Let us introduce you …

Have you met the banking executives who lead Larimer and Weld County-based banks?

Harry Devereaux
President of Home State Bank
Education: University of Colorado School of Business, finance, 1974
Essential business philosophy: Do good and be happy.
Like best about your job: Meeting new people and helping people succeed.
Most respected competitor and why: Other community banks, because nobody has a clue the regulatory burdens stacked against us.
First choice for a new career: Inventory guy at hardware or sporting goods store.

Fred J. Bauer
President of Farmers Bank
Education: Aims Community College, 1977; University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking, 1981
Essential business philosophy: My basic business philosophy is the same as my personal philosophy: “Treat people as you would like to be treated.” Simple, but covers most everything.
Like best about your job: When all people in my sphere of influence are successful, including family, friends, employees and customers.
Yardstick of success: Succeeding in the above statement measures my success.
Most respected competitor and why: Community bankers in general, because I know the difficulties of trying to compete with the “too big to fail” banks and the onerous government regulations.
First choice for a new career: Professional grandpa; doing the things with family that we enjoy more.

Byron W. Bateman
Chairman of the board, president and CEO of Cache Bank and Trust
Education: Texas Tech University, BBA in finance, 1976; Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, Southern Methodist University, 1980
Essential business philosophy: Do the right thing every time.
Like best about your job: Know a little bit about everything and a lot about nothing.
Yardstick of success: $200 million under management with 45 fantastic employees I work with.
Most respected competitor and why: Oppenheimer and Co., because they do a good job of sticking to their niche.
First choice for a new career: Teaching.

C. Gerard Nalezny
Chairman and CEO of Verus Bank of Commerce
Education: Carleton College, B.A. in economics, 1985
Essential business philosophy: Verus is Latin for right, and indicative of the goal of doing the right thing, doing right by our clients, employees, shareholders and community.
Like best about your job: The opportunity to make a difference.

Dan Allen
President of First FarmBank
Education: University of Nebraska, BBA, 1978
Essential business philosophy: Do it right.
Like best about your job: The people.
Yardstick of success: Loyal staff and customers.
Most respected competitor and why: We respect all competitors.

Tom Chinnock
CEO of Advantage Bank
Education: Chadron State College, B.A. in business and agriculture, 1979
Essential business philosophy: Treat coworkers and customers in the same manner you wish to be treated.
Like best about your job: Having a small part in helping our local communities thrive.
Yardstick of success: Customer retention and customer expansion.
Most respected competitor and why: All community banks in our region.
First choice for a new career: Agriculture or recreation related.

Shawn Osthoff
President of Bank of Colorado
Education: University of Northern Colorado, B.S. in finance, 1990; Colorado State University, MBA, 1991
Essential business philosophy: Always work hard and “do the right thing” in business and in life and good things will happen.
Like best about your job: Seeing the success of our customers and of those that I work with daily.
Yardstick of success: As a bank, we are only as successful as our customers and the communities we serve, so that is where we look first to measure our success.
Most respected competitor and why: Firstbank, because they consistently demonstrate strong growth and earnings and have a loyal customer base.
First choice for a new career: Farming.

Donna J. Petrocco
President and CEO of Valley Bank & Trust
Education: Ottawa University, B.A. in human services, 1982; Graduate School of Banking at University of Colorado
Essential business philosophy: It’s all about giving back to our communities, supporting education and helping our customers in every way possible.
Like best about your job: Absolutely the people I work with and serve.
Yardstick of success: When someone gives me a referral.
Most respected competitor and why: Citywide Banks, because they are a family-owned bank that operates with a high degree of integrity and faith. I like that.
First choice for a new career: Boys & Girls Club.

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