Faculty
We are incredibly fortunate to have over 40 dedicated faculty members with over 900 combined years of industry experience who give their time, talents, and energy to our programs.
We're proud that over 70% of our faculty are active bankers who not only talk the talk, but have walked the walk to which our banker students can immediately relate. When you combine our banker instructors with industry leaders from academia, financial services consulting groups, and governmental entities, you have a winning combination of experiences and perspectives that lead to outstanding educational experiences for our bankers.
Read more below from a few of our faculty members, as well as a committee member about their experiences with the Schools of Banking.
Dr. David Kohl and Joe Carey instructing at the Agricultural Lending School.
WHY SCHOOLS OF BANKING?
Continued Career Growth
Case-driven, Real-Life Learning
Case-driven, Real-Life Learning
In 1989 I attended the Agricultural Lending School in Kearney, Nebraska. Since then I have attended several other Schools of Banking schools, been a part of steering and advisory committees, and served as School Director, Associate Director and Instructor for the Ag Lending School. Through nearly 30 years of association with the School
In 1989 I attended the Agricultural Lending School in Kearney, Nebraska. Since then I have attended several other Schools of Banking schools, been a part of steering and advisory committees, and served as School Director, Associate Director and Instructor for the Ag Lending School. Through nearly 30 years of association with the Schools of Banking as a student, advisor and educator I continue to be impressed with the level of professionalism, the attention to detail and the commitment to banker education that has always been the hallmark of the Schools of Banking. Even though I’ve attended every Ag Lending School since 1989, I come away with something practical to take home to my bank each time.
Craig Dewalt
Retired Senior Vice President
Exchange Bank
Grand Island, Nebraska
Faculty Member Since 1990
Case-driven, Real-Life Learning
Case-driven, Real-Life Learning
Case-driven, Real-Life Learning
As a brand-new commercial lender in 1993, the Commercial Lending School was critical to my professional development. As I now look over the worn pages of my student manual, they remind me of how much I relied upon this material. I am honored to be your Lead Instructor and School Director: maintaining the tradition of this case-driven,
As a brand-new commercial lender in 1993, the Commercial Lending School was critical to my professional development. As I now look over the worn pages of my student manual, they remind me of how much I relied upon this material. I am honored to be your Lead Instructor and School Director: maintaining the tradition of this case-driven, real-life practical learning school to deliver a working resource, coupled with an invaluable networking experience.
Michael Wear
President
39 Acres Corporation
Omaha, Nebraska
Faculty Member Since 2004
Gain a Competitive Advantage
Above & Beyond Faculty Commitment
Above & Beyond Faculty Commitment
The Schools of Banking has had a major impact on the advancement of my career. I’ve attended the School of Banking Fundamentals, Advanced School of Banking, Ag Lending School, and Advanced Ag Lending School. There has been something at every one of these schools that I’ve been able to begin using the day I got back to the bank, and I’ve
The Schools of Banking has had a major impact on the advancement of my career. I’ve attended the School of Banking Fundamentals, Advanced School of Banking, Ag Lending School, and Advanced Ag Lending School. There has been something at every one of these schools that I’ve been able to begin using the day I got back to the bank, and I’ve been able to leverage that as a competitive advantage.
As I’ve gone on in my career and have had the opportunity to send people to the Schools, having that immediate return on the bank’s investment is something I appreciate even more now than I did when I was the student.
I’ve had the unique opportunity to experience the schools as a student, a committee member, and now as a member of the faculty at the Ag Lending School. I haven’t encountered anything else in my career that can provide anything even close to that experience. I view my role as an instructor as an opportunity to give back some of the good the Schools have done for me.
Joe Carey
Market President, Lexington
Home Federal Bank
Valentine, Nebraska
Lending Advisory Committee Faculty Representative
Faculty Member Since 2016
Above & Beyond Faculty Commitment
Above & Beyond Faculty Commitment
Above & Beyond Faculty Commitment
Commercial Lending School was such a wonderful experience for me. It instilled in me a growth mindset and the foundation to become a well-rounded commercial banker. I was truly thankful to have an instructor who was willing to share his knowledge not only during the week, but even after the school ended with a simple phone call or email.
Commercial Lending School was such a wonderful experience for me. It instilled in me a growth mindset and the foundation to become a well-rounded commercial banker. I was truly thankful to have an instructor who was willing to share his knowledge not only during the week, but even after the school ended with a simple phone call or email.
Now as a Lending Advisory Committee Member, I realize how each instructor helps out their students and understands their different learning styles and abilities. They also want all the students to know they really care about them on a personal level and even take time for one-on-one learning sessions.
Darren Sanchez
Assistant Vice President/Assistant Manager
Cornerstone Bank
Grand Island, Nebraska
Lending Advisory Committee Chair
2024-2025