At Minnwest Bank, community banking is more than just a service we provide, it's a commitment lived out by the people who show up for their neighbors every day. Across our footprint, you’ll find employees whose paths into banking are as varied as the communities they serve. What unites them is a shared belief that community banking is personal, purposeful work.
Today, we’re spotlighting five employees who embody that mission through their careers, and the ways they invest their time and energy back into the places they call home.
Derek Boeve is an SVP/Senior Business Banker in Eagan, MN, whose path into community banking started early. Derek grew up around the industry via his father, a community banker, and saw firsthand how essential bankers are to the success of a small town. From helping businesses grow to supporting local organizations, he recognized the impact a bank can have on the people it serves. “Community banking is more than just being a banker. You are a partner in the customer’s goals and building long lasting relationships,” Boeve says.
That perspective shapes how Derek approaches his work today. To him, community banking is about more than transactions. It’s about being reachable, available, and invested in the long‑term success of every customer. When customers thrive, the entire community thrives.
Outside the office, Derek stays deeply involved in the place he calls home, making giving back a priority in his life. He coaches his kids’ youth sports teams and volunteers his time on several boards, including his church, the DCR Chamber, Eagan Community Foundation, 360 Communities, and TCM.
Neal Everson is a Market President out of Slayton, MN. Neal’s path into community banking started on a diversified farm near Hayti, SD, where he learned early what it meant to be part of a rural community. After majoring in Ag Business at SDSU, he began his career in ag lending with FmHA.
That experience and his love for meeting people in agriculture made the transition to community banking with Minnwest in 1993 a natural fit. “Growing up in a small, rural community gave me a sense of purpose for contributing to the area in which I live and work,” he says. “Minnwest has always been very supportive and encouraging to the employees of the bank to be active in our communities.”
For Neal, community banking is rooted in responsibility and partnership. “We’re entrusted with the deposits in our community and use those funds to support the local people, groups, and organizations that make our communities special.”
Neal’s commitment to community extends far beyond the bank. He currently serves with the Kiwanis Club of Slayton, Hospice of Murray County, and the City of Slayton EDA. He’s also spent many years coaching youth basketball and flag football.
Melissa Olson is a Mortgage Banker in St. Cloud, MN, whose path into community banking began after years spent homeschooling her four daughters. When she stepped back into the workforce, she was looking for an environment that felt safe, supported, and aligned with the values that mattered most to her. She found that in community banking. “It provided a workplace rooted in trust, patience, and genuine human connection,” Olson says. It also gave her space to grow at her own pace while using the strengths she developed at home: organization, communication, empathy, and resilience. “Community banking strengthens the place we call home by helping build safer, more connected neighborhoods,” she says.
That foundation shapes the way Melissa serves customers today. Because she lives and works in the same community, the work feels deeply personal. “The people I serve are my neighbors, teachers, the small businesses I shop at, and the families I see at ballgames and grocery stores,” she says. “That makes the work personal.”
Melissa’s commitment to community extends far beyond the bank. She’s actively involved in the Lions Club, the Owatonna Business Women’s Group, the Waseca Chamber, and the St. Cloud and Waite Park Chambers. She serves on the Board of Directors for Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity and volunteers with the Indy Foundation, local food shelf initiatives, and several gala committees that raise funds for important causes.
Right now, she’s also competing in Steele County Dancing with the Stars to support Healthy Seniors of Owatonna, an organization she’s proud to champion.
Ashley Peters is an Advanced Universal Banker in Tracy, MN, who was drawn to community banking because of its supportive, people-first environment. She found a workplace where growth is encouraged, relationships matter, and the culture feels more like family than a corporation. That foundation shapes the way she shows up for customers; with authenticity, care, and a focus on building real connections.
For Ashley, community banking is rooted in purpose. “Community banks want to see their work directly strengthen local families, help people into homes, and support small businesses,” Peters says.
Outside the bank, Ashley is already making an impact. She recently joined the Tracy Area Chamber of Commerce, a role that allows her to dive deeper into the community, celebrate long-standing local businesses, and welcome new ones with enthusiasm.
Kaylen Weidert is an Insurance Agent with Minnwest Insurance Agency in Tracy, MN. Her path into community banking began when she was looking for a career closer to home. “I transitioned into community banking to find a new career close to home and eliminate a long daily commute,” she says. After five years in the bank, she moved into Minnwest Bank’s Insurance Agency three years ago, in a shift that felt natural for her. “This role has been a perfect fit, as it allows me to leverage my agricultural background and degrees more effectively.”
For Kaylen, community banking is rooted in service and connection. “Community banking means more than just business; it’s about making genuine connections and giving back to the clubs and organizations that keep Tracy thriving,” she says. “When we support the people who support us, we build the lasting relationships that help our small town prosper.”
That commitment extends well beyond the office. Kaylen stays deeply involved in the organizations that shape her county. “I serve as a leader for one of our local 4‑H clubs and am an active member of the Murray County Cattlemen’s Association, where I help with the annual banquet and our new Food Stand during the local fair,” she says. She also volunteers at events for her local Catholic school, supporting the families and students who make up the heart of the community.
Minnwest Insurance Agency, Inc is an affiliate of Minnwest Bank. Products offered through Minnwest Insurance Agency, Inc are: Not a deposit | Not FDIC insured | Not insured by any federal government agency | Not guaranteed by the bank or an affiliate of the bank | May go down in value (if applicable)
Building Strong, Vibrant Communities
Minnwest Bank’s story has always been about people — the doers, dreamers and builders who shape our communities. As a family‑owned bank with deep local roots, we remain committed to long‑term relationships, responsive service and meaningful community investment. Together, we’ll continue building communities where people and businesses can thrive.