Banker With A Beer: A Podcast Series by Northwestern Bank

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Kenzi Havlicek, Director of Visit Eau Claire

Topics discussed include:

• Kenzi's Story
• What Visit Eau Claire Does
• 2026 Events in the Chippewa Valley
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Chimay 175 Blond Ale, Belgium

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Amanda Schemenauer of Nordson EDI and Katie Rurup of Cadrex about the upcoming Chippewa Falls Manufacturing Showcase

Topics discussed include:

• What is the Chippewa Falls Manufacturing Showcase?
• Career Paths and Opportunities
• Modern Manufacturing and Technology
• Company Culture
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Paulaner Salvator Double Bock

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Kate Lyons, Marketing and Events Lead for Scheels in Eau Claire

Topics discussed include:

• History of Scheels
• What makes Scheels Different
• Creating Strong Customer Loyalty
• Upper Midwest Roots & Local Understanding
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Boulevard Brewing, Tank 6 Belgium Quad

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs with Rider Ware Law

Topics discussed include:

• What is a Lobbyist?
• How Influence Actually Happens
• Lobbyist vs Citizen Influence
• Policy Area with Real World Impact
• Lighting Round

Beverage(s) Enjoyed: The Athletic Wit's Peak & Saranac Adirondack Lager

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Scott Zielski, President and CEO of Aaniie, Inc.

Topics discussed include: • An overview of Aaniie • Growing a Business in Eau Claire • The Aaniie platform • Best Strategies for Caregiver Retention • Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Point Root Beer

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with incoming Northwestern Bank CEO, Tracey Smiskey and incoming President, Jamie Leibrandt

Topics discussed include:

• Their Journey at the Bank
• Leadership and Vision of NB
• Community Commitment
• Future Outlook
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Dr. Thomas Kemp, Department Chair UW Eau Claire Department of Economics

Topics discussed include:

• An Update on the World Economy
• The US Outlook
• Local & Regional: Chippewa Valley / Western Wisconsin
• Capitalism vs the Rising Tide of Socialism
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Hacker Pschorr Weissbier

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Aaron White, Community Development Director for the city of Eau Claire,

Topics discussed include:

• What Makes Eau Claire Desirable for Growth?
• Significant Project Updates
• Data Centers
• Can Eau Claire continue to grow its footprint?
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Oktoberfest Uber, Leinenkugels

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry Jacobson, President and CEO of Northwestern Bank joins us as he prepares for retirement after a 47-year career.

Topics discussed include:

• Jerry's Career Highlights
• Changes in banking
• Changes in the Chippewa Valley
• The impact of Technology
• Lighting Round

Beverage Enjoyed: Leinie's Honey Weise

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Banker with a Beer, Jerry talks with Dr. Michael Carney, Interim Chancellor of UWEC.

Topics discussed include:

• Dr. Carney's Career Journey
• Chancellor Search Process / Timetable
• Higher Education Trends
• How AI and Other Technologies are Transforming the Student Experience
• Keeping UWEC Connected to the Community

Beverage Enjoyed: Gunpowder IPA, the Brewing Projekt

Thank you for listening to this episode! Help support the show by leaving Banker with a Beer a 5-star rating or review on Apple or Spotify.

Banker with a Beer is brought to you by Northwestern Bank. A community bank headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Follow us on Facebook or learn more on our website northwesternbank.com. We're a community bank with all the services of a big bank in a personalized friendly size. Member FDIC.