Indiana's Ameriana Bank and Trust under new leadership

Northwestern Financial Review, Jul 1-Jul 14, 2005

Jerome Gassen has joined Ameriana Bancorp and Ameriana Bank and Trust, New Castle, Ind., as president and CEO. Gassen succeeds Harry Bailey, 62, who retired last month.

Gassen most recently was executive vice president of Old National Bancorp of Evansville, Ind., where since 2003 he was responsible for all banking operations for the institution's 130 offices. Gassen also had been president and CEO of American National Bank & Trust Co., Muncie, and had worked at Firstar Corp., in Iowa and Wisconsin.

Gassen, 55, has a bachelor's degree in English and education, and a master's degree in English from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and an MBA from Marquette University. He also completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"In Jerry Gassen, we think we've found a person with the leadership abilities needed to sustain and build on the successful environment we have created for our customers and shareholders," said Paul Prior, chairman of the $470 million institution.

Prior also commented on the bank's departing leader: "We have been extremely fortunate to have benefited from Harry Bailey's leadership for more than 20 years at Ameriana, where he has distinguished himself and helped make us one of the top banking organizations in this area." Bailey's retirement was effective at the end of May, although he plans to serve as a consultant to the company for three years to insure a smooth transition.

* First National Bank, Omaha, Neb., announced the following promotions:

Steve Bartlett to vice president. Bartlett, who began his career at the bank in 2000 as trust marketing officer, works as wealth management advisor. He has a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a Juris Doctorate from Omaha's Creighton University School of Law.

Susan Lobsiger to vice president. Lobsiger joined the bank in 1997 and among other things, directs the activities of merchant acquiring systems, authorizations, ATMs, check processing and ACH. She has a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a master's degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Renee McGuire to vice president. McGuire joined the bank in 1997 and currently heads up the enterprise delivery department, which is responsible for the intranet, internet and client-server development and support. She is a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology.

John Sutera to vice president. Sutera is a wealth management advisor; he has a Series 7, Series 63 and insurance licenses. Sutera is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

First National Bank also announced it has hired Jeff Viviano as vice president and senior credit officer. Viviano is a graduate of Central University of Iowa, Pella, and is involved with the National Association of Credit Management and the Equipment Leasing Association.

* James Hansen retired from his position as chairman, president and CEO of Centennial Bank, Omaha, Neb. Hansen will continue with the bank serving as vice chairman of the board. Hansen spent more than 40 years in banking in the state. Hansen currently serves on the board for the Nebraska Bankers Association; he also is a member of the Bankers Advisory Board of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.

* Dean Riesen has been elected to the board of Meridian Bank, N.A., Phoenix; he also was appointed chairman of its audit committee. Riesen currently is managing partner of Rimrock Capital Partners, a Phoenix-based real estate investment and development company. The $695 million Meridian Bank is part of Minneapolisbased Marquette Financial Companies, a private holding of the Carl Pohlad family.

* Delbert Smith has been promoted to president of First Minnetonka City Bank, Minnetonka, Minn. Smith has been with the bank for 20 years, most recently as its executive vice president.

* Doug Savaloja has joined Great Northern Bank, St. Michael, Minn., as vice presidentmortgage banking. Savaloja has a degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.

* Cornerstone Bank, York, Neb., announced the following promotions: Mark Deepe to vice president/technology. Derek Ferguson to assistant vice president and assistant manager for its Monroe office. Shawn Fowler to assistant vice president/technology. Joe Ha to assistant comptroller. Marc Haggadone to vice president/ correspondent banking. Eric Lantis to vice president and manager of the bank's Columbus office. Troy Lindsley to vice president and assistant manager of the bank's Stromsburg office. Matt Rathjen assistant vice president/loans at the bank's McCool Junction office. Adam Thompson to loan officer at the bank's Columbus and Rising City offices. Audrey Vaught to assistant vice president and assistant manager for the bank's Aurora and Hampton offices. Phyllis West to assistant vice president and manager of the bank's McCool Junction office.