THE RIGHT PARTNER FOR YOUR ENERGY BUSINESS
Whether you’re in a traditional energy sector like coal or oil, or an emerging renewable energy industry like solar or wind, Horicon Bank offers the local expertise and banking solutions you need to start and grow your business. From financing for investments in new technology, equipment, or real estate, to deposit accounts and cash management services, we can help you grow your business in one of the fastest-growing industries in Wisconsin.
We support a variety of businesses in the energy sector, including:
- Wind
- Hydro-Electric
- Solar
- Oil & Gas
When you partner with Horicon Bank, we partner your energy business with an experienced commercial banker who can suggest financial products designed to grow your business. Start a conversation with a member of our business banking team today to learn how we can help.
Banking Services for the Energy Sector
Choose from a variety of business checking accounts, business savings and money market accounts, business loans, and business credit cards. We also offer Treasury and Commercial Payment Solutions, as well as online banking for businesses.
No matter what type of retail or energy business you have, Horicon Bank has tailored banking solutions to help you grow. Whether you're a new business that's just breaking into your industry in Wisconsin, or you are a staple of your community, Horicon Bank will work with you to address your long-term banking needs. From renewable energy to distributed generation, control technologies, energy storage, and more, our business bankers are here to provide personalized attention and customized solutions.
Meet Your Business Bankers
Meet Matt Berg
Business Banker, Assistant Vice President
In his role as a Business Banker, Matt assists clients with a variety of services and products to achieve their goals and make their lives more secure. He takes pride in caring for the needs of his customers and says “there is nothing better than helping individuals, businesses and your community grow and succeed.” Matt earned his Finance degree at the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse and previously worked in commercial underwriting.
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Some Fun Info About Matt
Experience
Matt has 2 years of experience in the banking industry. He started with Horicon Bank in 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Matt serves on the Finance Committee for the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not helping local business owners grow their business, Matt is cheering for all things Wisconsin. He describes himself as a “Wisconsin sports fanatic” and enjoys watching the Packers, Badgers, Brewers and Bucks.
Meet Helcia U. Bierman
Business Development Officer, Vice President
NMLS ID: 473949Apply for a Mortgage with Helcia U. Bierman
Helcia works directly with customers on financing their home purchases, investment properties and small businesses. She is passionate about her community and has had the privilege to build many long-term relationships with customers in her community. She says it’s exciting to work together with second- and third-generation customers to help fulfill both their personal and business needs. Helcia’s education started with the University of Wisconsin, after which she further pursued classes in finance, mortgage, real estate and economic development education.
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Some Fun Info About Helcia
Experience
Helcia has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been with Horicon Bank since 2014.
Expertise
Mortgage Lending | Investment Property Lending | Small Business Lending
Extracurriculars
Helcia is a member of the Thrasher Opera House Board of Directors and actively volunteers for the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation and Green Lake community. Helcia enjoys boating on Green Lake, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Meet Gale M. Brandsma
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Gale is dedicated to helping businesses grow and thrive by aligning their unique needs with tailored financial solutions. With a passion for building long-term relationships, she delivers exceptional customer service and responsiveness, supporting clients through every stage of their business journey. Gale takes pride in being a trusted partner, offering guidance and care from startup to expansion. She is inspired by the meaningful impact Horicon Bank makes in the lives of individuals, businesses, and communities. As Gale puts it, “My focus is to really understand my clients’ financial objectives and be the trusted resource to assist them in attaining those objectives. Here at Horicon Bank, we are an institution that values and is dedicated to our communities, striving to make lives better and more secure for all of the individuals, businesses and organizations that reside there.” Gale is a graduate of UW-Platteville and has earned diplomas in mortgage lending, banking and finance, commercial lending, and general banking from the Center for Financial Training. She is also a proud graduate of the Graduate School of Banking through UW-Madison, further strengthening her foundation in financial services.
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Some Fun Info About Gale
Experience
Gale has more than 28 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been with Horicon Bank since 1997.
