SouthStar Bank, