Our Team

As the principal founder of the Company and the Bank, Jerry was responsible for all aspects of the Bank’s formation, including the initial capital raise, business plan, board and management team structure and recruitment, charter and regulatory approval. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, positions he has held since the Bank was founded in 2005.

Jerry was recognized in The Minnesota 500 as one of the most powerful and influential leaders in Minnesota in 2019 and 2020 and in the Twin Cities Business magazine as one of the top 100 people to know in 2019. Additionally, he was awarded Banker of the Year by NorthWestern Financial Review (aka BankBeat) in 2017 and was a nominee for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year award by Ernst & Young. Jerry serves on the Advisory Board for the commercial banking program at Marquette University.

A member of the board since 2019, Lisa is CEO of Salo, a leading staffing and consulting firm for finance, accounting and human resources in Minneapolis and Chicago. As an accomplished leader with over 25 years’ experience, Ms. Brezonik brings expertise in talent acquisition, human resources and leadership development to Bridgewater. Before joining Salo as Chief Talent Officer in 2015, Ms. Brezonik held various human resources leadership roles at RBC Dain Rauscher, Integ, and Room and Board. She spent eight years as the owner and entrepreneur behind Brezonik Consulting, a Twin Cities executive coaching and organizational consulting firm. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of Hennepin Health Foundation and Kipsu.

Jim is a founding director of the board and owner of Flagship Marketing, Inc., a privately-held company that owns and operates franchise offices doing business as Express Employment Professionals (Express) and Specialized Recruiting Group (SRG), which both deliver staffing support and human resource services through an international network of offices. In addition, Jim currently serves as Regional Franchise Developer for Express Services, Inc.

Mr. Juran, a director of the Company and the Bank since 2010, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Colliers Mortgage, a full-service nationwide mortgage banking firm. He has been with his company (and its predecessor Dougherty Financial Group) since 2002 and is also a member of the Board of Directors of Colliers Mortgage Holdings. Prior to joining Colliers Mortgage, Mr. Juran served as Senior Vice President of a regional investment banking firm for over 14 years. Mr. Juran serves on the board of several non-profits, including Summit Academy and Minnesota Attainable Housing.

Mr. Lawal joined the board in 2020 and is the lead founder, CEO and Principal Architect of LSE Architects, Inc., an entrepreneurial, Twin Cities-based architecture, interior design and planning firm. Mr. Lawal has over 30 years’ experience in design, planning and programming. Under his leadership, LSE Architects has provided architectural services for a variety of projects ranging from barbershops and schools to multifamily housing and U.S. Bank Stadium.

As a member of the board since 2018, Doug is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Ameriprise Financial, Inc., a Fortune 250 diversified financial services company. As both a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor, Doug is a financial expert with 30 years of diverse experience across several disciplines, including accounting, finance, audit, risk management, regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

Jeff is a founder of the Company and founding director of the board. He has worked in the regulatory and commercial banking industry for over 35 years. As Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Jeff is responsible for all aspects of the Bank’s credit policies and risk management systems. He currently chairs the loan and credit department committees and plays an integral role in credit actions on the Bank’s largest lending relationships.

Tom is a founding director of the board. He is the President and Founder of BIG INK, a visual communications company that creates branded solutions for Fortune 1000 companies, an organization he has run since 1999. Prior to founding BIG INK, Tom held a marketing and business management positions at General Mills and Periscope, a Twin Cities advertising firm.

Todd is a founding director of the board. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., a 130 lawyer general practice firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Todd has practiced with Winthrop & Weinstine since 1985 and has been a shareholder with the firm since 1988, and is also a Certified Public Accountant. He has served on the Board of Directors of Winthrop & Weinstine as well as its senior management and compensation committees since 1993.

David, a member of the board since 2017, is a principal at Castle Creek Capital, an alternative asset management firm focused on the community banking industry located in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He has been with Castle Creek Capital since 2005 and has led or supported investments in numerous recapitalization, distressed and growth solutions.

