Gate City Bank Names New President & CEO, Executive Chair

A five-year succession plan was created to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Gate City Bank’s culture and philanthropy, developed and nurtured with Swiontek’s innovative vision, has transformed the bank into the region’s leading financial institution.

“I’ve spent 42 years with Gate City Bank because I could see how we were really making a difference for our customers, communities and team members,” Swiontek said. “It’s a vision that drives our team to uniquely serve ongoing and changing needs. That’s why it was so important to me and to the board that we hire our next president & CEO from within the organization. We knew it had to be someone who has lived and breathed Gate City Bank’s mission of creating a better way of life.”

The transition will begin July 1, 2019, when Gate City Bank Chief Operating Officer Kevin Hanson will become the bank’s new president & CEO. With the change, Swiontek will become Gate City Bank’s Executive Chair until his retirement on June 30, 2020, at which time he will remain as board chair.

Kevin Hanson began his career with Gate City Bank more than 36 years ago. Like Swiontek, he began as a management trainee and also served in positions such as loan officer and director of lending. A native of Fergus Falls, MN, Hanson graduated from Moorhead State University in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He serves as board chair for Metro Area Transit and is also a board member of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency.

“The bank’s mission and culture is centered on positively impacting our customers, communities and team members,” Hanson said. “I look forward to continuing and deepening that commitment for years to come.”

As executive chair, Swiontek will continue to provide his decades of experience and leadership by overseeing the bank’s strategic investments in philanthropic giving, as well as inspiring passion for the bank’s mission.

“I have deep faith and confidence in Kevin’s ability to lead our team members in fulfilling our mission of serving others across our communities, all while further enhancing and enriching the bank’s unique culture,” Swiontek said. “The bank’s mission, philanthropic giving, excellent workplace culture and commitment to providing good-paying jobs and team member benefits will remain vibrant under his leadership.”