Meet Our Lenders: Lancaster
JEFF GRUETZMACHER
Executive Vice President
Lancaster
Meet Jeff
SARAH KIRSCHBAUM
Mortgage Banker
Lancaster / Cassville
Meet Sarah
JON REYNOLDS
Assistant Vice President - Loan Officer
Lancaster
Meet Jon
JEFF GRUETZMACHER
Executive Vice President
SARAH KIRSCHBAUM
Mortgage Banker
JON REYNOLDS
Assistant Vice President - Loan Officer
Jeff grew up on his family’s large dairy and beef farm in central Wisconsin. He was a typical business owner’s kid, working in many parts of his family’s farm, real estate, construction, and entertainment businesses.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he moved to Lancaster, where he was a loan officer with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Jeff’s career progressed and he eventually assumed the leadership role for all FSA lending in southern Wisconsin, managing $600 million of agricultural loans. In 2014, he joined Royal Bank as vice president and now serves as a Board member and part of the executive management team, directing overall strategy, banking and lending activities to help the bank be the premier and top choice of everyone in southwest Wisconsin.
Jeff enjoys being part of the business community and thrives on bringing in new customers and making lifelong new relationships and friends. He’s proud that just about everybody that does business with the bank refers to their neighbors, friends, and co-workers. For him, this is the real yardstick of a successful culture and customer satisfaction.
Being an integral part of the community is important to him, and he serves on the board of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce and is a co-treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church. He is also active in leadership roles with industry associations, serving on the national Independent Community Bankers Association’s (ICBA) Rural America and Agriculture Committee and was previously the Chairman of the Wisconsin Bankers Association Agricultural Bankers Board of Directors.
In his free time, Jeff can be found cheering on the Badgers, traveling, working on his business properties and blueberry farm in the area, and keeping up with his wife, twin daughters and their younger sister.
NMLS#: 1230509
Sarah’s community banking roots began in 2000 as a customer service representative and transitioned to loan processing in 2003. She’s been a mortgage lender in southwest Wisconsin since 2010. Over the years, Sarah has developed a strong interest in helping customers achieve success and has a deep understanding of the mortgage lending industry. When you meet Sarah, you will quickly discover her passion for developing relationships and her customer-centric work ethic. Her favorite quote is “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.”
Sarah is active in the community and currently sits on Grant Regional Health Center’s Board of Directors and Foundation Committee. In addition to investing her time into the community she enjoys spending time with her husband, Travis, and their two children, Zayn & Haven on their dairy farm outside of rural Cassville.
NMLS#: 473921
Born and raised on his family’s dairy, beef and grain farm in Potosi, Jon has a deep understanding of the ag business industry. He continued his education at UW-Platteville, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Agribusiness and Animal Science. Jon began his lending career in 2015, specializing in agriculture and commercial/business lending.
As a native of the area, Jon enjoys the opportunity to connect with people he’s known since childhood and welcome new people to the area to help them reach their financial goals. He especially enjoys getting to build relationships and work together with customers to find meaningful solutions and help them succeed and grow. When he’s not busy on the farm or in the office, Jon can be found spending time with his wife and 3 boys (who love to “help” farm), camping and exploring outside.
NMLS#: 1402569
Shania Sake
Having been born and raised in the area, Shania is thrilled to help her family, friends and neighbors reach financial milestones. Shania’s depth of experience in many facets of the bank has provided a firm foundation for her career in lending.
Shania specializes in real estate, commercial, small business and consumer lending. She enjoys being faced with new challenges and the opportunity to build relationships with customers. With a sincere passion for helping others, Shania believes in turning the idea of “I can’t” into “how can I?”
As a native to the area, Shania enjoys giving back through volunteer work with the Hillsboro Fire Department Auxiliary and Labor Day Queen pageant and in helping out at school activities and local events. During her time at UW-Platteville where she earned a degree in Agriculture Business, she was President of the School of Agriculture Council.
When she’s not busy volunteering or helping customers, Shania can be found making crafts and furniture with her husband, Chris, spending time with her two dogs, Scout and Callie and enjoying time outside.
NMLS#1816250
Shania Sake
Having been born and raised in the area, Shania is thrilled to help her family, friends and neighbors reach financial milestones. Shania’s depth of experience in many facets of the bank has provided a firm foundation for her career in lending.
Shania specializes in real estate, commercial, small business and consumer lending. She enjoys being faced with new challenges and the opportunity to build relationships with customers. With a sincere passion for helping others, Shania believes in turning the idea of “I can’t” into “how can I?”
As a native to the area, Shania enjoys giving back through volunteer work with the Hillsboro Fire Department Auxiliary and Labor Day Queen pageant and in helping out at school activities and local events. During her time at UW-Platteville where she earned a degree in Agriculture Business, she was President of the School of Agriculture Council.
When she’s not busy volunteering or helping customers, Shania can be found making crafts and furniture with her husband, Chris, spending time with her two dogs, Scout and Callie and enjoying time outside.
NMLS#1816250