Starion Bank elected Andrew Young, a marketing professional and business leader in Fargo, North Dakota, and Georgia Artz, a respected healthcare professional and community volunteer from Bottineau, North Dakota, to its Board of Directors.
Originally from Napoleon, North Dakota, Andrew Young maintains a strong bond to the state and its rural communities, making him an ideal addition to Starion’s family-owned legacy. His deep roots in the community mirror the bank's dedication to serving local needs and fostering economic growth, a tradition tracing back to the bank's beginnings in Oakes, North Dakota, when it opened its doors in 1969.
Young is the founder of Abovo, a Fargo-based marketing firm lauded for developing innovative, dynamic campaigns for popular local and national brands. As one of the bank’s younger board members, he offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of financial institutions, as well as marketing dynamics and customer engagement in the digital age. These insights, Young explains, are essential to understand to compete in a changing climate of how consumers interact with the places they shop.
"I'm excited to collaborate with Starion's team and bring a blend of fresh ideas and North Dakota values to the mix," said Young. “I’m grateful for the opportunity t to help the bank continue to innovate and consistently exceed the expectations of our rural and metro customers.”
Young's appointment also enhances the bank's Eastern North Dakota representation on the board. He joins Joan McCusker, Senior Vice President of Risk and Administration at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, as the second Fargo-based board member.
Mike Wickham, Starion Fargo Market President, echoed the sentiment. "We are thrilled to welcome Andrew to our bank’s board of directors. His energy and customer service experience align with Starion’s vision of standing apart as supercommunity bank. As we continue to evolve, Starion Bank his expertise will undoubtedly help us develop new ways to serve our communities even better,” said Wickham.
Young lives in Fargo with his husband, Jeremy, and their daughter, Mari.
Georgia “Gigi” Artz is a retired Registered Nurse from Bottineau, North Dakota. Artz dedicated her career to promoting and improving public health. While serving at Indian Health Service in Belcourt, N.D., she worked in maternal child health, communicable diseases, immunizations, school health, home health and disaster preparedness.
Artz served As Director of Public Health Nursing for Turtle Mt. Reservation from 1993 to 2021, when she retired. During that time, she was appointed chairman of the hospital committee for the dedication of Belcourt’s new hospital, the Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Hospital. She also served as the hospital’s interim CEO for several months in 2007. Artz has also served on a number of state and local committees and boards.
Chuck Neubauer, Market President for Dunseith, Rolla and Bottineau, sees a number of benefits with Artz joining the board. “Georgia is well-known and beloved in the area for her outreach and decades of service. Her knowledge of how to keep our communities healthy and productive is also an invaluable part of their economic development. We’re thrilled to have her aboard.”
“I look forward to serving my community in a new role,” said Artz. “Starion Bank has such a positive, powerful impact on our rural communities. When you look around these small towns that need affordable, reliable healthcare services, you understand where family-owned community banks like Starion can help drive that progress.”
“I look forward to serving my community in a new role,” said Artz. “Starion Bank has such a positive, powerful impact on our rural communities. When you look around these small towns that need affordable, reliable healthcare services, you understand where family-owned community banks like Starion can help drive that progress.”
Don Morgan, Starion Bank CEO, shares enthusiasm about the new appointments. "Andrew's addition is a testament to our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Georgia’s extensive experience in community support strengthens our reach and gives us even more valuable insight into the needs of our rural communities,” said Morgan. “All of us at Starion welcome them aboard and we look forward to their contributions to our growth and success.”
About Starion Bank Starion Bank is a $1.8 billion family-owned community bank and financial services organization. Established in Oakes, N.D., in 1969, Starion has 16 locations in Bismarck-Mandan, Bottineau, Dunseith, Ellendale, Fargo, Oakes and Rolla, N.D.; and Middleton, Monona and Sun Prairie, Wis.
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