Business Banking Team

A member of the Northwest Bank Team since 2012, Kent Kohlbacher takes pride in the hands-on approach Northwest Bank takes in helping local business Customers. Kent works to build and maintain relationships with high-quality, local companies and their management teams, creating a positive experience that will help Northwest Bank continue to develop new relationships through referrals.

A self-described avid golfer, Kent loves taking in the outdoor recreation opportunities and amenities that Rockford offers. That love of local recreation led Kent to join the Rockford Park District Foundation Board. Kent enjoys cheering for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears.

Amy has been a team member at Northwest Bank since March of 2023. She has over 34 years of commercial banking experience and business acumen that allows her to provide beneficial solutions that assist companies in realizing their strategic goals. Collaborating with companies and serving as a consultant, she actively listens to the client to create financial solutions that are tailored to their specific growth objectives, using a holistic approach to the wide range of available Banking services. Her approach has allowed her to develop and maintain strong client relationships assisting them in each stage of their company"s life cycle. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Business Administration from Illinois State University. Amy is the recipient of the “2012 Twenty People You Should Know” by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, has been named as a Pinnacle Professional in the “Inner Circle Executive” Magazine, invited by TD Ameritrade to be a panelist for “Estate and Trust Planning for a Family Business – A Team Approach” at their LINC National Conference and most recently received the Pinnacle Achievement Award as a 2022 Top Commercial Sales Performer.  As an active member of the community, she works with numerous organizations and boards. Amy is currently serving as Chair of the Salvation Army Board.

Sarilyn has 17 years of experience in banking. She spent the first 11 years in banking as AVP Treasury Management and VP Commercial Banker. Most recently, Sarilyn was a SVP and Commercial Banker at another bank in the Rockford area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in management studies from Rockford University

Eric comes to Northwest Bank with 15 years of banking experience, most recently from another bank in the Rockford area where he served as Business Banking Team Leader for the past five years. He worked in similar roles in business banking prior to that. Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Rasmussen College.

Rob Gillette joined the Business Banking team at Northwest Bank in April of 2016 as Vice President, Relationship Manager.  Rob has more than 20 years of banking experience, including working with commercial customers in the Northern Illinois area for more than  15 years.  He has developed great relationships with his customers by working to ensure that their needs are being met and ultimately that their business is successful.  His experience with Equipment Loans, Lines of Credit, Small Business Administration and Commercial Real Estate are a great addition to the Northwest Bank team.

Rob is a life-long Rockford area resident.  He volunteers for several local organizations including the Stateline Chamber Board, Stateline Chamber Ambassador, Stateline Chamber Golf Play Day Committee, and he is a baseball coach at  the Rockford Boys and Girls Club.  He and his wife are the parents of one son, and share their home with their dog Millie.  When he is not coaching his son in baseball and basketball, working in the yard, or spending time with his family, Rob is cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks and the University of Notre Dame.

Rich has been a team member with Northwest Bank for over 19 years.  After a successful career in television broadcast management, Rich joined Northwest Bank in 2003.  In changing careers, Rich entered a 2-year bank management training program working in every department: Retail Banking; Business Banking; Mortgage; Loan and Deposit Operations.  After successfully completing the training program, Rich became a Business Banking Relationship Manager.  In 2008, Rich transitioned into the Credit Administration Department as a Senior Credit Analyst responsible for analyzing business and consumer loan requests.  Additionally, Rich is responsible for overseeing the Consumer Central Credit approval process, approving all consumer loans.  In 2022, Rich has returned to a Business Banking Relationship role as well as continuing overseeing the Consumer Central Credit area.

Sheryl Haberle has been part of the Northwest Bank Team since 2001. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the bank’s cash management services and assist our business Customers in tailoring financial strategies to help take their business to the next level.

Sheryl enjoys spending time with her family and her dog. When it comes to sports, she cheers for teams from Wisconsin, especially the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Lorri joined our team in August 2023 as a Senior Business Baking Sales Associate.  She has over 25 years of banking experience working closely with Relationship Managers to provide exceptional customer service to business clients. Her previous banking experience has also included time in Private Banking and Special Assets.  In her free time she loves spending time with her four grandchildren, traveling and watching the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, March Madness and her husband’s Creston Regulators Vintage Baseball Team.