Small Business Lending Partnerships for North Dakota, Western Minnesota, and Montana
Small business is built by the work of exceptional people, superior products and services, and a passion for creating something that is bigger than any single person. Sometimes, all it takes is a partner to provide the financial resources, needed to fuel the machine with necessary capital.
Dakota Business Lending knows each machine, or each small business, is different. YOUR small business has a unique story, which is why we aim to tailor loans that are the perfect fit for YOUR business.
Regardless of the type of loan you need, we are excited to get to know YOU. We consider it a privilege to gain an understanding of your opportunities and challenges and provide you with the boost you need to be successful.
Putting a small business plan into action often requires long hours, late nights, and a brand of sacrifice that is specially coded into the DNA of entrepreneurs.
We believe that business lending is not just about lending money to business owners. It’s about taking your dream, your hard work, and your sacrifice, and infusing it with the financial resources that help you soar to new heights.
Meet the Dakota Business Lending Team
Behind the scenes, we have a dynamic team committed to our mission. When you are looking for a progressive and creative partner for small business financing needs, look no further. We are here to help!
Steve Dusek
President & CEO
Steve eats, sleeps and breathes small business financing! He has been at the helm of Dakota Business Lending since 2010 after leading Prairieland CDC in Minnesota for 15 years. Knowledge of lending programs and strategy are definitely his forte. Steve uses this experience for the betterment of the entire industry by serving on the National…
Tamara VanWechel
Sr. Credit & Portfolio Officer
Tamara loves the numbers. Her background is in credit analysis and loan packaging. She brought over 8 years of credit experience to Dakota Business Lending when she joined in 2016. She embraces collaboration and enjoys the challenge of fitting all the pieces of the financial puzzle together in a way that works for the borrowers.…
Roxi Pfliiger
VP/Sr. Business Development Officer
Roxi brings a non-lending past to her commercial lending role, but what that means to Dakota Business Lending is a broad range of experience that helps her see things uniquely from the borrowers’ points of view. Roxi heralds over 25 years of business management experience in retail, telecommunications and manufacturing industries. She joined Dakota Business…
Emily Schroeder
Business Development/ Commercial Loan Officer
Curiosity runs through Emily’s veins. She loves to work with people and help them solve problems in new ways. Prior to joining Dakota Business Lending in 2015, she worked in banking and loan servicing, in a business & technology incubator, in philanthropy and grant making as well as advertising sales. These experiences all fed her…
Samantha Horab
Loan Processing Specialist
Oh, the stories Samantha could tell! With a degree in broadcast journalism, the contrast to being in small business financing seems a bit unusual. Truth be told, she happened into the banking industry during college and found her passion for working with lending. So, she stayed the course. Eight years later, in 2016, Samantha joined…
Preston Braathen
Business Development/ Commercial Loan Officer
Preston is a mover and shaker. After returning to his home state of North Dakota to attend college, Preston was introduced to the banking and lending industry and has never looked back. He has continually worked to increase his knowledge and build relationships to help others. With experience in banking, lending, customer service, and commercial…
Erin Hemberger
Office Manager
Erin is our office go-to-girl. She has a business degree coupled with experience in a wide variety of roles from customer service to manager. She is the master orchestrator of all day-to-day office functions and needs as well as the director of first impressions for visitors and callers. She wears many hats and can be…
Katie Anderson
Loan Closing Specialist
Helping people runs through Katie’s blood. She joined the team in 2017 with 20 years of experience in the banking and credit union world. During that time, she has worn many hats, but most of the time has been working with loans. She was attracted to Dakota Business Lending because it is our mission to…
Kaitlyn Wiebusch
Marketing Specialist
Kaitlyn is a recent graduate of the University of Mary with a degree in marketing. She helps with all things marketing primarily focusing on marketing projects, small business success stories and social media activities. But it doesn’t stop there, with the knowledge has gained through her education and experience, she is constantly taking on more…
Christie Williams
Business Development/ Commercial Loan Officer
Christie’s thrives on the success of those around her. She joined the team as a Commercial Loan Officer in 2012 for three years until moving back to her home state of Montana in 2015. Just three years later, Christie was welcomed back to the Dakota Business Lending team as a Commercial Loan Officer in order…
Meet the Board of Directors
Dakota Business Lending has established itself as a lending partner for small businesses thanks to the wisdom, leadership, and guidance of our Board of Directors. We are proud to have decision-makers in our corner that combine for centuries worth of expertise in the areas of business, finance, economic development and public service.
Mike Connor
First Elected - 2002
Having worked in retail merchandising management, credit and collections, banking, and with government agencies, Mike has served on the boards of various local, state, and regional organizations. He is currently on the board for Senior Meals & Services, North Central Regional Planning Council, Sons of Jacob Community Committee, and the Devils Lake Area Foundation.
John Phillips
First Elected - 2008
With almost 30 years in housing and city planning, John is currently retired and is active with many organizations including the Beulah JFA, Mercer Economic Development, Coal Conversion Counties, ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties, Lignite Energy Research Council, the ND Chamber of Commerce, and church council.
Lori Gabriel
First Elected - 2012
Lori has experience with loan workout situations, and she has worked with both agricultural and commercial lending clients. Lori understands the value of economic development programs for the benefit of small business owners and community improvement.
Andy Maragos
First Elected - 2013
With 50 years of business ownership experience, Andy has served in roles with the Travel Connection Center and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and was recognized for outstanding service by this organization. Andy is currently on the board for Prairie Public Broadcasting and the Consensus Council, and has been in the North Dakota legislature for over 20 years.
Rich Becker
First Elected - 2014
With over 40 years of marketing and management experience in the oil & gas industry, Rich has served on the boards for, among others, the UND Alumni Association, Prairie Public Broadcasting, The Grand Forks/ East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority, Youth for Christ, and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Board.
Dan Jacobson
First Elected - 2014
Dan has an extensive background in credit management and commercial banking. He has served in leadership roles with various local organizations including the RMA North Central Chapter, Rotary, the American Heart Association, youth hockey, and his church council.
Jim Stai
First Elected - 2015
After 10 years of teaching business at Lake Region Jr. College, Jim joined the U.S Small Business Adminsitration (SBA) and served as the Business Development Specialist, Assistant Director for Business Development, and North Dakota District Director before retirement. He then spent a semester back in the classroom teaching business at the University of North Dakota.
Jim Hambrick
First Elected - 2016
With over 28 years of experience in the banking industry, Jim has focused on relationship management for small to large sized operating businesses. He also serves on the board of directors for NDSU Team Makers and NDSU Alumni Association, and has been involved in local community non-profits such as Red Cross, United Way, and Fraser, Ltd.
Kim Kautzman
First Elected - 2019
Kim has an extensive background in the financial industry. With over 20 years of experience in banking world, Kim has developed a strong passion for promoting economic development. She understands the value of these programs and works to utilize all the financial tools available to help businesses grow and reach their full potential.
Tonya Holmstrom
First Elected - 2019
As a CPA and current partner of Schmitz-Holmstrom, Tonya brings over 15 years of public accounting experience in various industries and business sizes. She also serves on various other boards throughout the state including Greater North Dakota Chamber, the Missouri Family YMCA, and the University of Jamestown Alumni Association.
