The National Business Education Association, Mountain-Plains Region, has awarded Richelle Johannes the 2020 Outstanding Contributions to Business Education Award. Richelle serves as Vice President for Two Rivers Bank.
This annual award recognizes contributions to business education by an institution, organization, business firm, government agency or an individual associated with any of these groups. These contributions must have significant impact on business education at the regional and/or national level. Johannes was honored with this award at the state level for Nebraska in 2019.
Johannes was instrumental in creating a partnership between the University of Nebraska-Omaha Center for Economic Education, Two Rivers Bank, and Arlington Public Schools to create a Bank in School (BIS) program.
Working together, the Arlington Eagles Bank in School program was formed in 2016. This unique program is only active at the school on designated days each week for grades kindergarten through sixth. It is staffed by members of the Arlington High School FBLA chapter and gives opportunities for elementary students to learn about savings and how financial institutions operate, plus, they learn to become savers themselves. The high school tellers get an opportunity to practice customer service, book balancing and money management skills. Since its inception, students have saved over $30,000 through the BIS program.
Johannes is on-site on weekly to lend her expertise to the program. In addition to BIS, she has helped with mock interviews, works with students to prepare them for FBLA competitions, and has served on panel presentations across the state to advocate for BIS programs.
Johannes is described by a school administrator as a “tireless champion of all student endeavors related to business education.”
An Arlington Public Schools graduate said she is “extremely passionate in helping to develop the next group of future business leaders and promoting a future career in business.”
“Richelle is very deserving of this award,” said Randy Lock, Two Rivers bank president and CEO. “Her leadership, commitment and passion have built a successful educational benefit for all those involved. The program has exceeded all expectations.”
