Beaver Grad Lauded at Iowa State Fair
Rodd Holtkamp, of Primghar, earns “Iowan of the Day”
Buena Vista University graduate Rodd Holtkamp, of Primghar, was honored as the “Iowan of the Day” on Aug. 15 at the Iowa State Fair. The honor was presented by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products.
A Senior Vice President and Trust Officer at Savings Bank in Primghar, Rodd was cited for his extensive community involvement, traits that have made he and wife Gwen (McShannon) Holtkamp, invaluable members of the Primghar community and O’Brien County. Gwen was a classmate of Rodd’s at Buena Vista University as both are members of the Class of 1979.
“It was all very humbling, really the red-carpet treatment. As I look back, it’s been an honor to work so closely with the people at our bank and within our communities. I’m grateful for all the support people have given to me.”
-Rodd Holtkamp, 1979 BVU graduate
Rodd’s involvement in Primghar includes, but is not limited to:
• Volunteer with the Mercy One Hospital Foundation for 20 years;
• Chaired the Finance arm for the EMS Building Construction Committee;
• Member of the Primghar Advancement Corporation Board, the O’Brien County Economic; Development Board, and the Community Agency Board; and
• Active in music and ministries at Grace Lutheran Church.
The couple worked and taught in Council Bluffs for 10 years following their graduation from BVU. At that time, Rodd and Gwen focused on the northwest corner of Iowa and pledged to return to be closer to extended family as Rodd grew up in Hawarden, while Gwen is a native of Little Rock.
“There was an opening at Savings Bank in Primghar at the time,” Rodd says. “There was also an opening for Gwen to continue her teaching career. We came to Primghar, and soon found out how easy it was to become involved in a variety of community efforts. It’s been such a great place for us and our family.”
The couple have two children and four grandchildren.
Rodd, who participated in choir and track and field at Buena Vista, played basketball for one season and then, in part because of an injury, served as team manager for the men’s basketball team for 3.5 years. His experiences with Beaver basketball allowed him to travel to every corner of Iowa and to Florida. He and Gwen also had the good fortune of traveling to Europe with fellow BVU students for a two-week period.
Rodd majored in business while completing minors in psychology and sociology. He added post-graduate finance and ag-finance courses through the American Bankers Association and the Iowa Bankers Association.
Savings Bank at Primghar had eight employees serving customers from one site in 1989. The bank now has branches in Primghar, Hartley, and Lake Park, while boasting 23 employees. In his time with Savings Bank, he’s seen the business grow from just under $10 million in assets to more than $250 million today.
“We’ve had great leadership and ownership with Gerald Leng and the Leng family,” he says. “None of this growth would happen without our dedicated employees and such loyal customers who support us within our communities.”
In 2017, Rodd was inducted into the O’Brien County “Value-Added” Ag Hall of Fame for his agribusiness service to residents of O’Brien County.
As “Iowan of the Day,” Rodd was recognized with the presentation at the Anne & Bill Riley stage. Along with a stay at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, he and Gwen received grandstand concert tickets, free admission to the Iowa State Fair, VIP parking, a cash prize, an interview on KCCI TV, and more.
“It was all very humbling, really the red-carpet treatment,” he says. “As I look back, it’s been an honor to work so closely with the people at our bank and within our communities. I’m grateful for all the support people have given to me.”
Founded in 1997, the “Iowan of the Day” program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa’s outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowans across the state who have made a difference in the lives of others while upholding characteristics associated with Iowa: dependability, integrity, hard work, and sense of community.