Meet Our Team

Jennifer Borg joined Northwest Bank in July of 2018 as the Branch Leader of our new Perryville location. In April of 2019, she added the role of Branch Leader of our Loves Park location as well. With over 15 years of experience in Retail Banking, Jennifer strives to give customers the best experience possible while assisting with their financial needs. Jennifer is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Rockford through the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

A member of the Northwest Bank Team since 2012, Kent Kohlbacher takes pride in the hands-on approach Northwest Bank takes in helping local business Customers. Kent works to build and maintain relationships with high-quality, local companies and their management teams, creating a positive experience that will help Northwest Bank continue to develop new relationships through referrals.

A self-described avid golfer, Kent loves taking in the outdoor recreation opportunities and amenities that Rockford offers. That love of local recreation led Kent to join the Rockford Park District Foundation Board. Kent enjoys cheering for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears.

Craig Carlson, Senior Relationship Manager, works with local business owners to provide a consultative approach that offers unique and optimal solutions for their business banking needs. Craig handles all types of business credit, including real estate and equipment loans, working capital lines of credit, and SBA loans. He also has a variety of cash management and deposit product solutions that provide efficiency and convenience.

Craig is married to Lynn, a Registered Nurse, and has 2 daughters, Cassie and Allie, who are both Registered Nurses. Craig is active in the community, serving as Chairman of the Board for the Parks Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Board for the Literacy Council.  He is also a mentor in the Black Male Initiative through the United Way, and does volunteer work with the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. A lover of music, Craig has written and recorded two CDs in recent years.

Amy has been a team member at Northwest Bank since March of 2023. She has over 34 years of commercial banking experience and business acumen that allows her to provide beneficial solutions that assist companies in realizing their strategic goals. Collaborating with companies and serving as a consultant, she actively listens to the client to create financial solutions that are tailored to their specific growth objectives, using a holistic approach to the wide range of available Banking services. Her approach has allowed her to develop and maintain strong client relationships assisting them in each stage of their company's life cycle. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Business Administration from Illinois State University. Amy is the recipient of the “2012 Twenty People You Should Know” by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, has been named as a Pinnacle Professional in the “Inner Circle Executive” Magazine, invited by TD Ameritrade to be a panelist for “Estate and Trust Planning for a Family Business – A Team Approach” at their LINC National Conference and most recently received the Pinnacle Achievement Award as a 2022 Top Commercial Sales Performer.  As an active member of the community, she works with numerous organizations and boards. Amy is currently serving as Chair of the Salvation Army Board.

Rob Gillette joined the Business Banking team at Northwest Bank in April of 2016 as Vice President, Relationship Manager.  Rob has more than 20 years of banking experience, including working with commercial customers in the Northern Illinois area for more than  15 years.  He has developed great relationships with his customers by working to ensure that their needs are being met and ultimately that their business is successful.  His experience with Equipment Loans, Lines of Credit, Small Business Administration and Commercial Real Estate are a great addition to the Northwest Bank team.

Rob is a life-long Rockford area resident.  He volunteers for several local organizations including the Stateline Chamber Board, Stateline Chamber Ambassador, Stateline Chamber Golf Play Day Committee, and he is a baseball coach at  the Rockford Boys and Girls Club.  He and his wife are the parents of one son, and share their home with their dog Millie.  When he is not coaching his son in baseball and basketball, working in the yard, or spending time with his family, Rob is cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks and the University of Notre Dame.

Rich has been a team member with Northwest Bank for over 19 years.  After a successful career in television broadcast management, Rich joined Northwest Bank in 2003.  In changing careers, Rich entered a 2-year bank management training program working in every department: Retail Banking; Business Banking; Mortgage; Loan and Deposit Operations.  After successfully completing the training program, Rich became a Business Banking Relationship Manager.  In 2008, Rich transitioned into the Credit Administration Department as a Senior Credit Analyst responsible for analyzing business and consumer loan requests.  Additionally, Rich is responsible for overseeing the Consumer Central Credit approval process, approving all consumer loans.  In 2022, Rich has returned to a Business Banking Relationship role as well as continuing overseeing the Consumer Central Credit area.

Steve McKeever joined the Business Banking team of Northwest Bank in June 2017. He works with local business owners to onboard their current and future business banking needs. He was the President and Owner of two successful local businesses for 39 years where he developed business relationships with small to multi-state businesses throughout the Rockford and surrounding areas. As a former business owner, Steve is well equipped to listen, analyze and match each customer’s business needs with a member of his team of business banking specialists to help them meet and exceed their customer’s goals. Steve was born in Rockford and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BS in Business Administration. In June of 2009 he became a Board of Director of Northwest Bank. He is married to Theresa Ferguson, who works as a CPA in Chicago. He is a big fan of collegiate wrestling and a fan of Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.

Sheryl Haberle has been part of the Northwest Bank Team since 2001. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the bank’s cash management services and assist our business Customers in tailoring financial strategies to help take their business to the next level.

