John Godfrey Thomson, better known in our community as "Gof", was recently honored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association for his excellence in banking, community service, and civic involvement. A celebration was held on Friday, October 29, 2021, at the WBA headquarters in Madison, where a Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall installation displays a tribute to outstanding current and former bankers. The wall was established in 2020, and five Class of 2021 honorees join the 12 inaugural honorees.

"Gof has made significant contributions to Wisconsin's banking industry and to the economic wellbeing of our state," said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA President and CEO. "Part of what makes him an exceptional leader is that he has inspired others to succeed in their professions and in service to their communities."

Thomson worked for more than 30 years at The Bank of New Glarus, making lifelong connections, and positively impacting Wisconsin's banking industry. He is a graduate of Grinnell College and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a JAG Officer. Gof served on the Board of Directors for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and has been involved with many aspects of the Community Bankers of Wisconsin (CBW) and Wisconsin Bankers Association. He also served as president of CBW from 1993-1994 and was named "Banker of the Year" by CBW in 1999.

In our community, he is active with the New Glarus Lions, the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, the Wilhelm Tell Play, and Green County Development. He has served on the Clean Wisconsin Board for nearly 30 years.

When asked about Gof's contribution to the community, Ron Schaaf, President and CEO of The Bank of New Glarus said, "We're very thankful to Gof for all his years of service to our bank as well as to our community! He certainly is a Leader in Banking Excellence."

The additional honorees in the 2021 Leaders in Banking Excellence Class include Jon Bernander, Bank of Wisconsin Dells; Robert Gorsuch, Oak Bank, Fitchburg; Mary L. Staudenmaier, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNBT), Marinette; and Merlin E. Zitzner, Baraboo State Bank.

To read the bios of each of the 2021 Leaders in Banking Excellence honorees, please visit http://www.wisbank.com/excellence2021.

The Bank of New Glarus is headquartered in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and has branch offices located in New Glarus, Belleville, Monroe, Juda and Brodhead, with a loan production office located in Madison. As the largest deposit bank in Green County, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its customers including personal banking, business banking and wealth management. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) was founded in 1892 and is the state's largest financial industry trade association, representing more than 200 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and over 21,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and nearly 98 percent of banks in the state are WBA members.