Brenda brings over 50 years of experience in banking and more than 40 years in financial services. She is responsible for the production of all business banking products, including business operating lines of credit, business equipment loans, small business loans, and commercial real estate in the Omaha market. Additionally, Brenda manages commercial deposit accounts and electronic banking services. Brenda is actively involved in the community and regularly attends Westside Community Church.
Cara graduated from Iowa State University and is responsible for developing and managing commercial businesses to help meet their banking needs. She currently serves on the board of Central Iowa RMA, is Chair for the RMA Young Professional Committee and is actively involved in Teach Children to Save. Cara enjoys volunteering in the Des Moines community including coaching youth athletics and Habitat for Humanity.
Carson Farmer specializes in Commercial and Agricultural banking. He has been with Northwest Bank since graduating from the University of Iowa in 2017. Since then, he has grown his career through underwriting and risk management roles, assisting lenders with commercial relationships and interpreting the numbers behind major loan decisions.
Carson enjoys building and developing relationships with business owners as well as assisting entrepreneurs pursuing business ownership. His background in credit, risk management, and finance allows him to have valuable conversations with borrowers about their current business needs and identify new opportunities to help them reach their financial goals.
In his free time, Carson enjoys coaching soccer, playing golf, and spending time with his wife and daughters. He is active in the community through volunteering as a coach with Northwest Iowa Soccer Club and as an assistant coach for Spencer High School.
Curt is a dedicated community banker currently serving as Ag and Commercial Banker at Northwest Bank. He continues to play an integral role in the bank’s growth and community engagement. Curt also serves as a Dickinson County Soil and Water Commissioner and formerly contributed to the Dickinson County Extension Council. He was a 4-H leader for 13 years and was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002. He and his family reside on a third-generation farm outside of Superior and are active members of St. Mary’s Parish in Spirit Lake, where he is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.
With a career that spans over 25 years, Doug has wide range of banking and management experience that includes retail, business banking, agricultural and commercial lending, and treasury management. Doug is an Iowa native and was raised on a west central Iowa farm. He resides in Ames with his wife, Tina and their twin sons, Carson, and Caleb. He is a 1995 graduate of Iowa State University and a three-year football letter winner and member of the 1994 Academic All-Big 8 team. He is also a 2008 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking. Doug is active in and dedicated to the Ames and Story County community. He has served on the United Way of Story County Board of Directors, Gilbert Education Foundation board, Cyclone Gridiron Club board and was treasurer of ASSET. Many hours have also been spent coaching youth sports teams over the years. He also was an appointed commissioner for the Ames Planning and Zoning Commission. Currently, Doug is on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Story County, Ames Economic Development Commission, and Ames Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Ames Noon Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Eric Walhof, Regional President, oversees Northwest Bank locations in Sioux Center, Le Mars, Spencer, Milford, Arnolds Park, Spirit Lake, and Estherville, along with their Market Presidents. He supports the bank’s mission by delivering progressive financial services and building long-term relationships with customers and communities. With over 25 years of experience in agricultural and commercial banking, as well as team leadership, Eric brings a strong understanding of community banking and a passion for mentoring customers and employees. He is committed to developing solid loan portfolios and empowering local teams to grow and lead. Eric earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Dordt College. He previously served on the Sioux Center Health Foundation, Planning and Zoning Committee, and ATLAS of Sioux Center. He remains active in community efforts across Northwest Bank’s footprint and is a current Kiwanis member. Eric is dedicated to strengthening communities and supporting team members in their professional growth.
James Ramsey, Vice President and Commercial Lender brings over 25 years of financial services experience to the Northwest Bank team and specializes in growing and managing Commercial and Business banking relationships. James’ banking background includes Chief Credit Officer, Senior Lender and former bank examiner. James is a member of one of Des Moines’ oldest breakfast clubs, The Morning Club. He also serves in other community organizations such as Ankeny Rotary and the Ankeny Economic Development Committee.
