Executive Letter: WBA Now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Banker of the Year
By Rose Oswald Poels
Each year, I’m awed by the work of bankers as leaders in our community. It is always an honor to celebrate their achievements and commend them on their service not only in their banks, but through their commitment to moving the banking industry in Wisconsin forward and encouraging growth and success in their own communities.
I am happy to announce that the Wisconsin Bankers Association is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Banker of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding effort in service to their bank, to their community, and to the banking profession.
To qualify, nominees must be an employee of a Wisconsin bank and a member of the WBA. Additionally, the individual should be a bank president/CEO or have held this role in the recent past. Nominations may be submitted by any person who is able to describe the banker’s civic and professional accomplishments. The award will be presented during the WBA Bank Executives Conference on February 6, 2025, in Milwaukee. The conference is the largest banking event in Wisconsin and will take place February 5–7, 2025, at the Pfister Hotel.
If you know a qualified individual, I encourage you to download a nomination form to recognize their efforts in their bank and communities. Each year we are fortunate to receive nominations for many qualified individuals. If you have nominated someone in the past who was not selected, please do not hesitate to re-submit your nomination. Please note that bankers are also encouraged to nominate themselves. The form must be submitted by December 6, 2024.
Last year’s Banker of the Year, Gerald Jacobson, president and CEO of Northwestern Bank, headquartered in Chippewa Falls, exemplifies the dedication of bankers across the state through his commitment to his bank, the industry, and various community initiatives. Jerry, a highly accomplished, yet humble individual, and the many committed bank leaders across the state who have received this recognition in the past all have remarkable and inspiring stories to share about their experiences and achievements.
The stories we hear about the notable work bankers are doing around our state motivate all of us in the industry. I look forward to learning more about the many ways the nominees are making an impact. It will be a privilege to recognize an outstanding individual at the Bank Executives Conference in February. This year’s Banker of the Year will be the 39th banker honored with this distinction.
