Bank Leadership

Executive Officers

Pictured left to right, front row:
Susan Black – Executive Vice President, Director of Human Resources
John Babcock – Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Back row:
Thomas Lund – Executive Vice President, Director of Commercial Lending
LeRoy Lindenfelser – Chief Financial Officer
Bill LaVigne – Chief Operating Officer

Board of Directors

Pictured left to right, front row: Catherine Babcock, John Babcock, Pauline Hoogmoed
Back row: James Barthel, Stewart Wilson, Pat Dwyer, Robert Horton

Catherine Babcock:
Ms. Babcock joined the bank as a director in October 2012, and also serves on the board of the bank’s holding company. She is the oldest of Ed and Madolyn Babcock’s six children, and resides in Altadena, California. Ms. Babcock is a graduate of the Macalester College and the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle. Ms. Babcock has worked with First Interstate Bank of Washington, Seafirst National Bank, the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Opera, the Colburn School and Camerata Pacifica.

John Babcock:
Mr. Babcock is the President, CEO and Chairman of the board of The Bank of Elk River and the bank’s holding company. He has served as Chairman since 2008 and is the fifth generation Babcock to serve as Chairman of the bank. Mr. Babcock has been with the bank since 1997 and a member of the board since 2000. He has worked as a Branch Manager and Commercial Lender before becoming President. Mr. Babcock is a graduate of Colorado College and the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. He is also the former owner/operator of Apples Associates, Inc.

Pauline Hoogmoed:

Ms. Hoogmoed joined the bank as a director October 2014. Ms. Hoogmoed grew up overseas and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Amsterdam and San Francisco, giving her a global outlook on business. She has worked for Charles Schwab, Shearson Lehman American Express, Kenner Parker Tokyo, Taste of Ireland Amsterdam, Mintahoe Hospitality Group and spent 20 years as the CEO of UBM Catersource, LLC and two years producing national wedding shows with David Tutera. Ms. Hoogmoed is now COO of Crave Catering & Events which is a part of Kaskaid Hospitality Group. She previously served on the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association board as treasurer for 3 years and on the SEARCH board as marketing chair for 3 years. Working on boards gives her the opportunity to bring her wide range of experience and expertise to the boardroom and collaborate with like-minded individuals all working towards the goal of making The Bank of Elk River a success for both its customers and its shareholders.

James Barthel:
Mr. Barthel took a position as a Bank of Elk River board member to replace his retiring father in August 2004 and is the retired President/CEO of Elk River Machine Co in Elk River. Mr. Barthel has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the U of M, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Program Manager Degree from DOD Systems Management College and Corporate Directors Academy Certification from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Mr. Barthel has served on many boards including Guardian Angels of Elk River, Durex Products Inc., Anoka Technical College Foundation, The Boys & Girls Club of Elk River, Three Rivers Community Foundation, and the advisory board for the City of Elk River Economic Development Authority.

Stewart Wilson:
Mr. Wilson has served on the bank's board of directors since 2004 and is also a director and officer for the bank's holding company. He retired in 2016 from a 41 year career in banking with The Bank of Elk River. In retirement he remains active with many diverse hobbies, particularly waterfowl hunting and ultimate fishing experiences in North, Central and South America. He enjoys traveling with a goal to visit all of the United State's National Parks. After decades of extensive community and public service geared towards improving economic opportunities and quality of life for area citizens, he remains involved with Guardian Angels of Elk River. He is a graduate of Elk River High School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hamline University in 1973. He and his wife, Debbie, reside in Elk River.

Patrick Dwyer:
Mr. Dwyer has served as a director on the board since 1985, but started with the bank in 1965 working part-time for his father, the former bank president. Mr. Dwyer retired from the bank in July 2014, but has continued on as a consultant. Mr. Dwyer had worked in almost every capacity of the bank including: Bookkeeper, Teller, Cashier, Consumer Lender, Commercial Lender, CFO/COO, President and Secretary of the Board. He is a 1971 graduate of St. Cloud State University with a BS degree in Business Administration, as well as a life-long resident of Elk River.

Robert Horton:
Mr. Horton was elected to the bank’s Board of Directors February 2003. Mr. Horton is the joint-owner of Sawtooth Lumber Company. Mr. Horton moved to Elk River in 1985 to assist with operations as a VP and Board of Director of Standard Lumber, which he later purchased with a partner and renamed River Valley Lumber. In 1989 Mr. Horton and his partner purchased the Voyageur Lumberyard in Ely, MN and is still a co-owner. Mr. Horton sold River Valley Lumber in 1999 as president of the company and created River Valley Homes that was recently sold to a local builder who still operates the company under a different name. In 1997 Mr. Horton and his partner purchased Hedstrom Lumber in Grand Marais, MN renaming it Sawtooth Lumber. In 2014 Mr. Horton and his son bought a franchise called Salons by JC started in Texas 16 years ago with operations in St. Cloud. Mr. Horton developed commercial space into 36 suites to rent to individuals primarily in the cosmetology industry.