FHLBank of Chicago Board Candidate Bios

Joe Fazio

Joe Fazio is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and is serving in his eighth year as a director. Upon reelection to a third and final term he will continue to serve as Chairman in 2025. Institutional knowledge and familiarity are crucial to being an effective director for any institution. Joe has exceptional knowledge of the FHLBC, its leadership team, the FHLB system, and the issues they, and their members, face. The FHLBC’s focus is serving its members. Joe contributes to that focus by ensuring offerings are “impactful” for all members.

Joe joined the board of Bristol Morgan Bank in October 2022, and became its Chairperson in April 2023, where he works closely with Ryan Kamphius. Prior to joining Bristol Morgan, Joe was the Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Commerce State Bank from 2005 until its sale in October 2022. Past professional experiences include key leadership positions at M&I, Metavante, and IBM.

He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Norbert College, and a master’s degree from Edgewood College.

He served as a member of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Bankers Association from 2013 to 2016. Joe served as an elected official in Cedarburg, is past President of the Cedarburg Community Foundation, chaired the 2018 Washington County United Way Campaign and has served on several other non-profit boards.

Joe is the Founder and Past President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Private Directors Association, and a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow. He is the author of the book, “This Might be a Dumb Question, but How Does Money Work?”

Bradley J. Schroeder

Bradley J. Schroeder has been an integral part of DMB Community Bank since 1999, serving as President and CEO of both the Bank and Holding Company since 2006. Under his leadership, DMB Community Bank, originally chartered in 1922 in DeForest, WI, has grown into an $830 million commercial bank. In addition to his extensive banking career, Brad spent six years as an Adjunct Faculty member at Cardinal Stritch University, where he taught graduate courses in Managerial Finance. His commitment to community service is reflected in his past roles as President of the DeForest Area Foundation and the DeForest Area Chamber of Commerce. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Company. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse and an MBA from Edgewood College.

Brad recognizes the critical role the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) plays in maintaining the viability of community banks, particularly in the face of rapidly changing liquidity needs. He is dedicated to ensuring that the FHLBC remains a robust and reliable resource for the industry.

Michael Speltz

Dr. Michael E Speltz currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Pillar Bank based in Baldwin, Wisconsin and Baldwin Bancshares since 2016.  Mr. Speltz’s banking career spans more than four decades and his primary role includes Chair of the Bank’s ALCO Committee, management of the investment and liquidity positions of the Bank, member of the Senior Leadership Team, participant in all Bank and Holding Company Board meetings, member of the IT/Operations Committee, shareholder relations, and policy development.  He has also served as a board member on several bank boards. Mr. Speltz also plays an active role in the Bank’s Audit/Compliance Committee.  He earlier served with Merchants Financial Group as Chief Financial Officer for over two decades and was an integral player in the merger/acquisition arena involving more than a dozen transactions and holding a variety of senior roles in asset liability management, risk management, operations, and finance.

Mr. Speltz’s education includes a Doctorate in Organizational Development from Saint Mary’s University of MN as well Master’s Degrees in Human Resources, Project Management and an MBA. In 2004 Mr. Speltz also earned his Master’s Degree in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.   Mr. Speltz is a 1980 graduate of Winona State University earning his Bachelor’s Degree in accounting and economics and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, WI.

Community service for Mr. Speltz includes currently serving as Board Chairman of the Catholic Foundation of Southern MN as well as Past President of the Winona State University Foundation and Exchange Club.  He has also served as a Board member of the Winona Day Care Center, Winona Count Abstract & Title, Diocese of Winona, Treasurer of the Winona Salvation Army, and Treasurer and Board Member of the Winona County Historical Society.  Mr. Speltz was the recipient of the Thomas Stark Community Service Award and also recognized as Winona State University’s Outstanding Alum.

Mr. Speltz’s primary interest in wishing to serve as a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank is based on a strong admiration for this entity as it strives to enhance community banking and providing various opportunities to allow these banks to better serve their communities and customers.  The FHLB has been a uniquely strong partner in developing a wide variety of products and services that are responsive to current economic conditions to help banks better serve customers and their markets.  Their approach has been innovative, collaborative, and extremely beneficial, which is deeply appreciated in these challenging times.