Bremer Financial Corporation is adding two new board members who bring strong backgrounds in banking, information technology, finance, branding and marketing.
Wendy Schoppert is the former Chief Financial Officer of Select Comfort Corporation. She currently serves on the boards of Big Lots, Inc., Gaia, Inc., and Nina Hale, Inc. Schoppert held several leadership positions at U.S. Bank, America West Airlines, Northwest Airlines and American Airlines prior to joining Select Comfort. In addition to finance, Schoppert’s past management experience includes roles in information services, marketing, digital and international. Schoppert is a Governance Fellow with the National Association for Corporate Directors, and she co-chairs the Minnesota Chapter of Women Corporate Directors Foundation. She earned her MBA in Finance and General Management and BA in Mathematics and Operations Research, both from Cornell University, where she is Vice Chair of the President’s Council of Cornell Women.
Kevin Rhein has 37 years of financial services experience and is the retired Chief Information Officer for Wells Fargo. Prior to serving as CIO, Rhein managed several consumer lending and payment services businesses at Wells Fargo. His banking career spanned sales and marketing, general banking management and executive management. He also has experience working closely with board audit and risk committees. Rhein previously served on the boards of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the Center for Financial Services Innovation, First Children’s Finance and the United Negro College Fund. A graduate of the University of Chicago, he earned his MBA in Business Administration and Management and a BA in Psychology from the University of Illinois.
"The board of directors is excited to have these accomplished leaders join us," said Ron James, Bremer Financial Corporation board chair. "While we are excited about the skills and experiences that Wendy and Kevin bring, equally important is their fit with Bremer's culture and its values. They will increase our capacity to fulfill our governance responsibilities as Bremer navigates increasing market, technological, competitive and regulatory complexities in building and growing our business."