Bell Bank Executive and Leadership Team

Michael Solberg, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Bell Bank, directs the overarching strategic vision for this independently-owned financial institution. Overseeing the entire organizational structure, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between daily banking operations and the long-term mission of providing personal loans, mortgages, and checking accounts. Solberg manages high-level interactions with the board to drive sustainable growth across the North Dakota market and beyond. By fostering a culture of service, the President & Chief Executive Officer maintains the competitive edge of the firm in a crowded financial landscape. Michael Solberg monitors market trends to adjust product offerings, ensuring the bank remains responsive to client needs. Through rigorous oversight of capital allocation and risk management, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health of the organization while expanding the reach of the brand into new regional territories.

Blake Nelson, the Chief Financial Officer & Executive VP, State Bankshares at Bell Bank, manages the financial health and fiscal reporting of the institution. Overseeing capital planning and liquidity management, the Chief Financial Officer & Executive VP, State Bankshares ensures that the bank maintains a robust balance sheet to support lending activities. Nelson directs the financial forecasting processes, providing the data necessary for strategic decision-making. By monitoring regulatory capital requirements, the Chief Financial Officer & Executive VP, State Bankshares mitigates financial risk while optimizing asset performance. Blake Nelson coordinates with the board to present accurate financial statements and performance reports. This role involves analyzing the profitability of various financial products, including mortgages and personal loans, to ensure alignment with corporate goals. Through the rigorous oversight of fiscal operations, the Chief Financial Officer & Executive VP, State Bankshares provides the stability required for the bank to continue its growth trajectory.

Joan Ament, the Chief Operating Officer at Bell Bank, optimizes internal processes to support the delivery of financial services. Managing the operational infrastructure, the Chief Operating Officer streamlines workflows for savings accounts and personal lending products. Ament coordinates with department heads to enhance efficiency across all branches, ensuring that the bank maintains high standards of service quality. By implementing scalable technology solutions, the Chief Operating Officer reduces friction in customer-facing transactions. Joan Ament evaluates operational performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, directly impacting the bottom line. This leadership role involves balancing regulatory compliance with the need for rapid service delivery. Through the oversight of daily administrative functions, the Chief Operating Officer supports the broader strategic goals of the firm. Ament drives operational excellence by refining internal protocols, which allows the bank to serve a growing client base with consistent reliability and precision.

Tony Weick, the President, Bell Bank Mortgage at Bell Bank, leads the national mortgage lending division. Overseeing the origination and servicing of home loans, the President, Bell Bank Mortgage ensures that the bank provides competitive financing options to a broad client base. Weick manages the expansion of mortgage operations, focusing on efficiency and customer experience in the housing market. By implementing advanced underwriting processes, the President, Bell Bank Mortgage reduces turnaround times for loan approvals. Tony Weick collaborates with regional teams to adapt to changing interest rate environments and housing demand. This leadership role involves maintaining high standards of compliance while driving volume in the mortgage sector. Through the strategic management of the lending pipeline, the President, Bell Bank Mortgage contributes significantly to the overall revenue and market presence of the bank. Weick ensures that the mortgage division remains a cornerstone of the bank's financial service offerings.

Rick Steckler, the President-Wahpeton at Bell Bank, directs regional banking operations within the Wahpeton area. Overseeing local branch performance, the President-Wahpeton ensures that the community receives high-quality financial services, including checking accounts and personal loans. Steckler manages local client relationships to drive deposit growth and loan activity. By engaging with the local business community, the President-Wahpeton identifies opportunities to support regional economic development. Rick Steckler coordinates with corporate leadership to implement bank-wide initiatives at the local level. This role involves maintaining a deep understanding of the local market dynamics to tailor service delivery effectively. Through the oversight of branch staff, the President-Wahpeton fosters a culture of service that aligns with the broader mission of the bank. Steckler ensures that the Wahpeton branch remains a trusted financial partner for residents and businesses, contributing to the overall success of the regional banking network.

Todd Zabel, the President (West, Fargo) at Bell Bank, manages banking operations in the western Fargo region. Overseeing the delivery of financial products to local clients, the President (West, Fargo) ensures that the branch meets the needs of the community through personalized service. Zabel directs the local sales and service teams to achieve growth targets in savings and lending. By building strong connections with local businesses, the President (West, Fargo) expands the bank's footprint in the region. Todd Zabel monitors local market conditions to adjust service strategies and maintain a competitive advantage. This leadership role involves balancing the needs of individual customers with the strategic objectives of the bank. Through the effective management of branch resources, the President (West, Fargo) supports the overall mission of providing reliable financial solutions. Zabel drives regional performance by fostering a client-centric environment that encourages long-term loyalty and trust.

Jason Pohlen, the President (Alexandria) at Bell Bank, leads the banking operations in the Alexandria market. Overseeing the local branch team, the President (Alexandria) ensures that clients receive comprehensive financial support, from checking accounts to personal loans. Pohlen manages local business development efforts to increase the bank's market share in the region. By fostering relationships with community members, the President (Alexandria) strengthens the bank's presence and reputation. Jason Pohlen coordinates with corporate departments to ensure that local operations align with the bank's overall service standards. This role involves analyzing local economic trends to identify new opportunities for growth and service expansion. Through the effective management of branch activities, the President (Alexandria) contributes to the bank's mission of providing accessible and reliable financial services. Pohlen drives regional success by maintaining a focus on customer satisfaction and community engagement.

Eric Zehr, the President, Bell Bank Equipment Finance at Bell Bank, directs the specialized equipment financing division. Overseeing the provision of capital for business equipment, the President, Bell Bank Equipment Finance ensures that commercial clients have the tools necessary for operational success. Zehr manages the development of financing programs tailored to specific industry needs. By analyzing credit risk and market demand, the President, Bell Bank Equipment Finance optimizes the lending portfolio for this specialized sector. Eric Zehr collaborates with corporate leadership to integrate equipment finance into the broader suite of banking services. This role involves building relationships with equipment vendors and commercial borrowers to drive volume. Through the strategic management of the equipment finance division, the President, Bell Bank Equipment Finance supports the bank's goal of providing diverse financial solutions. Zehr ensures that the division remains a key driver of commercial growth and revenue.

David Canton, the Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer & Director at Bell Bank, architects the revenue generation strategy for the institution. Overseeing the expansion of the loan portfolio and deposit base, the Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer & Director identifies new market opportunities to increase profitability. Canton collaborates with the executive team to align sales initiatives with the core mission of providing accessible financial products. By analyzing market data, the Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer & Director optimizes pricing models for mortgages and personal loans. David Canton drives growth by cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders and institutional partners. This role requires constant monitoring of economic indicators to adjust revenue targets accordingly. Through the management of sales teams, the Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer & Director ensures that the bank meets its financial objectives while maintaining the high service standards expected by clients.

Julie Peterson Klein, the Chief of Staff & Chief Culture Officer & Executive VP at Bell Bank, shapes the internal environment and organizational values. Overseeing talent development and employee engagement, the Chief of Staff & Chief Culture Officer & Executive VP ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the bank's commitment to community-focused service. Klein facilitates communication between the executive leadership and staff to maintain operational transparency. By designing programs that promote professional growth, the Chief of Staff & Chief Culture Officer & Executive VP strengthens the internal culture, which directly impacts customer satisfaction. Julie Peterson Klein manages strategic initiatives that reinforce the bank's reputation as an employer of choice. This leadership role involves integrating corporate values into every aspect of the business, from hiring to daily operations. Through the cultivation of a positive workplace, the Chief of Staff & Chief Culture Officer & Executive VP supports the long-term success and stability of the organization.