Expertise
Mortgage Lending | Consumer Lending
Extracurriculars
Gale loves all Wisconsin sports! When she’s not helping customers with their mortgages, she’s spending her time cheering on the Packers, Brewers and Bucks!
Meet Jon Clark
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Jon works with commercial, small business, and agricultural customers to develop and grow their businesses. He builds relationships with his customers by introducing helpful products and providing assistance with those products to help businesses succeed. He enjoys seeing the pride customers take in their businesses. As a commercial lender, Jon takes a similar pride in the role Horicon Bank plays, impacting communities through business development. Jon attended Marian University in Fond du Lac. He has experience in both agricultural and commercial lending and previously served as a Chief Credit Officer before joining Horicon Bank.
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Some Fun Info About Jon
Experience
Jon has more than 19 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Agricultural Lending | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Jon is a volunteer with Celebrate Waupun, the Alto Fair, and Green Lake County Meal Sight. He serves as Treasurer of the Waupun Festivals Board and is a board member for Markesan District Schools. Jon enjoys the outdoors and spends time each fall in South Dakota. One of his favorite pastimes is watching his children participate in extracurricular activities for school.
Meet Michele Conrad
Business Banker, Assistant Vice President
As a Business Banker, Michele develops strong business relationships with customers. She works with each customer to understand their needs and determine the best financial decision(s) to fit their situation and reasonable steps to achieve them. She enjoys working closely with her customers to determine the best fit for her customers. She likes being a community banker that can give them her personalized care every time. She is an accountant by trade which benefits her customers when analyzing their financial needs.
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Some Fun Info About Michele
Experience
Michele has more than 7 years of experience in the banking industry.
Expertise
Business Loans | Commercial and Industrial Loans | SBA 504 Loans
Extracurriculars
Michele enjoys participating in any volunteer opportunities she can. She was on the Board of Directors for the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry where she was their IT Administrator. She also enjoys volunteering at Mel's Charities events.
Meet Tim Dillie
Business Banker, Vice President
Tim enjoys helping businesses achieve optimal success and growth by providing superior customer service. Tim says he enjoys the relationships he forms with customers and that “no matter the type of business, I want to do whatever I can to help them succeed using a variety of products and services.” Tim grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and has worked in the agricultural sector his entire career in a variety of capacities. He understands all aspects of agriculture and specializes in agricultural lending with Horicon Bank.
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Some Fun Info About Tim
Experience
Tim has more than 12 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Agricultural Lending | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Tim is actively involved in local youth sports. He has been the assistant varsity football coach at Markesan High School for 16 seasons and coaches Markesan youth baseball in the summer. Tim also volunteers for the Green Lake County Meals on Wheels program.
Meet Mike Fleischman
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
In the simplest terms, Mike says, “I am a community banker. During the pandemic, I would read how community bankers have ‘stepped up’ to help when needed, but the truth is, I didn’t step up. It is just what I do, what I have done and what I will always do for my community. It isn’t new…I live here, I work here, and these business owners are my neighbors and my friends. I want them to succeed, and I will do everything I can to make sure they are given every opportunity to do so.” Mike believes community bankers are volunteers and leaders in their communities, and he embraces this responsibility each and every day. Mike is a graduate of UW-Whitewater, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.
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Some Fun Info About Mike
Experience
Mike has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2010.
Expertise
Small Business Banking | Small Business Loans | Meeting the Needs of Customers through Creative Solutions
Extracurriculars
Mike volunteers as a board member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Washington County, and he is the past president, chair of the Golf Marathon and Golf Fore Kids’ Sake fundraising events, and a member of the Finance and Budget Committee. He is also a member of the West Bend Police and Fire Commission, West Bend Sunrise Rotary and Rotary Foundation Board (secretary). Mike’s favorite day of the week is Monday.
Meet Dave Kruck
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Dave enjoys building strong relationships with his customers. His goal is to become a trusted advisor in the business’s growth to help solve business owner’s problems on their road to success. Dave says he values the personalized touch, community support and local decision making the business banking team offers customers at Horicon Bank. Dave earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from UW-Stevens Point.
