BOTTINEAU — James Grosgebauer, vice president and loan officer of the First National Bank & Trust Co. of Bottineau, has announced his retirement, effective July 31.

A Bottineau native, Grosgebauer graduated from North Dakota State University-BB (Dakota College at Bottineau) as well as Minot State College (Minot State University). After graduating from Minot State, Grosgebauer went to work for CIT Financial Services in Minot, where he started his financial training. He then went to Grand Forks as the assistant manager of that office and, ultimately, to the Dickinson branch, where he managed the CIT office.

Grosgebauer began his banking career with First National Bank & Trust Co. of Dickinson in 1979. In 1988, he started with FIrst National Bank & Trust Co. of Bottineau, where he had worked on a part-time basis while a high school student in the early 1970s.

In his 43-year banking career, Grosgebauer has served in numerous roles, including consumer, commercial and residential real estate lending. He served as the bank contact in dealing with credit cards, advertising, savings bonds, wire transfers and is the First National Bank’s security officer.

Grosgebauer has been actively involved in community service throughout his career. Early on, he served on the Military Affairs Committee for the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce. He served a term on the board of directors for the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce.

He served 10 years with the Bottineau Volunteer Ambulance Service. He has been a member of the Bottineau Country Club board of directors, serving multiple years as president. He continues to serve on the DCB’s Career and Technical Advisory Board for advertising/marketing small business. He also presently serves on the governing board of First Baptist Church in Bottineau, where he has been involved in several capacities over the years.