As the principal founder of the Company and the Bank, Jerry was responsible for all aspects of the Bank’s formation, including the initial capital raise, business plan, board and management team structure and recruitment, charter and regulatory approval. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, positions he has held since the Bank was founded in 2005.

Jerry was recognized in The Minnesota 500 as one of the most powerful and influential leaders in Minnesota in 2019 and 2020 and in the Twin Cities Business magazine as one of the top 100 people to know in 2019. Additionally, he was awarded Banker of the Year by NorthWestern Financial Review (aka BankBeat) in 2017 and was a nominee for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year award by Ernst & Young. Jerry serves on the Advisory Board for the commercial banking program at Marquette University.

Mary Jayne has been with the Bank since its origin and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2014. Prior to her role as COO, she was the Bank’s Senior Vice President of Communications, where she was instrumental in building awareness of the Bridgewater Bank brand, creating the branch network, introducing banking solutions and helping develop a strong positive culture. In her current role, Mary Jayne is responsible for directing the implementation of all strategic initiatives. Each day she ensures Bridgewater delivers on its promise to be the finest entrepreneurial bank in the Twin Cities to clients, investors and team members alike.

Mary Jayne was recognized as one of the Top Women in Finance in the Twin Cities by Finance & Commerce. Furthermore, she was honored as one of the Top Women in Business for 2017 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. She is a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and is the President of the Bank Holding Company Association. Mary Jayne also serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota and Eden Prairie Community Foundation.

Jeff is a founder of the Company and founding director of the board. He has worked in the regulatory and commercial banking industry for over 35 years. As Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Jeff is responsible for all aspects of the Bank’s credit policies and risk management systems. He currently chairs the loan and credit department committees and plays an integral role in credit actions on the Bank’s largest lending relationships.

Joe serves as Chief Financial Officer and has been with Bridgewater Bank since 2013. In his position, Joe directs and manages all financial-related activities for the Bank, including but not limited to accounting, regulatory reporting, liquidity management, investment strategies, insurance and capital development. Additionally, he chairs the Bank’s Asset Liability Management and Investment committees.

Joe currently serves on the board of People Serving People, Minnesota’s largest and most comprehensive homeless shelter.

Nick serves as Chief Lending Officer and has been with Bridgewater Bank since 2007. He oversees a talented team of lenders as well as an active portfolio of loans. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, he actively engages in loan origination, primarily focusing on real estate lending in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Nick has been instrumental in strategically developing specialty loan products in response to market demands.

Lisa serves as Chief Deposit Officer and has been with Bridgewater Bank since 2018. She is responsible for driving accountability and results through initiatives that deliver revenue growth, market share, new business opportunities and market penetration, including oversight of all deposit operational systems and processes. In addition to leading a talented team of deposit services professionals, she is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the Bank’s product offering by maintaining awareness of industry trends.

Lisa has nearly 30 years of banking experience and was selected as one of the Top Women in Finance for 2021 by Finance & Commerce.

Mark joined Bridgewater Bank in 2019 as Chief Technology Officer. In his position, he is responsible for driving the Bank’s technology strategy by developing innovative, resilient, and secure solutions that generate efficiencies across the organization. By leading a dynamic team of IT professionals, Mark ensures the Bank’s technology roadmap is aligned with business goals and growth objectives.

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "A bank for entrepreneurs founded by entrepreneurs. We don't just understand our clients' needs, we anticipate them."

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We are constantly moving forward for our clients. We're never satisfied with where we're at and I wouldn't want it any other way."

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "While many things comprise BWB’s unconventional nature, my own contribution lies in my uncommon path to becoming a lender after previously being among the earliest clients of the bank as a real estate investor, builder, realtor, and property manager."

Specialty: Construction Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater's creativity and willingness to think “outside the box” is what separates us from traditional Big Banks."

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We understand our clients' needs and move quickly. The lending process at Bridgewater is streamlined and uncomplicated."

Specialty: Commercial Real Estate

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Open-minded leadership fueled by a can-do spirited team. Our clients notice the difference."