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Some Fun Info About Dave
Experience
Dave has more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2016.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Dave serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for Evergreen Retirement Community. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Bankers Associations Government Relations Committee. Dave is an avid outdoorsman. When he’s not fishing or hunting, he’s cheering on the Green Bay Packers as a season ticket holder.
Meet Jeff Liddicoat
Business Banking, Senior Vice President
Jeff is passionate about to the growth and success of local businesses and individuals. By putting together all the tools necessary, Jeff supports business owners by financing ideas, networking and connecting customers to experience within the area to help them succeed. Jeff earned his business degree from UW-Eau Claire.
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Some Fun Info About Jeff
Experience
Jeff has more than 36 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2001.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Jeff serves on the Board of Directors for Envision Greater Fond du Lac and the Greater Oshkosh Economic Corporation. He is a trustee on the UW-Eau Claire Foundation Board. When he’s not helping business customers, Jeff enjoys road biking the various bicycle paths around Wisconsin. His favorite place to bike is Sparta Trail in western Wisconsin.
Meet Craig Much
Business Banker, Vice President
Craig is passionate about helping businesses and their owners succeed, grow and thrive. He helps individuals achieve a more secure future by providing a wide range of products and services to address their needs and goals. Craig earned his finance degree at UW-Whitewater and has a unique background in the financial sector that allows him to relate to the concerns and needs while growing businesses.
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Some Fun Info About Craig
Experience
Craig has more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Craig volunteers with the United Way, Envision Greater Fond du Lac, the Waupun Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of Fond du Lac. Craig was named the 2021 Volunteer of the Year by Envision Greater Fond du Lac. He was also once an examiner with the State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Meet Terry OConnor
Chief Lending Officer, Executive Vice President
Terry is passionate about helping commercial business customers and agricultural loan customers with their financing needs. From operating lines of credit and equipment term loans, to real estate construction/term loans, he has the knowledge and experience to find the right fit for business owners. Terry wants to help clients succeed financially. He enjoys reviewing customers’ financial statements and structuring a plan that helps them grow their business, build equity and achieve their goals. Terry graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in agricultural business management/ag finance.
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Some Fun Info About Terry
Experience
Terry has more than 37 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 1998.
Expertise
Agricultural Loans | Commercial C&I Loans | Commercial Real Estate Loans | Helping Clients Analyze Their Financial Statements and Structure Loans to Meet Short- and Long-term Goals
Extracurriculars
Terry currently serves as a board member for The Gathering Source Food Pantry. Terry also served as a board member for the YMCA of Dodge County, Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Dodge County United Way, Randolph Christian School, Columbia County Dairy Promotion Committee and others. Terry enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in Bible studies, biking, swimming, hiking, camping and most outdoor activities.
Meet Rick Schabo
Business Banker, Market President
Rick enjoys working with companies and the individuals who own them to provide solutions for all their financing, cash management and deposit account needs. Rick is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire’s Business School and has close to 30 years of experience working with a variety of industries. He is always looking forward to establishing new business relationships and to assist in their success. “Every business needs a trusted Banker, accountant and attorney. I find it very rewarding to be that banking partner that can be trusted and relied on through the many phases that a business will go through. I strive to establish a good relationship with the company and the individuals who own and work for the company.”
Contact
Some Fun Info About Rick
Experience
Rick has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2016.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Manufacturing Industry | Medical Industry | Service Industry | Individual Contractors | Real Estate Investment
Extracurriculars
Rick is a board member for the Fox West YMCA, serves on the YMCA Finance Committee and is a member of the Appleton Rotary Club. Rick loves the outdoors. He enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, summers in Door County, and spending time with his wife and two children. He also coached basketball for more than 15 years.
Meet Alexandra Solanki
Business Banker, Vice President
Alex enjoys working with business owners to provide solutions for their specific financing needs. Whether she is helping a business that is just starting out or a business that is making plans to expand, Alex hopes to be a trusted partner in helping local business succeed in her community. Alex earned her Undergraduate degree in Economics from Harvard University and her Master’s degree in International Relations/Finance from Johns Hopkins University. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Alexandra
Experience
Alex has more than 3 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been with Horicon Bank since 2021.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Alex volunteers as a Sunday School teacher at her church in Wauwatosa, WI. She enjoys cheering on all Wisconsin’s great sports teams and is learning Japanese.
