Meet Gary Hanson

Gary Hanson is the senior vice president and a director at Heartland Trust Company. He has been an integral part of the growth and success of Heartland Trust over the years. While now enjoying a certain amount of “flex-time,” he continues to be in the office almost every day.

What do you do at Heartland Trust?

Along with ongoing business development responsibilities, I managed the Retirement Services Division at Heartland until 2014. My current responsibilities at HTC include account administration, client relationships, leading the corporate finance team, and serving on the executive committee.      

Tell us about yourself.

I am originally from Crookston, Minnesota, and, except for a two-year break, I have been in the Fargo area since graduating from Moorhead State University in 1972 with an accounting degree. My wife, Ruth, and I live in West Fargo, and our daughter, Rachel Clarke, and family live in north Fargo, while our son, Ben, and family live in south Fargo.     

Heartland Trust Company turns 30 this year, and we’ve accumulated a bit of history as we enter our fourth decade. Each quarterly newsletter this year will have a feature on one of our old locations.

Shortly after Heartland Trust opened its doors for business at the same location as Busy Bubbles Car Wash & Laundromat, it was clear the growing company needed more office space.

Heartland Trust Company turns 30 this year. As we celebrate this milestone, we’ll include a feature on one of our old locations in each quarterly newsletter. 

Steve Halverson, chairman of the board and former president, was approved for a charter by the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions in August 1989 to start an independent trust company. Office space for the upstart trust company was found in the same building as Busy Bubbles Car Wash & Laundromat at 2102 12th Street North in Fargo. Steve’s father, Hans Halverson, owned the building and let Steve use the space for several months while he was getting everything ready. The charter was officially granted on January 18, 1990. Doors officially opened for Heartland Trust Company on January 23, 1990, and as Steve likes to add, “the door didn’t open, and the phone didn’t ring.”

Meet Missy Zarak

Missy is an administrative associate working in the personal trust area. She provides excellent service to clients with trust, agency, and IRA accounts. She has over 30 years of experience in the trust business and has served many clients over the years in various roles.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota, in a large family as one of 12 children. Following graduation at Trinity High School, I finished college at Minnesota State University in Moorhead, Minnesota, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in legal assistant studies. 

I commute every day from Wahpeton, North Dakota, where I live with my husband, Mark. We have four children who are now all adults: Cole, Cody, Carson, and Carleigh. I have been promoted from mother to grandmother status and I’m now called “Ma Ga” by two beautiful granddaughters. Spending time with my growing family is one of my greatest pleasures.

In December, the Heartland Trust team made tie-blankets to donate to the YWCA.

Dropping off blankets at the YWCA (Pictured L to R: Gary Hanson, Jan Nelson, Mary Fridgen, Renee Hobbs, Lori Theis, and Erin Prochnow of the YWCA)

Meet Mary Fridgen.
Mary is the newest member of our team. She is an administrative associate who handles the receptionist duties. She is the energetic voice you’ll probably hear if you call us. We can already tell she’s a great fit for our team.

Tell us about yourself.
I grew up just outside the small town of Wheaton, Minnesota, on my parents’ farm. I have three sisters and one brother who have blessed me with the honor of being an aunt to four nieces and five nephews who are AMAZING. After high school, I moved to Moorhead and attended M State, graduating with an AAS in administrative assisting. I currently live in Fargo with my boyfriend Augi, and I’m so excited to see what this great opportunity at HTC has in store for me.

Brian Halverson, President, seen below with the Association of Trust Organizations (ATO) board of directors at the annual conference in Denver, CO. Halverson was this year’s Chair of the three-day conference that brings together trust industry professionals from around the country and nationally recognized speakers to discuss vital topics, trends, and issue facing the trust industry. Halverson is also an ATO board member and the Chair of its Next Generation Network.

Jill is an Operations Associate at Heartland Trust Company, handling the day-to-day tasks for the Operations team. Her optimistic outlook and upbeat personality make her a great coworker!

Tell us about yourself.

First, I have a confession. I am a terrible cook and the cupcake recipe below is from my mom. There is almost zero chance I could bake them successfully, but I can verify that they are delicious!

I have a daughter who will graduate high school next year, so I have one last year stocked full of school activities. As sad as I am for her to grow up, I can’t wait to see what path she chooses next. I volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation and facilitate a connect group for those with all types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases here in the Fargo-Moorhead area. It is such a rewarding experience to help people and be part of their arthritis journey.

• Paula Stebner (VP, Trust Officer) and Jon Benson (VP, Trust Officer) tended our booth at the Great Plains Land Expo presented by Pifer’s Auction & Realty in June. They discussed how Heartland Trust can assist with land ownership issues. They also met former Minnesota Viking Chad Greenway, who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Picture of Kevin Pifer, Jon Benson, Chad Greenway, and Paula Stebner.

Dustin is the Investment Officer at Heartland Trust Company. He oversees investment research, meets with analysts, and does much of the financial planning for our clients.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a north Fargo native and attended Minnesota State University Moorhead from 2007 to 2011. I guide discussions in our Investment Committee and have a mild obsession with statistics and analytics. Aside from working with clients, a large portion of my role revolves around conducting research and meeting with outside analysts.

What do you like to do in your spare time?