Forte Bank Announces Two Promotions

Forte Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of two core members of its commercial lending team, Aaron Lensink and Gary Heckendorf.

Lensink has been promoted to executive vice president – commercial lending. Previously he served as a senior vice president and business banking manager.

Lensink has more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry with a focus on commercial and business lending. He has led Forte Bank’s strategic commercial lending growth in Southeastern Wisconsin with three-year average growth in new loan origination of 39.1%. In addition, the bank’s commercial book of business has more than doubled in size in three years. He also led Forte Bank’s PPP loan program, helping 351 clients secure a total of $25.6 million in PPP funding.

In his new role, Lensink will remain an active part of Forte Bank’s commercial lending efforts while gaining more experience in overall banking operations, including liquidity, interest rate, and capital management.

“Aaron does an exceptional job of building strong customer relationships, which is the bedrock of what we are as a community bank,” said Tim Purman, president and CEO of Forte Bank. “He takes a genuine interest in his clients and ensures he understands their business. He is attentive, proactive, and offers clients solutions to enable their success. In his new role, I have no doubt Aaron will help drive Forte Bank’s strategic initiatives and growth to best serve our stakeholders.”

Lensink currently is in his second year of the esteemed Graduate School of Banking program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He received his bachelor’s degree in finance with a real estate certificate from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Lensink has taken an active role in local organizations that promote the growth of the community, including board positions with the Medical Center Foundation of Hartford, Hartford Area Development Corporation, Hartford Downtown Business Improvement District, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County.

Heckendorf has been promoted to senior vice president and business banking manager. Previously, he served as a vice president – commercial banker.

Heckendorf has more than 25 years of commercial banking experience. His individual lending portfolio increased 90% from 2020 to 2021 and he also was instrumental in helping Forte Bank clients secure PPP funding. In his new role, Heckendorf will oversee the bank’s business lending team, grow the bank’s commercial portfolio, and enhance the commercial client experience.

“Gary is passionate about building relationships, and his customers have a lot of confidence in him,” said Lensink. “They value his insight on business questions. His approach is to always assume that Forte Bank can get the job done. If there are challenges that come up, he and his clients work to find a solution that makes sense. I have complete faith that Gary will do an excellent job leading the commercial banking team.”

Heckendorf received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and is a 2008 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Heckendorf has been actively involved in the community with roles on the Greater Jackson Area Business Alliance, the Slinger Business Network, and as a fastpitch softball coach. He also served as a board member of the Downtown West Bend Association and president of the Jonathon Clark House Museum in Mequon.