Katie Wahlquist named Star Bank president/CEO

Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Star Bank and its holding company MidWest Bancorporation elected Katie Wahlquist as bank president/CEO. 

Wahlquist was elected CEO following the July 19 death of her father, Star Bank Founder and President/CEO Harry Wahlquist. She was named president and chief strategy officer of Star Bank the day before her father’s death. 

Katie Wahlquist professional photo
Katie Wahlquist

Katie Wahlquist is expected to oversee the bank’s strategic direction and its 11 branches in central and west-central Minnesota along with the metro. Wahlquist, who has been with Star Bank since the fall of 2010, has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Des Moines-based Drake University; Master of Arts degree from St. Paul-based Bethel University; and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. 

Wahlquist serves on the boards of Star Bank; MidWest Bancorporation; Minnesota Bankers Association; American Red Cross Minnesota & Dakotas Region; and Transforming Resources.

Star Bank also announced several additional promotions, including Matt Geist to executive vice president and CFO; Andy Guse to EVP and chief credit officer; and Andy Wahlquist to EVP and chief operations officer.  

A celebration of life for Harry Wahlquist is slated for 11 a.m. on Aug. 24 at Grace Church Chapel in Eden Prairie.