An informative Zoom sit-down conversation with Minnesota native, Noah Wilcox, fourth-generation community banker, President, CEO, and Chairman of Grand Rapids State Bank, its holding company, Wilcox Bancshares Inc. and Chairman and CEO of Minnesota Lakes Bank based in Delano, Minnesota. Noah shares about his humbled roots with a hardworking single mother trying to make ends meet, who taught him drive, focus, and the results of a strong work ethic. Noah discusses his original career plans of majoring with art and photography at the University of Minnesota Duluth, but decided to pivot and ultimately become a fourth-generation community banker and leader within the industry. He discusses the importance of relationship building within the banking and financial industry, investing in individuals’ and business’ futures, working with the government to help support small businesses, especially after the 2008 recession, and the forms of technology and security systems his businesses take to ensure their client’s investments are protected. Noah is a leader within the banking world as a past chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the only national organization that exclusively represents community banks. In addition, Noah is the vice chairman of the ICBA Nominating Committee, member on the Policy Development and ThinkTECH Selection committees an Executive Committee liaison for ICBA’s Bank Education Committee. Noah concludes by sharing he decided in his free time during the 2020 pandemic to write a cookbook, which is now available for purchase. Enjoy this week’s episode of Leader of the Pack; a podcast by Duluth Pack. Learn more about Grand Rapids State Bank at https://grsb.bank. Continue to support and buy American Made gear at www.duluthpack.com. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/duluth-pack/support