Kelly Skalicky is taking over the CEO role from her father at Stearns Bank, St. Cloud, Minn., in addition to her role as president.
Norm Skalicky had led the bank since 1964. He will remain as chair.
“Passing the torch to my daughter is personally so rewarding for me and a natural progression for both Kelly and the business,” Norm Skalicky said. “As a father, it has been my greatest pleasure to watch Kelly grow into the leader she is now.”
Kelly Skalicky, named president last year, previously served the bank as senior vice president and director of SBA lending. She also has been the company’s general counsel for the past six years, though she’s provided legal counsel to the bank for two decades.
“It is a privilege to take on this new role,” Kelly Skalicky said. “I’m humbled to accept this leadership position in our family’s company that has been instrumental in my life and the foundation of my entrepreneurial drive.”
Founded in 1912, Stearns Bank is a $2 billion, independently-owned financial institution with four locations in Minnesota, three in Florida and one in Arizona; it specializes in small business lending and equipment financing.
Stearns has been named a No. 1 top performing bank nationally in its peer group by American Banker Magazine in both 2017 and 2018.