Abarr                                        Bedford                                  Schumacher

Three American Federal Managers have been selected to attend the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC).

They are Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton Regional President Don Abarr, Greater Grand Forks Market President John Schumacher and American Federal Investments Managing Director Jason Bedford.

Schumacher also has been selected by the North Dakota Bankers Association (NDBA) to receive its 2013 GSBC/NDBA “Future Leadership Scholarship.”

Schumacher will receive a scholarship toward the program’s tuition each of the three years of the Graduate School of Banking at Boulder, Colorado.

The GSBC/NDBA scholarship is made available annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a commitment to his or her community and to the banking industry.

The American Federal Managers are enrolled to begin the GSBC three-year program in July. Students attend the classroom program in Boulder for two weeks for three consecutive summers, complete intersession assignments and projects and must maintain an academic level to continue in the program.

Wong joined American Federal in July of 2012 as an Associate at the East Grand Forks banking location.

Wong holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

He was born and raised in Grand Forks and graduated from Red River High School. He is the former Owner and Manager of Phoenix Wok and Grill in Grand Forks.

Wong and his spouse and their two children make their home in Grand Forks.

Medhus has more than 12 years of experience in banking in the Fargo-Moorhead Market.

Medhus was born and raised in Fargo and graduated from Fargo North High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Management from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

He joined the former Community First Bank (CFB) as a Business Banker in San Diego, California, and was later promoted to Branch Manager in Fargo.

He joined Ramsey National Bank and served as Branch President of the Fargo location.

Medhus is a member of Fargo Rotary and Chairman of the Board of Sharehouse Inc.

Brenden grew up in Hillsboro, North Dakota. He moved with his family to Moorhead, graduated from Moorhead High School and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Economics from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). At MSUM, he was President of the Economics Society.

Since 2001, Brenden has been working in financial services in Texas. He started his financial career as a Financial Services Representative for Smart Financial Credit Union (SFCU), Houston, and was promoted to Assistance Branch Manager and Branch Manager. His branch was named Branch of the Year in 2008 and he was selected for the CEO Leadership Program at SFCU.

In 2009, Brenden joined Comerica Bank, The Woodlands, where he was Banking Center Manager/Vice President Texas Market.

He is Past President of Business Networking International of The Woodlands.

The bank’s highest recognition of team sales performance is recognized with a large traveling trophy cup which is displayed in the bank lobby for clients to enjoy as well. The Team Builder traveling trophy was presented to Wahpeton employees at the bank’s All Employee Meeting in Fargo in February.

Members of the Wahpeton Sales Teams are Personal Banker Jeremy Remily, Ag and Business Banker Mike Matz and Associates Bonnie Amble, Abby Dockter and Amy Bernstein.

The Team Builder Program began in 2008. This is the first time American Federal in Wahpeton has earned the prestigious annual team recognition.

“This award is reflective of the great relationships the Wahpeton sales team has developed with our clients,” said Don Abarr, Regional President, Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton. “Our Bankers are able to help solve a variety of life goals and have the expertise to be sound financial advisors for our clients. We are pleased to be able to display the trophy in Wahpeton and we are looking forward to the opportunity to defend our title in 2013!”

Schumacher has 13 years of financial services experience in the Greater Grand Forks Market, including ag and commercial lending.

“John was born, raised and educated and has lived and worked in the Red River Valley his entire life. He is one of the most respected Bankers in the market,” Executive Vice President Ross Olson said. “His knowledge of banking, his understanding of the local economy and its people, and his expertise in agriculture make John an exceptional leader and a tremendous fit for American Federal where decisions are made locally.”

Schumacher began his career as a Loan Officer in Hillsboro, ND. He later transferred to Grand Forks where he has served as a Vice President of Commercial and Agricultural Lending.

Schumacher grew up on his family’s farm near Reynolds, ND. He was involved in agriculture production for six years on acres he farmed with his father.

He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota (UND). Schumacher played football as a tight end for UND. He is Past President of the UND Letterwinners Board of Directors.

Schumacher is completing a term of office as Chief Volunteer Officer on the Board of Directors for the Grand Forks YMCA and is a member of the Special Olympics of North Dakota Finance Committee.

Schumacher and his family reside in Grand Forks.

Blake has been appointed to serve a term which begins December 1, 2012. He will stand for election to a three-year term at American Federal’s Annual Stockholders Meeting in the spring of 2013.

Blake’s appointment as Director will continue his 13-year role with the bank. Blake joined American Federal in 1999 and retired as Crookston Market President in November of 2012. In addition to serving as Director, Blake will continue to be available to clients and mentor American Federal Bankers.

During his tenure at American Federal, Blake has managed the Crookston banking location and for a time also managed the Ada banking location. Blake has provided financial solutions and business advice for ag and business clients throughout northwestern Minnesota for 41 years.

Blake earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University in Fargo. Following graduation, Blake held County Supervisor positions for the USDA-FmHA in Alexandria and Hallock, Minnesota and the District Office position in Crookston. He also worked as a Senior Lender for the former Production Credit Association in Crookston and was an Agricultural Lender and a Manager of Bremer Bank’s Shelly, Minnesota branch office.

He has been recognized by American Federal for his outstanding client advice and customer service, earning invitations to American Federal’s premium recognition event, the annual “Sales Star Retreat,” and being named an “Ace Sales Star.”

Blake is a member of a number of Crookston-area community and ag organizations, including Northwest Educational Association, Airport Commission, Crookston Chamber of Commerce, United Way and Lions. Blake and his wife, Colleen, have three adult children.

Anderson has 23 years of experience in agriculture and banking. He joined American Federal as an Ag and Business Banker in the Hallock market and transferred to American Federal’s Crookston location in 2011. Anderson has also worked as an Inspector with the North Dakota State Seed Department in Grafton, ND and he owned and operated a farm near Hoople, ND.

“Bill has fully embraced the Crookston team, engaging himself in staff and customer service. He is effectively building relationships and providing financial advisory services to American Federal ag and business clients in the Crookston market,” said Blake. In addition to his role as an Ag and Business Banker, Anderson is securities licensed.

Anderson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Crookston, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agricultural Industries Sales and Management. He also attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Anderson is active on several community boards, including the “Crookston In Motion” initiative, Polk County Developmental Achievement Center and Crookston Area Community Fund.

Anderson and his spouse, Holly, who is a Marketing Specialist at Riverview Health in Crookston, coordinate Crookston’s Special Olympics Program and were named the 2012 Polk County Emerging Leaders.

Remily has 10 years of banking experience. He joined American Federal in 2005. Remily helps his clients identify opportunities with solutions to reach their life goals of home ownership, retirement and financial independence, convenience, major purchases, education, and financial security and protection. Before beginning his banking career, Remily owned and managed three grocery stores in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Remily holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, SD.

Dr. Sargeant joined the Board of Directors in 1990. He is Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Minnesota Crookston and Chairman of the Glenmore Foundation Board, Crookston.

Dr. Karlstad is a past owner and retired ophthalmologist of the North Dakota Eye Clinic and North Dakota Surgery Center in Grand Forks. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 1991.

Chief Executive Officer Steve Worwa, Fargo, North Dakota, was re-elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. Worwa joined American Federal as President, CEO and Director in 1989 and was first elected Chairman of the Board in 2002.

Other currently serving Directors are Executive Vice President Ross Olson and Pat Carey, both of Fargo. Olson joined American Federal as Chief Operating Officer in 1991. He became a Director in 1998. Carey is Vice President of Sales for the Smart Grid Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. in the United States. He was first appointed to the Board in 1995.