CEO and Chairman

Norman C. Skalicky was born and raised on a farm near Brocket ND to Clarence and Ethel Skalicky. He attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, graduating with a degree in accounting. He also served for two years in the U.S. Army as Lieutenant.

In 1965, Skalicky purchased controlling interest in Stearns County State Bank, Albany MN. A few months later, he purchased controlling interest of First State Bank, Albany MN, combining them into a national bank charter. Over the next 20 years, Norm acquired many more community banks and expanded with locations in St. Cloud, Edina and Scottsdale.

In 1980, Skalicky diversified the bank portfolio by adding a nationwide leasing division. Since the 1990s, other loan divisions were developed including affordable housing financing, construction finance, land development loans, financing for ethanol plants and small business loans for national brand franchises nationwide. In addition, the bank has started a financial services company in Utah and continues to expand offerings.

In 1985, under Skalicky’s leadership, employees became employee owners through an Employee Stock Ownership Program. The banks employ about 300 employees.

Today, the banks have combined assets of $1.6 billion. The bank consistently earns high performance rankings among its peers. Under Skalicky’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, the banks have not only earned high rankings over the past 17 years, but also increased in asset size on average of 19% a year.

For the past six years, Skalicky has inspired Central Minnesota to generously give to charities with his matching charity challenges. To date, the Charity Challenges have raised about $500,000 to benefit local food shelves over the holidays since it began through the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation. Other challenges include a $100,000 matching grant challenge for Habitat For Humanity. Most recently, Norm issued a $1 for $1 matching challenge up to $500,000 for the East Side Boys and Girls Club for their new building.

Skalicky has also donated to the St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical College, Boys and Girls Scouts of America and many other local charities. He also has contributed to his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, where he was given the school’s Sioux Award, recognizing lifetime achievement and continued support of the University of North Dakota. The University of North Dakota has renamed its Rural Technology Center the Norm Skalicky Tech Incubator.