Written by Kari Sundberg
Jul 28, 2025
From banking to community building, Grove’s been showing up for Grygla for decades.
The Grygla Fall Festival Committee has selected a familiar face for this year’s Grand Marshal: longtime community leader and American State Bank President and CEO, Bryan Grove.
His initial humorous and smart-aleck reaction was: “This seems like a dumb choice for Grand Marshal.” However, that quickly gave way to sincere appreciation. “Truthfully, I was honored and humbled to be selected,” Bryan said. “It feels good to be recognized for things I’ve done in the community over the years.”
Bryan’s list of contributions is both long and meaningful. Over the years, he has been involved in numerous organizations, including the Grygla-Gatzke JC’s, Grygla Revolving Loan Fund, Grygla Lions, Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club, Grygla Area Income Development Corporation, Fall Festival Committee, Ducks Unlimited, Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota Board of Directors, United Bankers Bank Board of Directors, church council, Northwest Minnesota Foundation Loan Review Committee and as township supervisor for Wyandotte Township.
Today, he continues to serve with the Grygla Revolving Loan Fund, Grygla Lions, Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club, Ducks Unlimited, Northwest Minnesota Foundation Loan Review Committee and as Wyandotte Township Supervisor.
Professionally, Bryan began his tenure at American State Bank of Grygla on January 3, 1991, stepping into the role of President from day one and later adding CEO to his title about a year later. He reflects with pride on helping lead the bank through economically challenging times, growing its assets from $6.8 million in 1991 to nearly $85 million today, while maintaining profitability every year since.
A big achievement outside the bank was collaborating with local leaders and agencies to secure financing for the Grygla Family Housing 4-plex in the early 2000s…a project spearheaded with the help of dedicated community members like Sheldon Peterson, Roy Nordby, Bob Thompson and others. Bryan also played a key role in raising funds and working with Marshall County and others to support improvements at the Grygla Community Center.
When asked what he enjoys most about life in the Grygla area, he pointed to the collaborative spirit of the people. “Everyone works together to get things done, improve the community and keep it a great place to live and raise a family,” he said. “And we usually have fun doing it.”
Bryan credits his parents with setting the example for volunteerism, noting they worked hard for the organizations they supported. His involvement with the Thief River Falls FFA chapter in high school also helped shape his outlook, offering early leadership opportunities and experience in community service projects.
For the next generation of community leaders, his message is simple: GET INVOLVED.
“Get active in the school, service clubs, church, or local governments…whatever you're passionate about,” he advised. “In my opinion, if you don’t get involved or volunteer to work with other individuals and community organizations, you lose the right to complain about outcomes in the community.”
This year’s Grand Marshal brings decades of service, leadership and dedication to the parade route, which is a great example of what it means to be truly rooted in one’s community.