About Blake
In his role, Blake Nelson guides investment and growth strategies for State Bankshares, the holding company for Bell Bank and affiliate companies. He also helps oversee Bell’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) which empowers our team members to act as owners and stewards of the company.
Blake joined the bank in 1998 and was named controller in 2003, serving in that role with longtime CFO Rodney Jordahl. Blake was named the bank’s chief financial officer in 2020 and became chief financial officer for State Bankshares in 2024.
A native of Pelican Rapids, Minn., Blake is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.
He and his wife, Nikki, live in Fargo and have three children.
Blake joined the bank in 1998 and was named controller in 2003, serving in that role with longtime CFO Rodney Jordahl. Blake was named the bank’s chief financial officer in 2020 and became chief financial officer for State Bankshares in 2024.
A native of Pelican Rapids, Minn., Blake is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.
He and his wife, Nikki, live in Fargo and have three children.