Independence Bank Promotes Berry, Klumb
Independence Bank announces two recent promotions.
The bank is proud to announce the promotion of Whitney Berry to the position of regional loan assistant specialist. Berry has been an integral part of the Independence Bank team since May 2016, when she began her career as a loan assistant.
She grew up north of Wolf Point, where she was raised on her family’s farm. She pursued her education at Miles Community College, earning an associate of science degree in business, before completing her bachelor of science degree in accounting at Montana State University Billings.
Her career with Independence Bank began at the Scobey branch as a seasonal teller in 2016. In the fall of 2017, she accepted a full-time loan assistant position. When the new Wolf Point branch opened, Berry moved into a teller role there, later transitioning to a new account specialist, and ultimately returning to her passion in lending as a loan assistant. Her journey reflects not only her versatility, but also her commitment to the bank and the communities it serves.
She has lived in the Wolf Point area since 2008 and relocated to Scobey in 2017. She and her husband, Brandon, have been married for six years. Whitney enjoys volunteering in both communities when needed at the Richardson Theatre in Scobey and the Wolf Point High School concession stand, showing the same dedication to her community as she does to her profession.
In her free time, she pursues a diverse range of hobbies including cooking, baking, crafting, photography, digital design, spreadsheet development and target practice. “We are thrilled to recognize Whitney’s growth and commitment with this well-earned promotion,” said Mike Leinen, Wolf Point/ Poplar branch president. “Her journey with Independence Bank is a great example of how passion and hard work can lead to continued success.”
In addition, Independence Bank is proud to announce the promotion of Jane Klumb to the role of assistant operations supervisor/account relations specialist in the Wolf Point branch.
She joined Independence Bank in April 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in human resources and administrative leadership. Originally from the small town of Lyons in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, Klumb relocated to Wolf Point in May 2022, where she quickly became a valued member of our team.
Before joining Independence Bank, she held several key roles, including serving as an on-site account manager for Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods in Portland, Ore. There, she was responsible for managing nearly 200 employees, showcasing her exceptional organizational and people-management skills.
Outside of work, she enjoys a full and vibrant life. She is happily married to Luke Pedersen and is the proud mother of 10-year-old Mia Skye. A passionate home chef, she loves to cook and bake - always eager to try new recipes. She also enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her beloved pets: Daisy, her golden retriever; Mr. Bubz, a ragdoll cat; and Bailey, her sweet but mischievous rescue pup from Wolf Point.
