Supporting local businesses with knowledge and experience

Jenilee Bransteter has been in banking for 15 years. She earned a degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from The Ohio State University before attending the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Banking.

Jenilee was drawn to First Bank of Berne because she was looking for a career that allowed her to serve others. She says First Bank of Berne is a perfect fit. She enjoys the teamwork at First Bank of Berne.

As the business banking manager for Berne, Jenilee interacts daily with area business owners who she describes as the most driven and inventive people in our communities. She appreciates conversations with business owners regarding strategies, opportunities, and successes. She enjoys the opportunity to share her perspectives on financial ratios and key drivers of cash flow while offering services to support them in achieving their goals.

Jenilee lives in Ohio where she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Rockford United Methodist Church. She is also involved with the Berne Rotary Club in Berne.

“I feel First Bank of Berne is best positioned to serve the local community because our customers have more than one banker in their corner. Every employee-owner carries a dedication to improving the financial future of our customers. We work as a team.”

Jenilee joined First Bank of Berne in 2007.

Collin Affolder has been with First Bank of Berne since 2018 and also interned at the bank throughout college. He attended South Adams High School before earning a degree in Accounting from Bethel University in Mishawaka. He currently sits on the board for Habitat for Humanity of Adams County and helps teach Junior Achievement for first graders.

Collin says his favorite thing about his job is the variety – each situation is different. He welcomes the opportunity to help a new business get started and see the hard work of a business owner come to fruition. At First Bank of Berne, Collin is able to offer the same technology and features that larger banks have, while also providing a personalized, small-town feel.

Away from work, Collin enjoys spending time with family and playing all types of sports.

Rory Antrim is a graduate of Norwell High School, where he played both basketball and football, in addition to serving as an active member of Campus Life, a Youth for Christ program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a special focus in Management and Marketing from Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). During his time at PFW, he developed an interest in finance and subsequently completed an internship at Northwestern Mutual.

Rory is proud to be a part of the First Bank of Berne business banking team because he admires the bank’s commitment to championing local businesses and investing in the community. He says that First Bank of Berne’s reputation for building great relationships with customers and authentic support of the local community align well with his values and professional goals.

Rory currently serves on the Greet team at iTown Church in Bluffton, IN. Here, he relishes the opportunity to open doors for others and make them feel welcome. He previously served as the Vice President of External Relations for the PFW Marketing Association, a role in which he developed relationships with area businesses, fostered community engagement, and promoted collaboration; skills that will serve him well at First Bank of Berne. Outside of work, Rory enjoys staying active, watching sports with his cat, Rocket, and spending time with friends and family.

Jenna Strayer brings more than 18 years of banking expertise and 10 years of business banking experience to her role as a Business Banker at First Bank of Berne. She is a graduate of both Van Wert High School and Vantage Career Center in Van Wert, Ohio.

A trusted advisor and collaborative problem-solver, Jenna chose a career in banking because she enjoys helping businesses navigate financial challenges, grow, and achieve their goals. She also loves First Bank of Berne’s strong local community focus because it allows her to provide each customer with personalized service and flexible solutions that have a direct impact on the economic strength and development of the community.

As a business banker for First Bank of Berne, Jenna makes it her priority to get to know each customer’s business, understand the unique challenges they face, and work together with them to find solutions that not only make their banking easy, but help them thrive.

Jenna lives in Ohio, where she and her husband, Noah, and three children, Gus, Mack and Blair, enjoy spending time together outdoors. They especially love boating on the many lakes throughout the tri-state area.

“Being part of our business customers’ journeys and knowing that my expertise contributes to their ongoing success is what makes my career at First Bank of Berne so rewarding,” says Jenna.

Alexander “A.J.” Dull is a Business Banker at First Bank of Berne. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration with a focus in Financial Services from Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, IN, and is a South Adams High School graduate. His early experience with the bank’s Internship Program helped spark his interest in business banking.

A.J. was a multi-sport athlete in high school and college, and he believes the analytical and strategic skills from wrestling, football, and baseball are valuable for his business banking career. He shares First Bank of Berne’s commitment to local community investment. “I love working at First Bank of Berne because of our focus on local lending. It’s rewarding to support local businesses and communities,” says A.J.

As a business banker, A.J. enjoys helping First Bank of Berne customers achieve their goals, whether expanding operations, planning succession, or enhancing cybersecurity. “Elevating local businesses by listening, collaborating, and working on growth deals is fulfilling,” he says.

A lifelong Berne resident, A.J. coaches the Berne Bears Baseball 12U team and is a member of First Missionary Church of Berne. Outside work, he enjoys golf, swimming, skiing, and spending time with his family and their Golden Retrievers, Buddy and Bo.

Isaac Gorrell, Business Banker at First Bank of Berne, is a South Adams High School graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN. He first connected with the bank through its Internship Program, which helped pave the way for his current position.

Isaac pursued a career in business banking because he loves helping businesses grow and achieve financial objectives. “Being in a position where I can help businesses amplify their positive impact on our local economy is an absolute privilege. Whether guiding a business through their first loan or helping a family-owned business expand, I find great fulfillment in being part of our business customers’ success stories,” says Isaac.

At First Bank of Berne, Isaac values the bank’s dedication to local community prosperity. He remarks, “First Bank of Berne is so much more than a place to get loans and store money—we’re strategic partners for businesses that bank with us, offering guidance, flexibility, and local insights that larger institutions just can’t match.”

A lifelong Berne resident, Isaac is active in First Mennonite Church. Outside work, he enjoys sports, walking his dog Grayson, and spending time with friends and family.