Nebraska bankers celebrate 50 years

Nine Nebraska bankers were honored for their 50-year careers in the financial services industry at the recent Nebraska Bankers Association annual convention conducted at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in LaVista, just outside of Omaha, Neb. Honorees were Don Blaha, Kenneth W. Foster, Margaret Johnson, Ronald D. Kranz, Michael J. Nelson, Leland Spanjer, Helen Svoboda, Joel H. Wiens and Thomas E. Wolf..Don Blaha began his banking career at First National Bank in Ord, Neb., on Feb. 1, 1964, and has spent his entire 50-year career at the bank. When he started at First National, the bank had one location and $2.7 million in assets; now it has more than $132 million in assets and three locations. Blaha purchased the bank in 1970, and now owns it with his son. Blaha served as NBA chairman in 1987-1988..Kennth W. Foster started his banking career in 1963 at The First National Bank of McCook, Neb., as assistant cashier and installment loan officer. He retired from the bank when it was bought by Wells Fargo in 2000 and now serves as vice president of public relations at First Central Bank, McCook..Margaret Johnson worked as a teller at City National Bank, Greeley, Neb., until becoming assistant cashier in 1969. Johnson continues to work in various capacities at the bank since it was sold to First National Bank in Ord in 2012..Ronald D. Kranz spent the summer after high school graduation working at First National Bank of York, Neb. (now Cornerstone Bank). Since then, he has held positions with First National Bank, Lincoln, Neb. (now Union Bank & Trust Co.), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and York State Bank & Trust Co., York. Since 1980, Kranz has been with First State Bank & Trust Co., Fremont, Neb., serving most recently as chairman of the board. Kranz was NBA chairman from 2007-2008..Michael J. Nelson began his banking career in 1963 on a part-time basis for Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo) in Sioux Falls, S.D. He subsequently worked for First State Bank, Kimball, Neb., and Compass Bank, Birmingham, Ala., before joining FirsTier Bank, Cheyenne, Wyo., as chairman of its Nebraska and Wyoming banks. Nelson served as NBA chairman from 2002-2003..Leland Spanjer spent his first four years of banking at Citizens Security Bank, Wallace, Neb. In 1966, he joined Cozad State Bank, Cozad, Neb. (now Homestead Bank), as bookkeeper and teller supervisor. In 1997, he was named president of the bank's holding company, C.S. B. Co., and shortly after became chairman of Homestead Bank and First National Bank of Chadron, Neb., C.S.B.'s other subsidiary..On March 1, 1964, Helen Svoboda began her career as a teller at the St. Paul National Bank, St. Paul, Neb. She remained at the bank through its merger with Homestead Bank, Cozad, Neb. She continues to work at Homestead's branch in St. Paul..Joel H. Wiens bought Bank of Kimball, Neb., in 1963 and became one of the youngest bank presidents in the state at the time. Over the years, he has developed several bank charters in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. Wiens is currently a major shareholder and director of FirsTier Bank, Cheyenne, Wyo..Thomas E. Wolf began his banking career June 1, 1959 filing checks in the vault of Platte Valley Bank, North Bend, Neb., throughout high school and college. After brief stints at First Hawaiian Bank, Honolulu, and First National Bank of Omaha, Neb., Wolf returned to Platte Valley as executive vice president and CEO in 1974. He is currently chairman of the bank, and served as NBA chairman in 2004-2005.