Capitol Bankshares

Proudly Serving Madison & Beyond

With over 25 years of proudly serving local businesses and individuals, we are mindful of the ongoing support we have received from our loyal shareholders and customers. Capitol Bank continues to be steady, strong and well-positioned for future growth.

Download the 2023 Annual Report

Capitol Bank continues to provide exceptional customer service while safeguarding the integrity of our operations and focusing on sustainable asset quality and profitability.

Annual Report

Annual Meeting

Capitol Bank's Annual Shareholder Meeting will be held on May 13th at 5:30p.m., at the Holiday Inn & Suites, Madison West.

Meet our Leadership

Board of Directors

Kenneth Thompson Executive Chairman of the Board 608-836-4303

Kenneth Thompson
Executive Chairman of the Board
608-836-4303

Ken received a bachelor’s degree in business from UW-Stevens Point and an MBA from UW-Madison. He completed the Graduate School of Banking in Madison in 2004. He has contributed to the Madison banking industry for more than 35 years, including 10 years at M&I Bank, before helping to start and grow Capitol Bank to $550 million in assets. He was named President/CEO in 2003 and Chairman in 2018.

Ken greatly values community involvement as evidenced by serving on the boards of a variety of local nonprofit organizations, including Agrace Hospice Care, American Family Children’s Hospital, Catholic Charities and the Breakfast Optimist Club of Madison. A graduate of Leadership Greater Madison, he also volunteers as a board member for Hy Cite Enterprises and Extreme Engineering.

Ken enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, especially in the outdoors. His pastimes include golfing, playing racquetball, fishing and hunting.

Michelle Behnke Attorney, BoardmanClark, Secretary, Capitol Bankshares, Inc.

Michelle Behnke
Attorney, BoardmanClark, Secretary, Capitol Bankshares, Inc.

Michelle is an attorney with the firm of BoardmanClark. She is active in her community, currently serving on the University of Wisconsin Law School Board of Visitors and the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board. Previously, she has served on a number of corporate boards, including Dean Health Plan, Inc.; Navitus Health Solutions; and SSM Healthcare of Wisconsin..

She is also very active in the legal community. She was elected President-Elect of the American Bar Association in 2024 and will become its president in August, 2025. She is a past Treasurer of the ABA and has also served on the ABA Board of Governors. Michelle served as the President of the State Bar of Wisconsin from 2004 to 2005 and as the Treasurer from 1997 to 98.

Michelle received an undergraduate degree in economics from UW-Madison and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Michelle was elected to membership in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers in 2005 and the American Law Institute in 2017. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Dane County Bar Association, and the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers.

Sean Cleary President, Cleary Holdings, Inc.; Cleary Building Corp; Cleary Transport, LLC; Cleary Real Estate, LLC; Vice President, Capitol Bankshares, Inc.

Sean Cleary
President, Cleary Holdings, Inc.; Cleary Building Corp; Cleary Transport, LLC; Cleary Real Estate, LLC; Vice President, Capitol Bankshares, Inc.

Sean is the President of Cleary Holdings, Inc.; Cleary Building Corp.; Cleary Real Estate, LLC, and Cleary Transport, LLC. Cleary Building Corp. is a manufacturing and construction company of pre-engineered structures with 82 office locations and three manufacturing plant locations in the United States.

Sean’s leadership has been instrumental in growing the company from 40 employees and one office location to more than 900 employees and offices across the country. Sean guides the strategic direction and growth of the company along with ensuring that the day-to-day business of the corporation aligns with the company values and meets the goals that are set. Sean graduated from UW-Madison in 1985. He has worked in a leadership capacity at Cleary Building Corp. since 1985. Additionally, Sean owns and manages six real estate companies, along with a consulting company. Sean is a Director and an Officer of Capitol Bank and sits on many committees for the bank. He is also a member of the Capitol Bank West Advisory Board.