Specialty: C&I Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater does things differently. When everyone else is going one way, we go the other and see things from a new perspective."

Specialty: C&I Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Banking and lending can be cumbersome. At Bridgewater, we're dedicated to simplifying the client experience."

Specialty: Construction Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "An entrepreneurial approach with exceptional customer service, flexibility, responsiveness and focus on growth makes it easy to serve clients and build lasting relationships."

Specialty: C&I Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We are able to understand deals quickly and offer seamless execution from initial meeting to loan closing by taking a common-sense approach to lending."

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "At Bridgewater you have a team approach with a friendly, willing and able staff there to assist you with all of your banking needs. You can count on creative solutions and have direct access to decision makers that have the ability to think outside the box.”

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "It's the people that make up the Bridgewater experience. We take the time to get to know our clients and never have a one size fits all approach to anything."

Specialty: Commercial Real Estate Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Flexibility. Local decision making. Responsive. It’s as simple as that."

Specialty: C&I Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater has a refreshing approach to banking, where we move quickly and have fun along the way."

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "At Bridgewater, we offer common-sense lending and an exceptional client experience. Our relationship approach to banking means we go beyond the numbers, setting us apart from your typical bank."

Specialty: Commercial Real Estate

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Not only are new ideas and approaches to banking accepted, they're encouraged."

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional:

"Our success is not only measured by financials, but the growth of our clients. We understand their needs and are dedicated to helping achieve their goals."

Specialty: Commercial Real Estate

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "BWB is constantly evolving to anticipate our clients' wants and needs."

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We provide what many other banks cannot offer: creative loan structures and local decision making, while providing a simplified on-boarding process and the ability to close quickly."

What makes Bridgewater unconventional? “We have a knowledgeable and creative team that welcomes the 'out of the box' opportunity and moves quickly to structure a package best suited for our clients' needs.”

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We go above and beyond serving our clients through unparalleled focus and dedication - offering smart tailored solutions with local decision making."

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Our dedicated team members make lending easy for our clients with sensible and quick decisions."

NMLS #470213

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater has a forward-thinking entrepreneurial spirit combined with common sense banking solutions – what’s not to like?"

Specialty: Professional Services

NMLS #828580

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We’re more than a bank. This is a community and we’re building something special. Our team and clients are proud to be part of this homegrown story."

Specialty: Professional Services

NMLS #888676

What makes Bridgewater unconventional? "The combination of responsiveness and the ability to develop long lasting relationships is what sets Bridgewater apart. We take the person into account."

Specialty: Professional Services and C&I Lending

NMLS #649588

What makes Bridgewater unconventional:

"Bridgewater Bank was built on taking a unique approach to banking. My goal is to 'hit it out of the park' for our clients, think outside-of-the-box, be professional, flexible and creative."

NMLS #1767546

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: “We have both the drive to respond to our clients quickly and the knowledge to be accurate with our response. We work to build lasting relationships with our clients – Bridgewater is about more than just accounts and loans.”

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "We work together at the Bank, we're on the same team moving towards the same goals. It's a really exhilarating thing to be a part of!"

Specialty: Business Services

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater is a trusted partner made up of confident decision-makers, dedicated customer service professionals, and an impressive referral network. We’ll do our very best for you.”

Specialty: Client Services

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater Bank is built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. When you work with us, you are working with banking experts dedicated to providing top-notch service at every interaction."

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater is a special place. We strive to consistently offer the highest echelon of service while developing trusting, long lasting and rewarding relationships with our clients."

Specialty: Client Services

What Makes Bridgewater Unconventional? "As a high-growth company, we have hard-working and dedicated colleagues doing the right things. We are building an extraordinary place with extraordinary people."

Specialty: Business Services

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "At Bridgewater, identifying a challenge isn’t a road block, it’s simply the first step to solving it."

Specialty: Business Services

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "Bridgewater is a bank where we truly care about our customers and employees. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. Working together to build something truly special, that is unlike anything out there."

Specialty: Business Services