Banking and Finance
Senior vice president and group managing director, BMO Commercial Bank
BMO Financial Group | Madison
Jeff Ticknor manages commercial banking for BMO Harris in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Focusing primarily on middle-market companies, Ticknor’s group makes loans to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, automotive dealers, contractors, agribusiness companies and professional service companies. Ticknor has been with BMO – previously Marshall & Ilsley – for more than 23 years. He serves on the boards of Madison Symphony Orchestra, Junior Achievement of Dane County, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Discovery World. He is also an adjunct instructor in finance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Education: Bachelor’s, Harvard University
First car: “1973 two-tone V8 Ford Maverik. I drove it six years during high school and my college summers. I recall it being a very ‘cool’ car that had a little giddy-up and was fun to drive.”
Top of your bucket list: “So many things. Travel with my wife and family. Attend a Super Bowl with the Packers winning. Golfing Pebble Beach, and Ireland/Scotland.”
Fun fact: “I ran the Boston Marathon in 1987.”
Biggest risk you’ve ever taken: “I am a banker, so by definition, we don’t take many risks. Having said that, we moved to Madison in 2000, and I became the regional head of commercial banking. The move took me from the comfort of the corporate headquarters. I commuted from the Milwaukee area to Madison for the majority of the year, our youngest son was born, we built a new house remotely, and my wife transitioned from her career as a teacher. While the year was stressful, it was a blessing for me professionally and for our family.”