Forward Bank

Exactly 50 years to the day, Gene Knoll retired from Forward Bank leaving an industry that he enjoyed and influenced for decades.

Knoll started his banking career on January 4, 1974, with the Security State Bank in Colby as a Loan Officer and advanced within the bank to serve as President & CEO. When Security State Bank and the State Bank of Medford combined to form Mid-Wisconsin Bank, he served as President & CEO growing the footprint to include fourteen communities.

Forward Bank brought Knoll onto the team leading up to the entrance into the Medford community in 2010. As a Vice President / Senior Commercial Loan Officer, he has served customers, guided processes, and mentored new team members. His experience helped to frame a growing organization for the second time in his career.

Dedicated to serving the communities that he has lived in, Knoll served on the Colby City Council, Clark County Economic Development Board, and as the Mayor of Colby. When he moved his family to Medford, he spent 10 years leading the Medford Economic Development Foundation, six years on the Taylor County Board of Supervisors, and as a Director at Banker’s Bank for six years.

The connections Knoll made personally and professionally have benefited countless businesses, community groups, and generations of individuals. He gave thousands of volunteer hours to the youth of the area teaching Snowmobile Safety, helping with Hunter Safety, and grooming our area snowmobile trails. His love of the outdoors was in action with the Taylor County Sportsman’s Club and as delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

“Gene has positively influenced all levels of the team at Forward – from Executive leadership to new staff just learning about our industry,” commented Bill Sennholz, CEO of Forward. “His quiet comments and questions during meetings challenged us all to be better bankers and planners for the future of our communities. As colleagues and friends, we thank Gene for his years of mentoring and service and wish him well in his retirement.”