CFBX Community First Bankshares (MM)

Community First Announces Nine Management Promotions FARGO, N.D., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Community First Bankshares, Inc. today announced the promotion of three executives to executive vice president positions and the promotion of six additional professionals to the senior management level. Members of the Community First team have been named to these positions: Dan Fisher was named executive vice president and chief information officer; Pat Staples was named executive vice president of Market Development; and Doug Vang was named executive vice president of Human Resources. In addition, the company announced the promotions of the following team members: Lynne Anstadt to senior vice president of Technology; Sean Burian to senior vice president of Treasury; Mona Flaten to senior vice president and audit director; Toby Kommer to senior vice president of Finance; Thomas Rohleder to senior vice president/general counsel and secretary; and Gale Skarphol to senior vice president of Accounting and Reporting. All promotions are effective immediately. "These team leaders are members of the senior management of Community First and will participate in key strategic planning activities of the company," said Mark Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Community First. "I am pleased to recognize the abilities and achievements of these talented leaders. They bring unique perspectives and experience to assist Community First in developing and implementing corporate strategies.We look forward to benefiting from their ongoing efforts on behalf of our clients and shareholders," said Anderson. Dan Fisher joined Community First in 1994 and has served as the company's chief information officer since 2000. He previously served as senior vice president and as executive vice president of bank operations. He is also president and CEO of Community First Technologies, Inc., the company's technology subsidiary. Fisher has held executive positions in the financial services industrysince 1979 at financial institutions in Hawaii, Texas, Minnesota and North Dakota. Pat Staples joined Community First in 1994 and previously served as senior vice president and director of Market Development. She has more than 20 years of marketing and public relations experience. Her prior professional experience includes managing marketing and public relations functions for regional healthcare systems and agricultural corporations based in North Dakota and Minnesota. Doug Vang previously servedas senior vice president and director of Human Resources after joining Community First in 2001. His previous professional experience includes serving as senior vice president and chief operating officer for Banner Health Systems, formerly based in Fargo, N.D. Vang holds law and accounting degrees from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D. Lynne Anstadt joined Community First in 1997 as the controller in the Accounting and Reporting Department. In 1998, she became vice president of financial services for Community First Technologies, Inc., the company's technology subsidiary. With more than 20 years of banking experience, Anstadt previously worked at regional banking companies in North Dakota. She is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Moorhead, Minn. Sean Burian previously served as vice president of Treasury. He joined Community First in 1995 as an investment analyst and was later promoted to investment officer. Burian is a chartered financial analyst. Mona Flaten joined Community First in 1995 as vice president and audit director. She had previously served as a supervisor for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Minneapolis, Minn. She holds an accounting degree from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., and is a certified bank auditor, national bank examiner and certified risk professional. Toby Kommer has served in various positions at Community First including senior auditor, regional financial analyst, regional finance officer, senior finance officer and vice president of project management for Community First Technologies, Inc., the company's technology subsidiary. He joined the company in 1996. Kommer is a certified public accountant, certified bank auditor and holds a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich. Thomas Rohleder joined Community First in 2001 as vice president of risk management. In 2003, he was promoted to vice president, general counsel and secretary of Community First. He previously held legal and administrative positions at Banner Health System, formerly of Fargo, N.D., and at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Rohleder holds a law degree and a master's degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. Gale Skarphol previously served as vice president of Accounting and Reporting and audit director at Community First. He joined the company in 1987. Skarphol's extensive experience infinancial services includes serving in vice president, operations and audit positions for regional banking systems in South Dakota. He is a certified management accountant, bank auditor, financial services auditor and certified risk professional. He holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D. Community First Bankshares, a $5.5 billion financial services company, provides a complete line of banking, investment, insurance, mortgage and trust products to individuals and businesses. The company's extensive offering of financial products and services is marketed through full-service offices in 136 communities in 12 states-Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The company's services include an online banking system that offers electronic bill payment and discount brokerage capabilities, telephone banking and an extensive ATM network. Community First Bankshares stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol CFBX. The latest investor and other corporate information is available at its Web site, http://www.communityfirst.com/ . This press release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. The company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from the results discussed in the forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to: risk of loans and investments, including dependence on local economic conditions; competition for the company's customers from other providers of financial services; possible adverse effects of changes in interest rates; execution and implementation of a series of previously announced strategic initiatives; balance sheet and capital ratio risks related to the share repurchase program; risks related to the company's acquisition and market extension strategy, including risks of adversely changing results of operations and factors affecting the company's ability to consummate further acquisitions or extend its markets; and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the company. DATASOURCE: Community First Bankshares, Inc. CONTACT: Jeff Wilhoit of Financial Relations Board, +1-312-640-6757, ; Mark A. Anderson of Community First Bankshares, Inc., +1-701-298-5600, Web site: http://www.communityfirst.com/

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