Nick Vrba was promoted to president and named director at the RVR Bank Board of Directors annual meeting on Jan. 10.
He succeeds Chuck Johannsen, who will continue with his duties as Chairman of the Board and CEO.
Vrba brings nearly 22 years of experience to the role of president. Vrba has been with RVR Bank (formerly First State Bank & Trust Company) since 2002 when he started at the bank as a part-time teller. He rose through the ranks and has served as Head Teller and Lobby Supervisor, Assistant Loan Officer – Review, Assistant Vice President – Loan & Loan Review Officer, Vice President – Loans, Administration and Review, Senior Vice President-Senior Lender, Executive Vice President, Secretary of the Board of Directors and member of the Executive Team.
“We have a proud history of cultivating talent from within our organization. Our proactive succession plan identified Nick as a key leader long ago,” Johannsen said. “Nick is intelligent, well respected and very determined. He has a great attention to detail and an intense commitment to not just his colleagues and clients, but to the community as well. He has proven that he has the abilities and skillset to lead RVR Bank into the future.”
Vrba said he has appreciated the opportunities he has been given as a member of the RVR team.
“Starting out, I didn’t know that I would find joy in the world of finance, but banking surprised me. Turns out, I thrive on the satisfaction of helping clients, and the camaraderie of my team,” he said. “It’s more than just a job; it’s an adventure. … I look forward to building on Chuck’s legacy of leadership as I step into this new role.”
Vrba is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado, the Nebraska Bankers Association/Kansas Bankers Association (NBA/KBA) Commercial Lending School, the NBA/KBA Graduate Commercial Lending School and the Nebraska Bankers Association Leadership Program. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Midland University.
Vrba currently serves as a member of the NBA Board of Directors and is active with the NBA and ABA on various government relations issues. He is a member of the NBA & KBA Schools of Banking where he also teaches. He has served as President of the Board of the Fremont Area United Way, the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity, First Lutheran Church and the Midland University Alumni Association. He has been honored with the ABA Emerging Leader Award and the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Compass Award. Vrba and his wife, Tracey, have three daughters and are members of First Lutheran Church.
