Bravo! Entrepreneur Award winners - 2007: Greg Kolton, Foundations Bank, Pewaukee

Published May 11, 2007

In less than two years, Greg Kolton has taken a startup bank from $0 in assets to $90 million in assets.

Kolton has spent most of his 34-year career in business banking working with owner-managed businesses. Throughout the years, he developed a specialty in serving businesses that make, distribute or build things.

In 2005, Kolton realized his dream by opening Foundations Bank. The bank provides the financial wherewithal and consulting expertise to make a difference in the financial lives of business owners and their employees.

“In any conversation you have with Greg, he will tell you that understanding the customer’s business and financial goals is foremost and tailoring the solutions to make the difference for that customer is what Foundations Bank is all about,” said his wife, Heidi Kolton, who serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Foundations Bank. “It’s all about the relationship, not the transaction.”

Foundations Bank opened in September 2005 and almost immediately became a force in Waukesha County’s highly competitive banking industry.

“Such aggressive growth for a new bank is rare but is clearly due to Greg’s passion for his customers,” Heidi Kolton said.

Foundations Bank’s marketing image is for businesses to “plan well, bank solid,” and “think big, bank small.” Statements like “your dreams matter here” are not just tag lines but the true beliefs of Greg Kolton, Heidi said.

Greg Kolton also serves as the chairman of the board of Milwaukee’s Pius XI High School, his alma matter. He has served as chairman of the board for the Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation since 2002.

“Greg is a leader,” Heidi Kolton said. “I believe that Greg is unique among bankers. I believe in what he has achieved in the past and will achieve in the future for the business owners of southeastern Wisconsin and specifically, Waukesha County. If one needs a great example of the pioneer spirit, the entrepreneurial spirit, and lifetime achievement, look no further.”

Address: N35 W23770 Capitol Drive, Pewaukee
Web site: www.foundationsbank.com
Industry: Banking
Revenues: Not disclosed
Employees: 29

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About Bradley Wooten

Bradley Wooten started as the editorial intern with Small Business Times in January of 2006. He covers a variety of topics and fields. Bradley is responsible for compiling the Glance at Yesteryear photos and cutlines from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee archives. He also aggregates patent data for southeastern Wisconsin and Small Business Administration loans in addition to general reporting. Bradley will graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2007 with dual honors degrees in philosophy and journalism. He can be contacted at Bradley Wooten, 1123 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.