The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Chicago’s 2023 Member and Independent Director Election is underway! This year, Wisconsin will have an open member director seat due to the voluntary decision by John Reinke to retire from the bank’s Board of Directors at the end of his current term — December 31, 2023. The term coinciding with this open seat will commence on January 1, 2024 and end December 31, 2027. As such, the following Wisconsin bankers are running in the 2023 election for Wisconsin’s member director seat.
This year’s ballot is expected to be sent by September 18 to eligible member FHLBank Chicago institutions. Members in Wisconsin will elect one individual to fill the one member director seat as well as elect three independent directors.
The Wisconsin Bankers Association is pleased to provide this resource to share background information on the four Wisconsin bankers running for election to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Board of Directors: David Clark, Mark Larson, Bradley Schroeder, and Kenneth Thompson.
WISCONSIN CANDIDATES (1 SEAT AVAILABLE)
David Clark
President and Director, Forward Bank, Marshfield
David (Dave) Clark is the president and director at Forward Bank, a $936 million depositor-owned institution dedicated to keeping rural communities strong. During his tenure with Forward, the organization has grown from $236 million to its current size, expanding insurance presence from two communities to nine, and over doubling the size of the investment services division.
In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Clark was a driving force in moving the First Baptist Church in Medford from its previous building into a new worship center to accommodate a growing congregation. His drive and financial expertise accelerated the financing and fundraising process. Clark’s continued community involvement includes being on the board of Esadore Area Lake Association, working with various programs in the Medford School District such as Junior Achievement and coaching Little League and Youth Football. His ongoing activities center around his family and community, setting the foundation for all the Forward team — family, faith, forward.
Clark has a BS in finance from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and is a graduate of Graduate School of Banking. He has been actively sharing his knowledge and experience mentoring young leaders and lenders at Forward. Prior to working for Forward Bank, Clark was senior commercial lending officer at Mid-Wisconsin Bank in Medford and loan officer at River Valley State Bank in Wausau.
He and Rachel, an entrepreneur in Medford, have been married for 25 years and have four children. Clark enjoys spending his free time with his family, golfing, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors.
Mark Larson
President and CEO, Hustisford State Bank, Hustisford
Mark Larson is an accomplished banking professional with 34 years of experience and a passion for community engagement and financial empowerment. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Larson has risen to become the president & CEO of Hustisford State Bank and Hustisford Community Bancorp, Inc., where he leads a dedicated team in providing personalized financial solutions and fostering long-term relationships with customers.
Throughout his career, Larson has demonstrated a commitment to helping individuals and businesses thrive in their financial endeavors. He believes in the power of community banking and leverages his expertise to promote economic growth and stability within the local community.
With a keen understanding of emerging financial trends, Larson continuously seeks opportunities to enhance customer experiences and streamline banking processes. Under his leadership, Hustisford State Bank has received accolades for its strong financial performance and commitment to customer satisfaction.
In addition to his professional achievements, Larson enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and exploring new technologies. Larson’s dedication to community banking, combined with his unwavering commitment to serving others, make him a valuable asset to the banking industry and a trusted leader in his community. Larson is a 2004 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking and a Navy veteran.
Bradley Schroeder
Chairman, President, and CEO, DMB Community Bank, DeForest
Bradley (Brad) Schroeder has been with DMB Community Bank since 1999 and since 2006 has served as the president & CEO of the bank and its holding company. DMB Community Bank is a $830 million commercial bank chartered in DeForest in 1922. In addition to his various roles in banking, for six years Schroeder held an adjunct faculty position with Cardinal Stritch University, where he taught graduate courses in Managerial Finance. Schroeder previously served as the president of the DeForest Area Foundation and as the president of the DeForest Area Chamber of Commerce. Schroeder earned a BS in finance from the University of Wisconsin–LaCrosse and an MBA from Edgewood College.
The FHLBC plays a dynamic role in the viability of the community banking industry, especially given the quickly changing liquidity characteristics of our banks. Schroeder pledges to put in the time and energy to make sure that the FHLBC is healthy and available if the industry needs their support.
“Like most of the leaders in charge of voting for this position, I am described as a kind and simply genuine person. I always put the people I care about first,” says Schroeder. “I like to win, so I surround myself with others that want to be part of a winning organization. I have trouble staying focused on one thing, but that’s because I have so many things I want to do! However, I have the energy and drive to always get things done. I have no place in my life for fakes and liars. I rarely hold a grudge, but it’s almost impossible to regain my trust once you’ve lost it. If elected to the FHLBC board of directors, I will use these qualities to support the values of all shareholders.”
Kenneth Thompson
Chairman and CEO, Capitol Bank, Madison
Kenneth (Ken) Thompson has been in the Madison banking industry for over 35 years, including 10 years at M&I Bank, before helping to start and grow Capitol Bank to $550 million in assets today. He was named president/CEO in 2003 and chairman in 2018.
Thompson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW–Stevens Point and earned his MBA from UW–Madison in 1997. He is a graduate of Leadership Greater Madison and completed the Graduate School of Banking in Madison in 2004. Thompson served as past chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) and director of the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin.
Thompson currently serves on the boards of a variety of local non-profits including Agrace HospiceCare, American Family Children’s Hospital, Catholic Charities, and the Breakfast Optimist Club of Madison. He also serves on the boards for Hy Cite Enterprises and Extreme Engineering.
Thompson enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, especially outdoors. His pastimes include golf, racquetball, and hunting.
ELECTION SCHEDULE
Member and Independent Director ballots will be sent to eligible member institutions on September 18, 2023.
Voting deadline: all ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. CT October 19, 2023.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago will announce the results of the 2023 Election of Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Member and Independent Directors once the results have been confirmed.
Newly elected Directors take office January 1, 2024.
Questions? Please contact FHLBank Chicago’s Dana Gibbs at directorelections@fhlbc.com for further information on the election of directors.
