Gewecke joins bank

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
Gillette native Eric Gewecke started at Pinnacle Bank as its new loan officer in spring of this year. 
Gewecke graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business. A longtime rodeo competitor with previous experience working on ranches, Gewecke said he wanted to stay in a field related to agriculture. Working at Pinnacle Bank as a loan officer in a ranching community seemed like a perfect fit. 
“It kind of feels right at home in Newcastle,” Gewecke said. 
Some of Gewecke’s former work experience includes his employment at Wood Group in Gillette, where he worked as a field technician and maintained methane wells. He also helped at a ranch in Wheatland. 
“I’ve been involved in agriculture my whole life. I knew since I was a kid I wanted to spend my life with horses and cattle,” Gewecke said. 
The son of Craig and Donna Gewecke, Eric started rodeoing as a youngster in events that included team roping and bronc riding. He was on the Sheridan College and University of Wyoming rodeo teams. He was a five-time qualifier for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Mountain States Circuit Finals and six-time qualifier for the Northwest Ranch Cowboy Association Rodeo Finals. He was named NRCA All Around Cowboy in 2013 and 2014. 
“Once I started really rodeoing hard, it just stuck with me and made me want to win more and more,” Gewecke said, noting how it was also a “humbling” experience. 
Gewecke said he has enjoyed Newcastle so far, and the people have been very welcoming. He’s excited to continue getting to know the community and to help people through his work as a loan officer. 
“I really like the people here,” Gewecke said. 
Justin Tystad, market president at the bank, said that Gewecke brings a lot to the Pinnacle Bank team, from his notable work ethic to his purposeful integration into the community. Tystad said that Gewecke has already become extremely involved in Newcastle. He is the president of the Weston County Mini Rough Stock Rodeo, and he also supported this year’s county fair, according to Tystad. 
“He (Gewecke) believes in doing whatever he can to make this community better, which fits so well with Pinnacle Bank’s philosophy,” Tystad said.