Citizens Alliance Bank welcomes Cheryl Smith as vice president/branch manager and loan officer

Citizens Alliance Bank welcomed Cheryl Smith as the new vice president/branch manager and loan officer at its Clara City location. Smith brings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry, with a strong background in business banking, lending, and operations. She has held various roles throughout her career, including teller, customer service representative, consumer banker, assistant manager, branch manager, small business banker, and business banker. Her extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental in supporting our business and agricultural lending operations and driving growth in the Clara City market.

Originally from Marshall, Smith has lived in Alexandria, Minnetonka, and Carver before returning to Marshall in July 2024.

Outside of work, Smith and her husband John, to whom she has been married for 33 years, enjoy spending time with their blended family of four adult children — Zack, Jordan, Jameson, and Jenn — who are spread across the U.S. in Edina; Bishop, California; Columbia, Missouri; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Now empty nesters, Cheryl and John cherish family visits and staying connected despite the distance.

Hoffman & Brobst announces promotion

Hoffman & Brobst PLLP announced the promotion of Carlton Johnson CPA to partner with the firm. A 2015 graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University, Johnson joined the firm in 2016. His areas of professional interest include personal, corporate, and partnership tax preparation along with governmental and business auditing. Johnson also specializes in the firm’s concentration in the agriculture industry.

Johnson has been an active member of the Marshall community serving as president of the Pride in the Tiger Foundation and as an advisory board member for the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals. A native of Pipestone, Johnson and his wife Taylor have two children and reside in Marshall.