Pete Johnson has retired after 15 years as CEO for Opportunity Bank of Montana and more than 43 years in banking.

Effective January 1, 2023, Laura Clark, previously Opportunity Bank President, has assumed the responsibilities of President and CEO of the bank. Clark has spent eight years with the bank and her experience spans over 40 years in banking.

“Serving as CEO has been an honor and a pleasure and I’m proud of our century-long reputation for serving clients and the community,” said Johnson. “Laura is a respected and outstanding leader, and I’m confident in her ability, along with the board and our management team, to lead the bank into the future.”

Growing up in northern Illinois and attending college at Mankato State University in Minnesota, Johnson got his start in banking as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank in Helena in 1979 and has since called Montana home. In 1981, Johnson applied for a job with American Federal Savings Bank longtime officer (and future CEO) Larry Dreyer and was hired almost immediately as an Assistant Treasurer in the accounting department. Johnson worked many jobs throughout the bank, eventually taking over as CEO after Dreyer’s retirement in 2007.

Opportunity Bank Board Chairman Rick Hays said the board is grateful for Johnson’s strong leadership and contributions to the company over the years.

“Pete embodies everything good about community bank leadership and his contributions cannot be overstated. During his tenure, he navigated the Company through a period of significant change and growth while continuing to foster a culture that differentiates us in the marketplace. Pete has been a remarkable leader and a highly effective CEO, and we wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement.”

Johnson has amassed numerous accomplishments during his decades of service, growing the bank from just $240 million in assets on June 30, 2007, to nearly $2 billion today.

“Working for a community bank helped form my philosophy in banking and that what you do in the bank can help the community grow,” said Johnson.

Johnson has spent his entire banking career in the Helena area and has served on the Montana Independent Bankers Association (MIB) Board of Directors and as a member of the Federal Reserve Board’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council. He is a past Chairman of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Diocese of Helena Finance Council. He is a member of the Independent Community Bankers of America’s Political Action Committee, St. Peter’s Health Foundation Board, Diocese of Helena Finance Council, and is Montana’s Federal Delegate to the Independent Community Bankers of America.

Mr. Johnson will continue to serve on the bank’s Board of Directors.

When asked what he attributes to his success, Johnson said, “I was in the right place at the right time and took every opportunity to learn and grow. One of my favorite quotes about luck is that is where opportunity meets preparation (and hard work). Doing the ‘right things’ with authenticity and humility has been the key to building our strong culture and reputation.”

“Having a support network is important, whether that is family or friends, I’m fortunate that my wife, Mechille, is my best friend, soul mate, and my biggest cheerleader.”

“I have enjoyed a wonderful career and am grateful for the opportunity to have served this company for so many years. I look forward to continuing to watch the bank’s success,” Johnson said.