For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – Crossbridge Community Bank today announced that PJ Childers has been named the new President of Crossbridge Community Bank, Crossbridge Mutual Holding Company and Crossbridge Financial Inc.
Childers’ promotion from Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending took effect on Monday, April 15.
A Tuesday, April 16 release from Crossbridge said Childers’ new role will include overseeing operations and strategic planning for the bank alongside Crossbridge CEO Mark Zulliger. Childers will also take a seat on Crossbridge’s Board of Directors.
The release said Childers is a 19-year veteran of Crossbridge, noting that she has been part of the executive leadership team for the past seven years and has been “integral to the creation and implementation of the bank’s 2022 rebrand.”
“PJ has always had a clear and distinct vision to propel the bank into our next era,” Zulliger stated. “She is rooted in the community and is an example of the integrity and service model that drive our organization.”
Childers said she is “very excited” for this next step in her banking career.
“Crossbridge Community Bank is more than just an employer,” she stated. “To be able to work for an organization that puts purpose first has truly been fulfilling.”
Childers graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She also completed the Wisconsin Bankers Association School of Bank Management and in 2019 became a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at UW-Madison.
The release noted that Childers is also a longtime board member of the STAR (Support Tomahawk Area Resources) Foundation and the Tomahawk Hockey Association, and she recently completed her term on the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) BOLT (Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow) board.
“(Childers) was fortunate to have traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with banking regulators as part of a WBA advocacy trip,” the release said, adding that she has also previously been on the board of Tomahawk Main Street Inc., Tomahawk Youth Baseball and Lincoln County Partners in Education.
Childers succeeds Kathy Rankin, who recently retired after 46 years with Crossbridge.
“I have been beyond blessed to have had Kathy Rankin as a mentor for the past 19 years,” Childers stated. “I’m confident I will make her proud. I’m looking forward to working alongside our CEO Mark Zulliger to continue to grow in my banking career and help mentor and lead our staff here at Crossbridge.”
Kyle Zastrow, Crossbridge Community Bank Chairman of the Board, said the organization is pleased to see Childers’ ascension to President.
“She embodies what it means to be a community banker,” Zastrow stated. “Our belief in local talent and organic professional growth via strong mentors/role models is evident with her promotion. We look forward to her imprint on Crossbridge for years to come in her expanded role.”
About Crossbridge Community Bank
“As a purpose-driven, local financial institution, we will make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of our customers and the future of our community through the unique structure and culture of mutual banking,” the release said. “We proudly have two locations to serve you in Merrill and Tomahawk, Wis. Our two locations share more than 100 years of history in our communities, as true community banks and partners. Crossbridge Community Bank puts purpose first.”