Northwest Financial Corp. is pleased to announce the election of Jeff Plagge to the position of Vice Chair for the American Bankers Association. Plagge's term began with his election at the ABA's annual convention in October, 2011.
Plagge's election to Vice Chair will put him in line to be Chairman of the ABA in 2013. Plagge's ascension through the leadership roles at ABA will allow him to be active in the regulatory, banking and business discussions that will occur over the next 3 years and beyond.
As with any position of this level, there will be commitments required of Plagge's time which Northwest Financial Corp. is gladly willing to accommodate. As Jeff has told us many times, "Service to the industry is my repayment for the great career I've had." Please join us in wishing Jeff the best of luck as he continues working for our industry.
August 3, 2009 - Dwight Conover, Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Financial Corp., announced today that Jeff Plagge has accepted the position of President of Northwest Financial Corp.
Northwest Financial Corp. is a $1.25 billion financial services holding company. Northwest Financial is among the largest bank holding companies based in Iowa. It conducts banking operations in 28 locations in Iowa and Nebraska.
"This addition will help us continue to build on the bank's strengths and successes", Dwight Conover said. "We are committed to continuously improving our retail and business banking customer service which has been the source of our growth - speed of delivery, value and quality." "We have a first-rate organization and are fortunate to have the right people in the right positions." Conover continued.
Mr. Plagge commented, "I'm excited to join the Northwest Financial Corp. family. Neal and Dwight Conover are truly an Iowa business and banking success story. They have built this $1.25 billion dollar community banking operation from the ground up. At a time when many banks are struggling, NFC is profitable and well capitalized. They substantially grew the company during some difficult times and are in a great position to continue to grow the organization going forward. I know there is much we can do together."
"I am very proud of the leading role we have played in our banking communities by providing first class products and service to our customers," Neal Conover said. "I could not be more excited about the future and the leadership that Jeff Plagge will provide."
Plagge comes to us from Midwest Heritage Bank as Chairman, CEO, and President. Prior to Heritage Bank, Jeff was president & CEO of First National Bank of Waverly, president of First of Waverly Corporation & CEO of First Insurance Services. He has also held bank positions in Webster City and Council Bluffs. Jeff's state and national organization memberships; include the; board chair of Delta Dental of Iowa Board of Directors; board of directors of the American Red Cross of Central Iowa and member of American Bankers Association Government Relations Council. Most recently, Jeff was a member of board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the board of trustees of Waverly Light and Power, Waverly Library Foundation, and chair of the Iowa Bankers Association.
Mr. Plagge is a graduate of Iowa State University and has a degree in Agriculture Business, and attended graduate school at School of Banking in Colorado.
Mr. Plagge and his wife Sandy, have three adult children, Tom (wife Heather), Adam, and Brian. They will be establishing a residence in the Okoboji area and look forward to getting involved in the local communities.