Sean is an investor of Aqua Innovations, LLC, a water resource management technology company, and an investor and serves on the Board for RevCycle Partners, which provides revenue cycle management services for hundreds of eye care practices. Sean is an emeritus member of the UW Business School Dean’s Advisory Board. He also serves on the UW Economics School Advisory Board. Additionally, Sean is a past Director of the UW Graaskamp Real Estate School Advisory Board and a past President of the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce, and he chaired the Verona Chamber Economic Development Committee for many years. He was a member of the committee to formulate the business plan for Thrive, an entity to promote regional growth and quality of life, which is now MadREP.

Sean is a past owner, organizer, and Board member of an optometry software company that was recently sold. He has been a director on many other boards and served as chairman of St. Mary’s (SSM) Hospital Foundation Board, chair of the Executive Committee, and chair of the Finance Committee as well. He is also the past President of Blackhawk Country Club. Currently, he is a member of Brightstar and an angel investor with Third Coast Angels.

Sean was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award in 2009. Sean is married to Carla and has two children. He enjoys family, reading, and sports.

Justin Hart Chief Executive Officer 608-836-4129 Email Justin

Justin Hart
Chief Executive Officer
608-836-4129 Email Justin

Justin received a Bachelor of Science in finance at UW-La Crosse and earned an AACSB MBA at Edgewood College as well as a project management certificate from the Graduate School of Banking. He is an experienced commercial lender with an extensive background in owner/non-owner occupied commercial real estate, manufacturing, aviation, professional services and venture capital. Justin is a graduate of Leadership Greater Madison, a board member for Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, an advisory board member for American Family Children’s Hospital and a past chair for Community Around the Children’s Hospital. He was honored as an InBusiness 40 under 40 award recipient in 2017 and an Independent Community Bankers of America 40 under 40 award recipient in 2021.

Justin lives in Waunakee with his wife and dog. He enjoys climbing, endurance racing, scuba diving, sailing and motorcycling.

Joseph Hildebrandt Managing Director, DaneVest Tech Trust and Phenomenelle Angels Trust

Joseph Hildebrandt
Managing Director, DaneVest Tech Trust and Phenomenelle Angels Trust

In addition to general corporate and real estate clients, Joe counseled new businesses and developing companies. He was a co-organizer, officer & director of the Downtown Madison Partners, Inc. and Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, Inc.

Erik Johnson Executive Chairman, Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC

Erik Johnson
Executive Chairman, Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC

Erik is an experienced businessman, community supporter and philanthropist. Erik’s strong business background provides valuable insight into the unique needs of our business clients.

Mark Koehl CPA (retired), Wipfli LLP, and Treasurer, Capitol Bankshares, Inc.

Mark Koehl
CPA (retired), Wipfli LLP, and Treasurer, Capitol Bankshares, Inc.

Mark is an accomplished CPA who spent nearly 40 years working with community banks in the State of Wisconsin before his retirement from Wipfli LLP in 2019. Mark’s history in the banking industry, combined with his experience serving on various boards, allows him to navigate strategic initiatives for Capitol Bank.

Theodore Richards Chairman of the Board, Strand Associates, Inc.

Theodore Richards
Chairman of the Board, Strand Associates, Inc.

In 1984, Ted assumed the reins of Strand Associates, Inc. and almost immediately started the expansion of the company by opening offices in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Arizona. While he has retired from his position as President and CEO, the foundation he helped build for Strand’s success continues as they operate 12 offices in 9 states. In 2021, Strand was ranked 178 out of the Top 500 Design firms in the USA by Engineering News-Record.

Jay Sekelsky CFA and CIO (retired), Madison Investment Advisors, and Partner, Zermatt Investors, LLC

Jay Sekelsky
CFA and CIO (retired), Madison Investment Advisors, and Partner, Zermatt Investors, LLC

Jay retired from Madison Investment Advisors in 2018, where he was a Partner, CFA, and Chief Investment Officer. He is currently a partner at a private investment firm, Zermatt Investors, LLC. Jay is involved with several for-profit and not-for-profit boards, which allows him to provide a wealth of wisdom and perspective in many areas.

Emeritus Board Members

Albert L. Toon, Jr.

Gerald Peterson

Frank Burgess

Robert Tensfeldt

Richard Munz

Gordon Renschler (Deceased)

Jim Dolister (Deceased)

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