Alerus Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: ALRS) has announced that Jon Hendry, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, will retire at the end of the year. As part of a planned succession, Hendry will transition his responsibilities to Karin Taylor, who will take on the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer starting January 1, 2025. In addition, the company has welcomed Joe Birkholz as its new Chief Risk Officer.
Karin Taylor, who joined Alerus in 2018 as Chief Risk Officer, brings nearly 30 years of experience in the financial industry, with a focus on risk management. As Chief Operating Officer, Taylor will continue to oversee risk management, regulatory compliance, legal, internal audit, and operations, while also taking on responsibility for information technology.
Joe Birkholz, who has almost 20 years of industry experience with a decade spent specializing in risk management, joins Alerus from Bridgewater Bank, where he served as Chief Risk Officer. He also previously worked as Senior Director of Risk Operations at TCF Financial Corporation/National Bank. As Chief Risk Officer at Alerus, Birkholz will collaborate with the company’s risk committee to strengthen its risk management framework as Alerus continues to grow.
“Jon Hendry has had an extraordinary 40-year tenure at Alerus, leading numerous technology initiatives that have supported our strategy and growth,” said Katie Lorenson, President and CEO of Alerus. “His contributions have been invaluable, including saving the company’s servers during the devastating 1997 Grand Forks flood and fire. We are grateful for Jon’s continued dedication as he works with Karin to ensure a smooth leadership transition. As Karin steps into her expanded role, we are also thrilled to welcome Joe Birkholz, whose extensive risk management expertise will help further strengthen our company during this exciting phase of growth.
About Alerus Financial Corporation
Alerus Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: ALRS) is a commercial wealth bank and national retirement services provider with corporate offices in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. Through its subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association, Alerus provides diversified and comprehensive financial solutions to businesses and consumer clients, including banking, wealth services, and retirement and benefits plans and services. Alerus provides clients with a primary point of contact to help fully understand the unique needs and delivery channel preferences of each client. Clients are provided with competitive products, valuable insight, and sound advice supported by digital solutions designed to meet the clients’ needs.
Alerus operates 29 banking and wealth offices, with locations in Grand Forks and Fargo, North Dakota; the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area; Rochester, Minnesota; southern Minnesota, Marshalltown, Iowa; Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Alerus also operates a commercial wealth office in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Alerus Retirement and Benefits serves advisors, brokers, employers, and plan participants across the United States.
