Kase
Retires As Bank’s Legal Counsel
Sturgeon Bay, WI— After serving nearly thirty years as
Baylake Bank’s General Counsel, Stephen A. Kase will be retiring effective April
13, 2007.
Kase joined Baylake Bank in 1980 as sole legal counsel for the then $80 million
asset financial institution. In his tenure with Baylake Bank, the bank grew from
$101 million to over $1 billion in total assets. During this time of growth and
expansion, Kase became involved and assisted other management with adherence to
federal & state banking law and securities reporting, and he was involved with
mergers and acquisitions as well as internal corporate compliance and bank-wide
litigation.
“I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to experience a variety of changes in the
banking industry together with Baylake Bank. My experience with the company, my
coworkers, and customers has truly been rewarding,” Kase said.
Professionally, Kase has served the legal and banking community in a variety of
committee and advisory positions with the Wisconsin Bar, Wisconsin Bankers
Association, and the American Bankers Association. He has testified before
Congress on banking legislation and was Chairperson of the 1998 ABA National
Compliance Conference in Washington, D.C.
Outside his professional career, Kase served in the US Navy, serving 22 years of
active and reserve duty, including a combat tour in Viet Nam and retiring in
1992 at the rank of Commander. He has also been involved in leadership positions
with many community organizations throughout his career, including Red Cross,
United Way, Legal Aid Society, Volunteer Center of
Door County, Sturgeon Bay Education Foundation, and Student Scholarship
organizations.
“Steve has been a vital part of our company as well as the Door County
community. He has always approached challenges and assignments with expertise
and vigor, and yet has time to give back to the community,” said Dan Maggle,
Senior Vice President of Administration.
Kase expects to pursue other career interests that will allow more free time,
but commented, “I’m really proud of my contribution to Baylake over the years.
Although I am retiring as General Counsel, I hope to keep in close touch as
Baylake continues to grow.”
