Execs Graduate from MBA Leadership Development Academy

St. Cloud, Minnesota – On Aug. 27, Stearns Bank senior executives Heather Plumski, Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, and Josh Hofer, Chief Risk & Information Security Officer, graduated from the Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) Leadership Development Academy. This year-long program, which graduated 23 bankers in 2020, provides in-depth skill-building for bankers preparing for critical leadership roles in their banks.

“The MBA Leadership Development Academy requires a significant commitment to professional and personal growth” said Joe Witt, MBA President/CEO. “It is intensive and challenging. Graduates of this program should be very proud of this accomplishment and their determination to grow as individuals and bank leaders.”

“The MBA Leadership Development Academy is designed to challenge high-performance leaders to build upon their already strong leadership skills for maximum impact, professionally and personally,” Stearns Bank N.A. President and CEO Kelly Skalicky said. “Heather and Josh went above and beyond, diving into this challenge wholeheartedly with their trademark commitment and determination. We are deeply proud of their tenacity and ambitious hard work in excelling in this program. We are grateful to the MBA for developing such a rigorous and intense leadership program to challenge and prepare our leaders for success in this rapidly changing banking environment. At Stearns Bank, N.A., we are confident our bank, our employee owners and our customers will be even stronger because of it.” 

About Minnesota Bankers Association

The Minnesota Bankers Association is the state’s largest trade association devoted exclusively to the representation of commercial banks. The MBA was founded in 1889 and represents 95 percent of Minnesota’s banks. The MBA is proud to support our member banks as they work to ensure vibrant communities throughout the state. For more information, please visit our website at minnbankers.com.   

About Stearns Bank

Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association is a $2.2 billion, independently-owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide, in every U.S. state. Recognized as one of the nation’s top-performing banks by both American Banker and Independent Banker magazines, Stearns Bank specializes in small business lending and equipment financing. Driven by a passion to help others achieve their greatest ambitions,

Media Contact

Anthony Thomas
Anthony.thomas@creativepr.com
Phone: 612-270-9683

Rory Bidinger
Roryb@stearnsbank.com
Phone: 320-258-4863