2024 Men of the Year: Eric Gerke

Laura Farmer is unequivocal. Many foster children are better off because Eric Gerke chose to help them.

“Eric has been an integral part of our growth at CASA by constantly sharing our mission with others and motivating them to take action. Eric led our capital campaign committee that raised $3.7 million to purchase and renovate two buildings,” says Farmer, executive director of CASA of Southwest Missouri, which trains volunteers to advocate for kids in foster care. “Eric was involved in every step of the project from visioning to fundraising to implementation. It has been an incredible amount of work.

“If not for Eric, these improvements to our child welfare system would not have been possible.”

Serving CASA in multiple board roles, including as past president and chair of the fundraising effort that raised nearly $4 million in 13 months, is one of Gerke’s proudest civic accomplishments. His efforts with CASA over nearly a decade led to Gerke being named Board Member of the Year by the national CASA organization.

“Being a small part of the growth CASA has seen in the last few years is very humbling,” he says. “I know many families have been positively influenced by the help CASA gives, which ensures children get out of the foster care system quicker and are less likely to return to foster care.”

Gerke has spent his career in banking, most recently as senior vice president at Guaranty Bank, which he joined in 2019. He appreciates opportunities to use his experience to help others.

“With our growth, I have been able to work with a variety of long term and new employees, many of whom are new to the bank or new to their role,” Gerke says. “I have enjoyed the increased leadership opportunities, and it has been exciting to see people grow and improve in their current roles and for some of them to receive promotions and additional responsibilities.”

Gerke aims to be both banker and adviser with his clients.

“The past few years have been a unique time for our economy and banking,” he says. “I strive to be a positive influence on my customer’s business and their employees.”

Gerke believes helping others is part of leadership.

“My parents instilled the importance of giving back to your community and those around you. As a leader, it is important to invest your time back into the community you live in,” he says.

Gerke has served in several positions at Habitat for Humanity of Springfield where he sits on the finance committee, and he is a board member of the Springfield Westside Optimist Club, where he has served as president and vice president. Gerke is also a city council member in Republic and serves as its mayor pro tem.

“Most problems can be solved by working hard and doing what is right. I try and keep this thought process in mind with every decision I make, whether it is in my personal or professional life, and I hope that is recognized by customers, colleagues, friends and family,” Gerke says.