Our mission includes providing our customers the highest possible level of service and customer satisfaction through a fully developed and engaged staff that demonstrates an eagerness to serve. We are proud to announce our new CEO Don Ehrke, who will lead our bank in this positive and impactful direction.
Please join us in extending a warm congratulations to Don Ehrke, who has accepted the role of Banner Capital Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer! Get to know more about Don, his family, and his vision for Banner Capital Bank below.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up in a large family of 8 children on a farm/cattle operation in Central Nebraska, and I have been married for 40 years to my high-school sweetheart, Margi. My faith in Jesus is what is most important to me. I also love sports and music.
After I graduated from the University of Nebraska with an Ag degree, Margi and I were married, and returned to the family farm. We have been blessed with five children – Jared, Jenna, Adam, Andrea and David. Jenna is married to Brad, and to them belong our four wonderful grandkids – Josiah, Brianna, Jakob and Gabriel. I enjoy any moment I can spend with them, as well as with all our children, and extended family.
What is your professional background?
I worked with seed, feed and fertilizer companies in various areas for many years while continuing to be involved in farming with my father and brother.
In 1995, I had the opportunity to work in our hometown bank as a loan officer, and I have been involved in branch expansion/management since that time. In 2012, I became employed with Banner Capital Bank as a Lender Branch Manager.
How are you involved in your community?
Community involvement has always been very important to me and always will be. My family used to joke about setting up a meeting at home and making me chairman to get me home!
Over the years, I have enjoyed volunteering with youth baseball, basketball and football, as well as serving on numerous school, bank, community, county, care home, church, fire district, and chamber boards. I’ve also been part of many committees, and up until a few years ago, volunteered as a fireman and EMT. I have served as an Elder Board member of our church for many years, and enjoy helping to lead our Youth Group.
Since 2010, my family has performed an annual Christmas concert for the community of Alma. Margi and I, along with our children, all love to sing. We have performed in churches and various community events whenever we can get the chance. We even had the opportunity to spend time in Nashville and record a Christmas album together.
Five and a half years ago, we decided to buy the local bowling alley as it had sat empty for 10 years and was nearly unsalvageable. We wanted to restore this special place and save it for the community. After two and a half years of remodeling, we have been up and running for nearly three years now. Uptown Alley is now rented regularly for families to celebrate birthday parties, anniversaries, class reunions, graduations, and more. We have a Saturday Kids’ League, host the Jr. High and High School P.E. classes and have a healthy attendance during regular hours.
What do you foresee for Banner Capital Bank in the coming months and years?
My goal is that Banner Capital Bank will have a strong positive impact on the communities we serve and offer the best possible service and products in the industry.
Finding ways to tell our story about our humble roots and servant leadership in our communities has become a priority. Accomplishing this in person will be our continued effort, as expanding ways to connect with you, while maintaining that personal connection is important to us. We are still the same locally owned bank full of those specialists that love to help you with all of your banking needs.
I am honored to have the opportunity to be involved with a fantastic staff and very excited for what the future holds for Banner Capital Bank and our communities.