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Scott Wakefield, President of First Minnesota Bank in Mayer and Mound, has been elected Chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota (ICBM) during the association’s annual convention August 10-12. He has the distinction of being the first son to follow in his father’s footsteps to lead the association. Wakefield’s father, Lowell, was Chairman in 1982-1983 and was on hand for the ceremony.
Wakefield’s first banking job was as an assistant cashier at First Bank of Minnesota in Hutchinson. He also worked as an Ag farm director, and On Air Talent, in Sheldon, IA. He grew up on a beef cattle operation and continues as a hobby farmer today.
In his community, he was elected to the position of Waconia Township treasurer and a commissioner on the Mayer Economic Development Authority. He is the Vice President/Treasurer of the Mayer’s Rising Community Festival and is the state Snowmobile Association’s Communications chairman and a regional director of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association. He is President of his local snowmobile club the Carver County Snowrunners and is a 27-year DNR Snowmobile Safety Training instructor.
Wakefield is a member of the ICBM Services Board, and on the Board of CBFS (Community Bank Financial Services). Nationally he serves on the Education Committee for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and travels annually to Washington, DC, for the ICBA Capital Summit.
He attended the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus and graduated with honors from Brown College.
Other officers elected were Lon Rylander, President/CEO of First State Bank of Ashby, Chairman-elect; Bernie Gaytko, President/CEO of First National Bank in Waseca, Vice-Chairman; and Al Berube, President of Farmers & Merchants State Bank of New York Mills, Treasurer. Rick Gobell, President/CEO of Drake Bank in St. Paul is the Past Chairman. Jim Amundson, President/CEO of ICBM, rounds out the executive committee.
ICBM, headquartered in Bloomington, represents more than 600 independent community bank locations with assets exceeding $35 billion and is dedicated to keeping community banks competitive for the benefit of their customers and the communities they serve. The association offers education courses, state legislative representation, member networks for compliance, technology resources, marketing, human resources, CEOs, and liquidity, plus an annual convention, a technology tradeshow, and an array of products and services tailored to the needs of independent community bankers.