Meet our Executive Leadership team! They’re dedicated to shaping the future of Gate City Bank through excellence and innovation, all while creating a better way of life for customers, communities and team members.
This tenacious group of executive leaders works tirelessly to ensure we’re providing the best products and services for our customers, supporting communities through philanthropic giving and investing in team members with excellent compensation, competitive benefits and exciting growth opportunities. Let’s make our introductions.
Kevin J. Hanson has spent his entire career at Gate City Bank, serving as President & CEO since 2019, which is also when he joined the board of directors. Throughout his more than 40 years with the bank, Kevin has championed its core purpose, which is to create a better way of life for customers, communities and team members. This has led to the bank being the region’s leading financial institution and the #1 mortgage lender in North Dakota.
Whether it’s delivering robust products and services, nurturing an amazing workplace culture or building off the more than 100 years of history that rests upon team members’ shoulders, Kevin believes Gate City Bank has a monumental role to play in the future. This is especially true when it comes to promoting technology that simplifies finances. He’s played a key role in continuing the bank’s legacy of servant leadership, community giving, innovation, empowerment and fun.
Kevin has served on a number of local boards and committees, such as those for North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, American Bankers Association, Metro Area Transit and the Chamber of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan (who he met in the third grade), and their two grown children, Jordan and Ben. He also enjoys volunteering alongside his fellow team members for local nonprofits such as West Fargo Eats, Giving Hearts Day, YWCA, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.
Amy Durbin serves as EVP, Chief Marketing Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from West Fargo, ND, she brings more than 25 years of experience. Amy earned her accounting degree from Northwest Technical College in Moorhead, MN.
Outside of work, Amy has volunteered with and sat on boards and committees for a number of organizations. They include West Fargo Eats, Great Plains Food Bank, Emergency Food Pantry, YWCA Cass Clay, Great North Pole, Hope Blooms and North Dakota State University College of Business Management and Marketing.
In her free time, Amy loves being with her husband, Seth, their daughters, Ally and Hannah, and their dog, Wrigley. She also enjoys attending concerts, Ranger riding, snowmobiling, golfing and enjoying the beach and pontoon at the lake.
To Amy, being a team member means going above and beyond every day to create a better way of life for customers, communities and fellow team members. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, her favorite is Customer Obsession because “it places people at the forefront. If we take care of customers, communities and team members, and we’re obsessed with serving others, we will fulfill the bank’s mission.”
Chris Lee serves as EVP, Chief Financial Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from Lisbon, ND, he brings more than 20 years of experience. Chris earned his accounting degree from North Dakota State University.
Outside of work, Chris has volunteered with and sat on boards and committees for a number of community organizations, a couple of which include Soul Solutions Recovery Center and United Way of Cass Clay. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, hunting and being with family and friends.
To Chris, being a team member at Gate City Bank means having a strong commitment to the bank’s core purpose, which is to create a better way of life for customers, communities and team members. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, his favorite is Customer Obsession because “we exist to exceed customer expectations. The customer has many choices in the financial industry, and it’s imperative that we provide the best experience to earn their business every day.”
Eric Malchodi serves as EVP, Chief Risk Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from Wallingford, CT, he brings more than 30 years of experience. Eric earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Connecticut School of Business and his Juris Doctor degree from University of Connecticut School of Law.
Outside of work, Eric has served as board chair for Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fly fishing, cooking and exploring national parks, as well as being with his wife, kids and friends.
To Eric, being a team member at Gate City Bank means being part of a group that genuinely cares about the welfare and success of customers, communities and team members. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, his favorite is Customer Obsession because “our core purpose is to serve our customers and the communities in which they live.”
Jessica Ebeling serves as EVP, Chief Digital & Payment Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from Fargo, ND, she brings more than 20 years of experience. Jessica earned her degrees in marketing and management from University of North Dakota.
Outside of work, Jessica has served on multiple committees, boards and volunteer teams, including for the City of Fargo, YWCA Cass Clay, FM Area Foundation, Sanford Health Foundation, 4-6-3 Foundation, Dakota Medical Foundation and Olivet Lutheran Church.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys being an entrepreneur. For more than 10 years, she and her mom have co-owned and operated Motif, a custom jewelry business in Fargo.
To Jessica, being a team member at Gate City Bank means being part of a work family that shares a common purpose and cares about one another. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, her favorite is Be a Leader because “we each lead from our own perspective and in our own style.”
Kim Settel serves as EVP, Chief Retail Banking Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from Sabin, MN, she brings more than 30 years of experience. Kim earned her bachelor’s in mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Outside of work, Kim has been involved with North Dakota Bankers Association and Junior Achievement. In her free time, she enjoys flower gardening, watching mystery shows and spending time with her husband and their dog.
To Kim, being a team member at Gate City Bank means being one team with one goal – to create a better way of life for customers, communities and fellow team members. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, her favorite is Be a Leader because “leadership is not exclusive to a role or a title. Everyone has a passion for something, and through this principle they are empowered to lead, knowing they have the support of the Gate City Bank family.”
Ryan Goellner serves as EVP, Chief Information Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from Dickinson, ND, he brings more than 20 years of experience. Ryan earned his associate’s degree in applied science from what is now Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
Outside of work, Ryan has been involved with TechND and the Workforce Advisory Committee for Dakota Digital Academy. He has also served on the board of directors for A Place for Hope, which is a recovery and wellness center that also serves as a food shelf. In his free time, Ryan enjoys golfing, visiting the lake and being with his family.
To Ryan, being a team member at Gate City Bank means working with a “we” mentality to bring an extraordinary experience to customers, communities and team members. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, his favorite is Make a Difference because “giving back is a way for my fellow team members and me to get to know our community and residents.”
Heather Rye serves as EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at Gate City Bank. Originally from Edgeley, ND, she brings more than 20 years of experience. Heather earned her bachelor’s in business administration from University of North Dakota and her master’s in business administration from University of Mary.
Outside of work, Heather serves on the board of directors for Creative Care for Reaching Independence (CCRI). In her free time, she enjoys being at the lake with her husband, Shawn, and their two children, Nolan and Nora.
To Heather, being a team member at Gate City Bank means embracing an extraordinary purpose: to create a better way of life for customers, communities and one another. Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, her favorite is Customer Obsession because “we not only have a heart to serve external customers, but also our internal ones – our fellow team members. By going above and beyond to exceed expectations, we demonstrate our commitment to excellence and foster a unique culture that truly benefits them and their families.”
Meet our board of directors who help support Gate City Bank’s strategic goals and commitment to delivering best-in-class service to our customers.
At Gate City Bank, our customers, communities and team members inspire everything that we are – they’re our people. Learn more about them through heartwarming stories and testimonials!
At Gate City Bank, we have a wonderful story to tell. It's aligned with our core purpose, focusing on investing in our customers, communities and team members. Learn more about us!
At Gate City Bank, giving back to the communities where we live and work is at the core of who we are. Learn about all the innovative ways we’re making a difference throughout North Dakota and central Minnesota.
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