Alex Kowski Has Found a Home in Bismarck-Mandan

If you had asked Alex Kowski as a teen where he envisioned himself in adulthood, he would have said Minneapolis or another major metropolitan area. However, after four years of college and five years in the local workforce, Kowski can’t imagine living anywhere but Bismarck.

“The Bismarck-Mandan area has everything you need from a big city but maintains a small-town feel,” says Kowski, a Business Banker at Cornerstone Bank. “I love where I live and who I work with.”

Kowski even bought a house this past summer, further putting down roots in the region.

While Kowski has a fun journey to Bismarck-Mandan, his story isn’t too unique. Many people end up in the region by a twist of fate and choose to stay once they discover how wonderful the community is. Read Kowski’s story and how he Makes His Mark on the people he meets. 

Kowski Came to North Dakota Through a Baseball Scholarship

After growing up in Central Minnesota, Kowski moved to Bismarck-Mandan to attend the University of Mary and play on its baseball team. He had previously been unaware of the college, but had a positive experience on the tour and saw a future there.  

“It was a blessing in disguise,” he says. “I fell in love with Bismarck through my four years of college, but I probably only needed two years to decide to stay here.”

Kowski has nothing but good things to say about the University of Mary. He appreciates how the professors knew him personally and worked with his baseball schedule to balance athletics with education.

As his graduation date approached, Kowski assumed he would return to Minnesota. But the team at Cornerstone Bank had other plans. They hired him immediately after school ended, and he has stayed there ever since.

Cornerstone Bank Supports Bismarck Businesses

Kowski started as a teller, then moved into the credit department, and now works as a business banker at Cornerstone Bank. His job is to work with local entrepreneurs, business owners, and franchisees to secure funding and make sound financial decisions.

“I love the relationship piece of my job,” he says. “I get to be an advocate for my customers.”

Cornerstone Bank has 10 locations across North Dakota and South Dakota, with a branch in Bismarck. The staff take pride in being the community’s bank and never relying on one-size-fits-all solutions for their customers.

“We want to align the customer with what’s best for them and what we can do,” says Kowski.

Cornerstone Bank is also a great place to work. Kowski says he has made friends with his colleagues and has even turned to them for advice on home improvements and repairs. 

Cornerstone Partners With the Bank of North Dakota

North Dakota is home to the only state-owned bank in the country, which creates additional opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners to seek funding. Cornerstone Bank works closely with the Bank of North Dakota to support business development in the region. 
 
“They make it easier for us to say yes to loan applications and requests,” says Kowski. “We can spread the risk across multiple partners as long as both banks agree that the project would add value to the Bismarck-Mandan community.”

This is partially why North Dakota was recently named the ninth most entrepreneurial state in the country. More than 90% of business owners launched their companies by choice, not need, and the state boasts a 78% business survival rate. This data shows that people are proactively starting companies and they receive the support, resources, and customers to succeed.  

The Bismarck Community Turns Connections Into Friends

With an established career at Cornerstone Bank, Kowski was free to build his social circle. He says that many of his friends are made through the organizations he is involved in, with professional connections turning into friendly meetups on evenings and weekends.

“I appreciate the number of groups that Bismarck-Mandan has for someone looking to get involved,” he says. “I want to surround myself with like-minded people who also want to invest in the community.”

Kowski is actively involved with BNI Elite, a global networking group with a presence in North Dakota, and sits on the boards of the Bismarck State College Foundation and Bismarck Gymnastics Academy.  

When he’s not traveling to Minnesota to cheer on sports teams or searching for his next scuba getaway, Kowski gives back to Bismarck-Mandan and continues to meet new friends and neighbors along the way. 

Anyone Can Make Their Mark on the Region

Kowski and many of the other residents who share their Make Your Mark stories highlight how everyone has a place in Bismarck-Mandan and how small contributions add up to make a big difference. A positive experience at the University of Mary changed Kowski’s life forever, and now he gets to put down roots here while helping countless businesses each year.

How do you Make Your Mark? Let us know so we can tell your story! Or, keep meeting your neighbors and learn what life is like in Bismarck-Mandan. It’s a wonderful place to find yourself and grow.