke about Nicolet’s role as local people who deal in local solutions.

While Bob’s career has many great moments, perhaps none were greater than his leadership during the financial crisis of 2008-2010. Bob insisted that Nicolet be in front of customers, listening, and explaining that even though problems were created at the federal level, they could be solved together locally. Bob’s gift of strategic vision and unwavering belief in the bank’s purpose and values helped set Nicolet up for success for years to come.

Bob is a graduate of Beloit College and the Yale School of Management. He serves as a director of Ariens Company, Great Northern Corporation, and Relevant Radio. He also served on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. Bob’s career is defined by big ideas, collaboration, and a lifetime of service to the community.

Nicolet started with one of the largest capital raises in Wisconsin banking history and grew to become the second-largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin. Nicolet’s focus on creating shared success by effectively serving customers, employees, and shareholders created a simple, enduring platform for community bank success.

Michael E. Daniels

Mike Daniels co-founded Nicolet National Bank with Bob Atwell in 2000. Throughout his career at Nicolet, Mike held various roles, including Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Lending Officer, and Executive Vice President. He successfully spearheaded Nicolet’s growth, both organically and through acquisition, and led teams that successfully integrated ten acquisitions over eight years.

While leading these bank integrations, Mike created what is known at Nicolet as the “Friday Email,” where he explained in detail Nicolet’s purpose, core values, and the concept of shared success in a series of emails to all employees. The messages helped new employees understand what success looks like at Nicolet and to help them succeed. Nicolet published a booklet called Friday Emails with Mike for all employees. He is currently working on two additional booklets. Mike’s greatest gift to Nicolet, beyond his strategic vision, was his ability to convey complex ideas in simple terms. He rallied every level of employee around a central purpose, which was the precursor to great execution.

Mike is a graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. He serves on several community and non-profit boards and is the founding President of the Nicolet National Foundation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Green Bay Packers and the Board of Trustees at St. Norbert College. Mike is well-known in Wisconsin as a sounding board for entrepreneurs, business executives, and young professionals.

Nicolet started with one of the largest capital raises in Wisconsin banking history and grew to become the second-largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin. Nicolet’s focus on creating shared success by effectively serving customers, employees, and shareholders created a simple, enduring platform for community bank success.

Mark W. Forsythe

Mark Forsythe embarked on an impactful 40-year banking career after earning his master’s degrees in Agriculture and Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He taught at both the high school and college levels, then transitioned to Peoples State Bank as an Agricultural Loan Officer in 1982—a career move that marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to serving rural communities.

His leadership trajectory was swift, advancing to Senior Lender and Head of the Loan Department in 1989, then joining the Board of Directors in 1990. Mark rose to President and CEO in 2008 and held the role until his retirement in 2020. Peoples State Bank experienced historic market expansion that achieved record levels of growth and profitability under his smart and strategic leadership. He stays connected to the banking community in retirement by serving as the director of both Peoples State Bank and Peoples Bancorp Inc.

Mark believes in strengthening his community far beyond the walls of the bank. He remained active in professional organizations during his career, serving as Chairman of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Agricultural Bankers Section Board, contributing his leadership on the WBA Board of Directors, and acting as a strong voice for political advocacy on behalf of the banking industry.

His philanthropy extended to leadership roles on the Prairie du Chien School Board, Crawford County Dairy Promotion Committee, Driftless Development Board, UW-River Falls Foundation Board, Couleecap Board of Directors, and his church. Mark and his wife, Kati, continue to support citizen-led initiatives focused on education, agriculture, and rural development. Mark’s legacy is defined by a lifelong mission to support community banking and rural families.

Douglas S. Gordon

Douglas Gordon launched his extensive 40-year banking career in 1977 while completing his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He worked as a Credit Analyst at Cudahy Marine Bank while earning two degrees in Business and Mathematics. He quickly rose to President of Cudahy Marine Bank after graduation and secured the esteemed “Preferred Lender” designation from the U.S. Small Business Administration—one of only four banks in Wisconsin to win that status.

Doug brought his powerful leadership to his role as Executive Vice President at Security Bank and led the organization through a successful sale to Marshall & Illsley Bank, where he then served as a Senior Vice President. He retired in 1999—but his passion for community banking proved too strong to leave behind. He returned for an 18-year tenure as President and CEO at WaterStone Bank. In his final career chapter, he restored profitability, strengthened financial performance, and expanded the bank’s community impact before retiring for the final time in 2023. He remains deeply connected to WaterStone Bank and continues to serve on the Board of Directors.

Doug uplifted the banking industry in Wisconsin and beyond. His industry involvement extended to the Wisconsin Bankers Association, where he added his powerful voice on legislative advocacy, regulatory discussions, and leadership development programs that helped strengthen Wisconsin’s banking landscape. He also served on the Federal Reserve advisory councils in Chicago and Washington, D.C.—including a national leadership role—where he provided high-level insight on banking policy.

Doug supports civic initiatives, financial literacy efforts, and philanthropic nonprofits. He has served as a key advisor to Marquette University’s Commercial Banking Program since the initiative’s inception. Doug remains deeply committed to empowering the next generation of Wisconsin bankers and building a strong pipeline of industry-ready graduates.

Samuel C. Johnson

Samuel C. Johnson, a lifelong resident of Racine, was the fourth generation of his family to lead S.C. Johnson & Son, where he transformed a wax business into a multibillion-dollar global empire for consumer goods. He earned a master’s degree in Economics from Harvard Business School in 1952, then returned to Wisconsin to guide his family business through decades of exponential growth.

After recognizing the need for a different kind of bank focused on unmatched personal service and a commitment to local communities, Sam founded Heritage Bank & Trust in 1970, laying the groundwork for what would become Johnson Financial Group. His smart leadership burgeoned the establishment from a trailer with three employees into one of Wisconsin’s largest privately-owned community banks. As of 2025, Johnson Financial Group has 950 employees and has grown to over $6 billion in assets.

Sam’s commitment to banking in his home state reflected his broader philosophy of reinvesting in local people and businesses to build self-sustaining economic resilience. He was a pioneering environmentalist and dedicated philanthropist. Sam personally financed a grassroots campaign against building coal plants in Oak Creek and served as a founding member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. He supported local arts, education, and health initiatives, and together with his wife Imogene P. Johnson, founded The Prairie School in Wind Point. He also revitalized downtown Racine with sustainable architecture projects.

Through Johnson Financial Group, Sam left a legacy of service, security and sustainability that you will not find anywhere else. As a trustworthy financial partner, Johnson Financial Group is invested in the success of its individual and business customers across the state of Wisconsin.