Minster Bank formally announces the retirement of Dave Kelch, who has served as the New Bremen Branch Manager for over 37 years. Dave’s tenure has been marked by his unwavering commitment to the community and customer-first approach to service.

Reflecting on his career, Dave shared, “The successes and failures both stand out. You can try to get it right, but that is not how life works. My first supervisor made it very clear to me that if you always focus on doing what’s right for the customer, things will work out – and he was right!” He added, “I will miss working with the community and my coworkers. They have been a huge influence on who I have become over the years, and I am very thankful for that.”

“Dave has been an invaluable asset to our team and the New Bremen community. His dedication and leadership have left a lasting impact,” added Alicia Hershberger, Minster Bank’s VP of Retail Banking. “We are excited to welcome Julie Uhlenhake as the new Branch Manager. Her extensive banking experience and enthusiasm for serving others make her the perfect fit for this role. We look forward to seeing her continue Dave’s legacy of customer-first service in New Bremen.”

Julie has been in banking for over 27 years, starting her career by establishing a Call Center at Minster Bank. She has since been involved in bank-wide training, operations, and financial literacy. She expressed her vision for the branch, stating, “Dave has such a great thing going and has left some big shoes to fill; I do not anticipate making many immediate changes. Mostly, I look forward to reconnecting with the community and utilizing my experience to help others achieve financial success.”

Julie plans to engage with the community through getting involved in local civic organizations and meeting customers. She finds it rewarding to help others navigate financial scenarios and achieve life goals.

Dave plans to enjoy his retirement by biking, playing tennis, spending more time with family and friends, and completing house projects. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you, Minster Bank and the New Bremen community, for all the support through the years. It’s been a privilege to work with and assist you all – and I will miss it!”

Please join us in congratulating Dave on his retirement and welcoming Julie to her new role during an open house on Friday, April 4th from 1:00 – 3:00pm at the New Bremen Branch. Light refreshments will be provided.