Jason brings over 10 years of financial services experience to the Northwest Bank Team. As the Treasury Management Lead, he helps manage the sales team to achieve their goals while producing in the Omaha Market as well. Jason is an expert of our commercial deposit accounts and services that include: Remote Capture, ACH capabilities, Positive Pay, Online Account Management, Sweep Accounts and Wire Services. He is also a supporter of the community as an Ambassador and Young Professional for the Sarpy Chamber and the finance chair at St. Thomas Lutheran Church.
Check Out Jason's Podcast Episode: "Treasury Managment Basics"
Jill Thielen brings 26 years of financial services experience and expertise to Northwest Bank. Jill serves on the Board of the Faith Formation Council at St. Mary’s of Nazareth and is involved with the Johnston and West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
Jim is an accounting graduate of University of Northern Iowa and the President and CEO of Campbell, Higgins, & Mummert, P.C., a public accounting firm, for the past 25+ years. He grew up around Galva, IA which introduced him to the love of a farm and a strong work ethic. Jim expresses the importance and value of volunteering, which has led him to volunteering for multiple organizations. He has served for the YMCA, Spencer Community School Foundation, Spencer Hospital Foundation, and several church boards. In addition, he has served and continues to serve on multiple advisory committees and assisted with many projects that allow him to give back and stay connected with his community.
As a director of Northwest Bank, Jim enjoys providing his financial acumen to board discussions and decisions.
John Taets truly believes in the mission of Northwest Bank—Building Relationships and Exceeding Expectations. With over 40 years of financial services experience, John brings deep expertise in all areas of community banking. Before joining Northwest Bank, John served as an Ag Lender with Farmers State Bank in Jesup, Iowa, Farm Credit Services in Rochester, Minnesota, and as President of Wells Fargo Bank in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
John is an active community leader. He currently serves on the board and executive committee of UnityPoint Health System, where he chairs the Audit Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. He is a past president of Fort Dodge Catholic Schools, the Fort Dodge & Webster County Development Corporation, and the Trinity Regional Hospital Foundation. His past service also includes roles with the Greater Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce (Ambassador), Friendship Haven Foundation, UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge (Board Chair), and the Iowa College Foundation (Webster County Co-Chair).
Kelly brings over 18 years of commercial lending and relationship management experience to Northwest Bank. He is confident that business owners will appreciate his consultative approach to commercial banking. Allow Kelly to invest time in your business and demonstrate how his resources can benefit you. His areas of specialty include working capital lines of credit, real estate loans, and equipment facilities.
Kelly is a Small Business Association Facilitator, participates in Boots to Business, and serves as a SCORE Mentor. He is also a volunteer Hastings College Alumni Mentor and a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Nebraska Bankers Association, and the Association of Corporate Growth.
Kelly is a recent graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, WI, where he earned a certificate in Executive Leadership from the Wisconsin School of Business.
Kerry McGuire brings over 25 years of banking experience in Des Moines, specializing in both commercial and real estate lending. He holds an MBA from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Iowa State University.
Kerry is deeply rooted in the Des Moines community. He is an active member of the Des Moines Reciprocity Breakfast Club and serves on the board of the St. Thomas More Center and Dowling Soccer Club. He also contributes his time to youth development through coaching and his involvement with the Catholic Football League.
Kerry and his wife, Renee, are proud parents of five children. His professional expertise, combined with his commitment to family and community, reflects his values of leadership, service, faith, and integrity.
Kevin is very active in the community, volunteering and serving on various non-profit boards and advisory committees. He is a past chairman of the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the board of directors for the Midlands Community Foundation, CHI Health Midlands Hospital Community Board, Papillion La Vista Schools Teammates Mentor, Youth Frontiers Business Advisory Committee, Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Past Chairman’s Council, and is a former board member of the Papillion/La Vista Teammates.
Additionally, Kevin is involved with the University of Nebraska Alumni Foundation Champions Club and serves as an advisory board member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Nebraska.