James Podewils, president and chief operating officer of Westbury Bank in West Bend, will serve as the 2011-2012 chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA).
The WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing 300 commercial banks and savings institutions, their nearly 2,300 branch offices and 28,000 employees.
Podewils earned his business degree from Marquette University. He started his career at Continental Savings Bank and took on several roles including branch manager, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. In 1997, he became the president and CEO of Continental Savings Bank, which later merged with West Bend Savings Bank to become Westbury Bank.
Also serving as officers on the WBA board are: chair-elect Daniel Riebe, president of Peoples Bank of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; vice chair Tom Pamperin, president/CEO of Premier Community Bank, Marion; and past chair Robert Just, Jr., president/CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville.
Joining the board for three-year terms are: Cynthia Erdman, president & CEO, First Bank of Tomah, Tomah; Jay McKenna, executive vice president/chief operating officer, North Shore Bank, Brookfield; and Jeffrey Whitrock, president/CEO, Pioneer Bank, Auburndale.
Those continuing their terms on the board are: Jon Bernander, president/CEO of Bank of Wisconsin Dells; Carla Breunig, president/CEO, Layton State Bank, New Berlin; Robert Cera, CEO, Baylake Bank, Sturgeon Bay; Scott Lockard, president-Madison market, U.S. Bank, N.A., Madison; Peter Prickett, president/CEO, First National Bank-Fox Valley, Neenah;
Steven Schowalter, president/CEO, Port Washington State Bank; Bradley Sturm, president and CEO, Coulee Bank, La Crosse; Terry Taylor, president, Oak Bank, Fitchburg; and Michael Welsh, president & CEO, Peoples State Bank of Bloomer.
