Port Washington State Bank has announced the appointment of James S. Schowalter to the position of president and chief operating officer. The appointment was approved by the bank’s board of directors at its January meeting.

Schowalter becomes the 5th generation of his family to lead the bank, succeeding his father Steven who held the position for the past 30 years. Steven Schowalter will remain executive chairman and CEO of Port Washington State Bank. James Schowalter, a 2003 Marquette University graduate, is a 17-year banking industry veteran having most recently served as the bank’s senior vice president and chief credit officer. As chief operating officer he will continue to oversee aspects of the bank's operations that were assumed when Mark Schowalter, former EVP/COO retired. James also serves as a member of the bank’s board of directors.

In addition, the board named long time Senior Business lender Joel J. Dykstra to the position of senior vice-president-chief credit officer. “We are very proud to see Joel move up to this position and I know he will continue our long and rich tradition of excellent customer service and strong support of our clients," said James Schowalter. In his position, Dykstra will oversee the bank’s entire lending operations inclusive of commercial lending, mortgage lending and consumer lending. Dykstra, a 2000 graduate of Concordia University has 18 years of community banking experience.