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.

A member of the board since 2019, Lisa is president of Salo, a leading staffing and consulting firm for finance, accounting and human resources in Minneapolis and Chicago. She has held this position since 2018. 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.

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

David, a member of the board since 2010, is the Executive Vice President of Dougherty & Company LLC, a full-service investment bank and brokerage firm founded in 1997. He has been with the company since 2002 and is also a member of the Board of Directors of Dougherty Financial Group LLC, President of Dougherty LLC, President of Dougherty Equipment Finance LLC, Chief Executive Officer of Dougherty Real Estate Advisors LLC and President and Chief Operating Officer of Dougherty Mortgage LLC.

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 30 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 appraisal 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. 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.

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, maintaining and communicating simple deposit solutions and creating positive shareholder relationships. In her current role, Mary Jayne is responsible for directing the implementation of all strategic initiatives and overseeing marketing, daily operations, facilities and human resources.

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 30 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 appraisal 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.

As Chief Lending Officer, Nick 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.

As Chief Deposit Officer, Lisa is responsible for driving accountability and results through initiatives that deliver revenue growth, market share, new business opportunities and market penetration. 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.

Mark joined Bridgewater Bank in 2019 as Chief Technology Officer. In his position, Mark is responsible for driving the Bank’s technology strategy by developing innovative, robust, and secure solutions that generate efficiencies across the organization. By leading a dynamic team of IT professionals, Mr. Hokanson 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: "Our number one piece of swag is a magnetic steel bottle opener. If that doesn't say it all I don't know what does. They go like hot cakes!"

Specialty: Construction Lending

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: C&I Lending

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "No inefficiencies. If something isn't working, we look at it from all angles and change it to work better than it ever has."

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: "Flexible and nimble solutions for growth-oriented companies, providing a superior experience in banking."

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

NMLS #446618

What makes Bridgewater unconventional: "A banking partnership that ensures the highest level of dedication and communication to be with you every step of the way."

Specialty: Consumer Lending

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

Specialty: Multifamily Lending

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: Client Services

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 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

Specialty: Business 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 ordinary people."