Meet Michael Stover
Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Lender
Michael is the lead of our Commercial Real Estate lending division with a special focus on investment and development properties. He brings over 19 years of financial experience to Horicon Bank. Michael’s favorite part of his position is advising clients on their investment goals. Michael graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Michael
Experience
Michael has more than 12 years of banking experience and has been at Horicon Bank since 2022.
Expertise
Investment and Development Properties in the Multifamily | Industrial | Retail and Office Sectors
Extracurriculars
Michael enjoys giving back to his community. He is a Board Member and Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing with his family and competing in cycling and triathlon events. In 2021, he completed his first Ironman!
Meet Erik Waisanen
Business Development Officer
Erik focuses on identifying new opportunities, deepening customer relationships, and delivering tailored banking solutions that meet the unique financial needs of individuals and businesses. He enjoys the personal relationships with customers, he says “there is no better feeling than being part of the customers’ success stories and playing a small part in watching them grow, while supporting the local community.” Erik attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he was a member of the UW Football team and a Rose Bowl Champion. He co-created the Jump Around Tradition and received an Emmy Award for the ESPN Documentary "The Origin of 'Jump Around."
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Erik
Experience
Erik has over 25 years of experience in sales, operations, and strategic business development across Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Expertise
Customer Service | Finding Creative Solutions | Strategic Planning | Teamwork
Extracurriculars
Erik enjoys giving back to his community. He is actively involved with Junior Blue Dukes Football as a coach and is a member of the National W Club. In his spare time, Erik is a devoted father to two of the most “untwin twins”—one who participates in volleyball and the other who is passionate about theater and singing. Erik and his wife thoroughly enjoy watching their children in all their activities.
Meet John Zanghi
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
As a commercial and agricultural lender, John has experience in developing, managing, and expanding a loan portfolio of credit and related services. He has a passion for providing customer loyalty and works with small and intermediate-size family businesses to large family companies. John says he enjoys helping business owners’ dreams come to life. “Every day I am amazed by the ingenuity of individuals — the taking of an idea and turning it into reality. Sometimes those ideas will require financial capital to get it off the ground or help propel it to the next level. If I can help an individual or company meet their financial needs through the use of financial products and services, then I have accomplished my goal.” John earned an AAS in animal science from Alfred State College and a Bachelor of Science in animal science and agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has completed one year of Graduate School of Banking.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About John
Experience
John has more than 33 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2012.
Expertise
Commercial Loans | Agricultural Lending | Dairy, Beef and Grain Industries
Extracurriculars
John serves as the President of the Pregnancy Support Center of Dodge County, Treasurer of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce and volunteers as a Youth Group Leader. John loves woodworking, working with ceramic tile and landscaping. He is a Certified Flight Instructor through the FAA and an Eagle Scout through Boy Scouts of America. He used to judge dairy cattle and his hometown is Dunkirk, NY.
Meet Chad Zimborski
Business Banker, Vice President
Chad enjoys building relationships by learning about local businesses and their needs. He provides value by finding financial solutions to help business owners achieve their goals. Chad graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in Business and receiving his MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.
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Some Fun Info About Chad
Experience
Chad has more than 13 years of experience in the banking industry.
Expertise
Business Loans | Credit | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Chad enjoys giving back to his community and is actively involved with the local Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He also loves spending time outdoors. You’ll find him hiking, hunting or fishing!
Meet Chris Zirbes
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Chris is a part of our Commercial Lending division and works with small family-owned businesses. Chris enjoys building relationships with business owners by getting out and understanding what they do to better help and improve their business. He provides them with the best customer service – fast responses to their requests to help get the answers they need. Chris graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a degree in Finance. He also graduated from University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Graduate School of Banking.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Chris
Experience
Chris has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry.
Expertise
Customer Service | Commercial Lending | Manufacturing Companies