BANK IOWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The men and women working to realize our vision
Meet the Bank Iowa Corporation Board of Directors. This team of people was elected to represent the Bank Iowa shareholders and their best interests.
Paige Duncan
Board Chair
Upon graduating from Northwestern University, Paige Duncan joined the Bank Iowa Corporation board of directors. Duncan has participated in various activities within Bank Iowa including loan reviews, human resource management, investment management and acquisitions. She is the daughter of Bank Iowa co-founder, Robert Duncan.
J.B. Barr
Board Vice-Chair, Physical therapist and adjunct associate professor of Physical Therapy
J.B. Barr currently works as an adjunct associate professor of Physical Therapy at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he has taught physical therapy students since 1998. Barr is the son of Bank Iowa co-founder, Harry Barr.
Robert Duncan
Chairman Emeritus, Duncan Aviation and Bank Iowa co-founder
Robert Duncan, along with his father, Donald Duncan and Harry Barr, co-founded Bank Iowa. Duncan is Chairman Emeritus of Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Duncan Aviation, one of the world’s largest privately-owned business aircraft service organizations, is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, with over 1,400 employees in over 30 cities across the U.S.
Harry Barr
Bank Iowa co-founder
Harry Barr co-founded Bank Iowa with Donald Duncan and his son, Robert Duncan. It was from that entrepreneurial ambition and smart business leadership that one of Iowa’s most successful banks would eventually flourish. That same spirit helps Bank Iowa understand the real needs of today’s businesses, farmers, families and entrepreneurs all across Iowa.
James L. Plagge
President and CEO
Jim Plagge brings over 30 years of financial services industry experience to Bank Iowa, where he serves as President and CEO. Plagge also serves as the Bank Iowa Corporation President and CEO. He has been active in trade and community organizations his entire career.
Thomas C. Dorr
Consultant, Dorr and Associates
Tom Dorr is the president of Thomas C. Dorr & Associates. The firm specializes in the development of food and agricultural trade, both domestic and international, with a specific focus on China. Before returning to Thomas C. Dorr & Associates in July 2012, Dorr served as president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Grains Council. Before joining the Council, Dorr served as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, appointed by President George W. Bush.
Timothy (Tim) E. Minton
CPA/Farmer
Timothy Minton is a certified public accountant and worked for Des Moines-based Principal Life Insurance for 22 years. Minton started his tenure with Principal in the Commercial Real Estate department where he worked from 1988 to 1999. For the next 10 years, Minton underwrote and managed a diversified portfolio of structured investments, including venture capital investments for Principal. Tim retired from Principal in 2009 and is now a full-time farmer in the Adel area.
Dale Heider
Engineer/Farmer
Dale Heider, engineer and co-owner of Jet Company located in Humboldt, Iowa, helped move the product line from wagon and truck boxes into semi grain trailers when he joined the family owned business. Jet Company’s product line now consists of trailers for agricultural use, over the road construction and various niche markets. Jet Company employs over 100 people and their trailers are marketed throughout the U.S.
Michael Wilson
Retired President & CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Michael Wilson is a highly respected and transformational executive. After serving as President and CEO for Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) in two different regions, Wilson’s foundation of success was his ability to drive engagement by creating a respectful, team-oriented, values-driven company culture. Wilson retired from FHLB of Des Moines in 2020 and now serves on Bank Iowa’s Board of Directors as well as the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity board. He continues to advocate for community development and affordable housing.
Meet the Bank Iowa Board of Directors.
Paige Duncan
Board Chair
Upon graduating from Northwestern University, Paige Duncan joined the Bank Iowa Corporation board of directors. Duncan has participated in various activities within Bank Iowa including loan reviews, human resource management, investment management and acquisitions. She is the daughter of Bank Iowa co-founder, Robert Duncan.
J.B. Barr
Board Vice-Chair, Physical therapist and adjunct associate professor of Physical Therapy
J.B. Barr currently works as an adjunct associate professor of Physical Therapy at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he has taught physical therapy students since 1998. Barr is the son of Bank Iowa co-founder, Harry Barr.
James L. Plagge
President and CEO
Jim Plagge brings over 30 years of financial services industry experience to Bank Iowa, where he serves as President and CEO. Plagge also serves as the Bank Iowa Corporation President and CEO. He has been active in trade and community organizations his entire career.
John Hartford
Retired Bank Iowa CFO/Credit Consultant
John Hartford is Bank Iowa’s former chief lending officer and executive vice president. Hartford began his banking career in Humboldt, Iowa, as a senior lender for Humboldt Trust and Savings Bank, which later became Bank Iowa. In 1996, Hartford was named president of Bank Iowa Humboldt, a position he held for more than 16 years. In 2012, he was named chief lending officer/EVP for Bank Iowa and relocated to Des Moines. Hartford held that position until his retirement in 2017. In addition to serving on the Bank Iowa board, he is a member of Bank Iowa’s Senior Credit Committee and works as a part-time credit consultant.
Jann Freed
Leadership Development and Change Management Consultant
Dr. Jann Freed is a leadership development and change management consultant who focuses on helping organizations and individuals get from where they are to where they want to be. Freed has 30 years of teaching and administrative experience at Central College, a midwestern liberal arts college, achieving professor emerita of Business Management and endowed chair in Leadership and Character Development.
Michael Blaser
Attorney, BrownWinick Law Firm Agribusiness Practice Group
Michael Blaser is the co-chair of BrownWinick’s agribusiness practice group and the firm’s strategic planning committee. Throughout Blaser’s career, he has been actively involved in value-added agriculture, particularly in the livestock industry. He also served as general counsel to Iowa Select Farms, advising agricultural clients on laws and regulations that affect their businesses and lobbying Iowa livestock regulation laws. Blaser is a member of the National Pork Producer’s Council Environmental Committee, Finance Council for St. Francis of Assisi Parish and a board member of the Board of Adjustment for the City of West Des Moines.
Matthew Sells
President and CEO, Shenandoah Medical Center
Matt Sells is president and CEO of Shenandoah Medical Center, a large independent critical access hospital in southwest Iowa. He previously served as the CFO of Shenandoah Medical Center, CFO of Brown County Hospital and spent four years at KPMG LLP working in the firm’s audit practice.
Chris Minor
President and CEO, SmartStory™ Technologies
Chris Minor is a Technology and Operations leader who partners with investors and employees to drive strategy and growth for small to mid-size companies. After spending the first part of his career with large billion-dollar enterprises, Minor has been active in investing and leading several start-up SaaS technology companies. By aligning market strategy, product capabilities, employee skills and technology innovation, Minor has been able to bring growth and value to investors.