Sheryl enjoys spending time with her family and her dog. When it comes to sports, she cheers for teams from Wisconsin, especially the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Michael has been a team member at Northwest Bank since September 2014 and joined the Business Banking team in February 2021 as a Sales Associate. He has over 14 years of experience in banking and customer service. In this role, he will work closely with the Relationship Managers and customers to ensure that they achieve financial success. Michael holds a seat on the Board of Directors for Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and enjoys volunteering his time. Michael’s spare time is spent with his wife and two children,as well as his dog. Michael’s hobbies include working out regularly, 3D printing homemade designs, playing guitar, and woodworking.  

Lorri joined our team in August 2023 as a Senior Business Baking Sales Associate.  She has over 25 years of banking experience working closely with Relationship Managers to provide exceptional customer service to business clients. Her previous banking experience has also included time in Private Banking and Special Assets.  In her free time she loves spending time with her four grandchildren, traveling and watching the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, March Madness and her husband’s Creston Regulators Vintage Baseball Team.

J.T. has been a Team Member at Northwest Bank since 1998.  His experience includes Consumer, Commercial and Mortgage lending.  In his current role, J.T. provides leadership for the Retail Banking Team at all four bank locations.  J.T. is a 2003 graduate of Rockford University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

J.T. is involved in several local charities, including Share Fest, Project 1013 and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. He also serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations.  

Joe began his career in banking in 2001 after earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Maranatha Baptist University.  He joined the Northwest Bank team in February 2018 as the Branch Leader of the Machesney Park location.  Joe helps his team provide top tier customer service and assist our customers by finding the perfect blend of products and services to help meet their financial goals.

Joe and his wife, Tracy, have three sons.  They stay active by supporting their children’s varied sports and activities and working with the youth at their local church.  In his free time, Joe enjoys sports, camping and woodworking.

Artice Kudalis joined the Northwest Bank team in 2010, and has been providing our Customers with the best possible banking experience ever since. Her wealth of experience comes from 30 years of banking experience, including branch and project management responsibilities. As a leader for the bank’s Retail Team, she is responsible for developing relationships with the bank’s Customers with a focus on a warm and friendly customer service experience by helping them find the right solution for their banking needs.

Artice and her husband, John, have five children and seven grandchildren that they love to nurture and, at times, spoil. Artice also actively supports organizations sponsored by Northwest Bank. On weekends, she loves spending time with her family, boating, decorating, cooking and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Pat Peterson was born and raised in Rockford.  In fact, he grew up 2 blocks from the Rockton Avenue facility.  Pat started his banking career in 1984 at Northwest Bank.  He rejoined the bank in June 2018 to expand the banks’ products and enter into Indirect Lending business.  Pat will be working closely with the local car dealerships to provide financing of customers’ automobile purchase.  Pat has more than 34 years of banking experience, most recently managing the indirect loan department and the retail division of a local bank.

Pat completed the Graduate School of Banking program in Madison Wisconsin and presently serves on the Winnebago County Animal Shelter Auxiliary board.

Pat and his wife Lisa have two adult children, Rob and Michael, and six grandchildren.

Pat enjoys spending time with his family and following the Chicago Cubs and Bears.  Pat also enjoys music and was the drummer in the band Clutch Cargo for 19 years.

Scott Mortensen joined Northwest Bank in March of 2019 as an Indirect Loan Officer. He has over 30 years banking experience in the Northern Illinois region. Scott will be working with the local auto dealers as Northwest expands the banks products in the Indirect lending business. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including United Way, Belvidere YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, Boone County Planning Commission, Growth Dimensions of Boone County and the City of Belvidere Library Board.  Scott has two children, Kristin is a Registered Nurse with OSF St. Anthony and Eric is a Civil Engineer living in Kansas City. Scott likes to golf and travel and cheer for the Chicago Bears.

As Vice President of Mortgage Banking, Amy Bruscato leads Northwest Bank’s Mortgage Team to ensure Customers receive the best possible experience. Amy works with our Customers on home purchases, home refinancing, and home improvements. She also ensures the bank’s Team has the necessary resources to serve Customers, while supporting other divisions within Northwest Bank.
 

Amy is a graduate of Boylan High School and attended Loras College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and their blended family of four. On weekends, she likes to travel to Galena, Illinois or attend a Cubs game in Chicago.

I originally started with Northwest Bank in August 2016 where I worked as a Mortgage Loan Processor for 3 years. From there, I continued working in the mortgage industry as a Loan Processor at two more lending institutions before coming back to Northwest Bank to start my career as a Mortgage Loan Originator. My goal is to help customers with the financing decision that best suits their needs and to make the lending process as smooth as possible. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family and friends and travel.

Kelsey Bronkema joined the Northwest Bank Mortgage Team in February 2018. She has had numerous positions in the mortgage industry in the last five years, this includes Compliance, Processing, Loan Assistant, and now Mortgage Loan Originator. Kelsey’s primary responsibility is helping customers navigate through their financing options that will best suit their financial needs. She is the younger of two siblings. Kelsey likes to spend her free time with her family, friends, and dog. She takes a lot of pride in her three nephews and loves cheering them on in their sporting events.