Three First National Bank of River Falls Employees Receive WBA Lifetime Service Awards

WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels recently presented three First National Bank of River Falls employees with WBA Lifetime Service Awards. Each employee was recognized for 40 years of dedicated service to the banking industry.

The honorees were: Lois Jenkins, chief financial officer, Alison Colburn, mortgage services, and Tracy Bruesewitz, loan documentation specialist.

Lois Jenkins: Lois began her career at First National Bank of River Falls in the bookkeeping department in August of 1976, and was later instrumental in forming the bank’s “computer” department, which, coincided with the launch of the Bank’s first computers. She was later promoted to the Assistant Cashier role, where she assisted with finance and accounting, serviced ACH origination with customers, and served as a leader of our bookkeeping team. From 2000 to late 2008, she served as our Assistant Vice President & Cashier. Finally, Lois was the bank’s Vice President & Controller from late 2008 until her promotion to SVP/CFO in 2016. In 2017, she became a member of the bank’s Board of Directors. Throughout her career, she was an integral part of many banking projects, including the Bank’s launch of internet banking. She has been a leader in multiple software conversions and upgrades, and has been an integral part of helping guide the bank through countless examinations and audits.

Alison Colburn: Alison joined the Bank in August 1984 as a Teller while in college. She served as a Personal Banker with Consumer Lending for 10 years before growing into her current role of Mortgage Servicer. Alison has performed each role, but especially her current role, with great dedication, attention to detail, and customer service for the past 20 years through many mortgage industry regulatory and economic changes, including multiple low rate environments.

Tracy Bruesewitz: Tracy joined the Bank in June of 1984 in our bookkeeping department. She has served in her current role of Loan Documentation Specialist, collaborating with lenders on the appropriate and compliant documentation for both commercial and consumer loans, for the past 19 years. Previously, she served as a Personal Banker providing account servicing and consumer lending for 10 years. Throughout her career, Tracy influenced most areas of the Bank as banking evolved, including Marketing, Compliance, Retail, and Lending.

“It is a privilege for me to work day-to-day alongside Lois, Alison and Tracy,” said First National Bank of River Falls President & CEO, Jeff Johnson. “They set a daily example of hard work, loyalty, and customer dedication. We are very fortunate that they have chosen to remain a huge part of the FNBRF team for so many years, and our community shares in that good fortune as well through their volunteer efforts.”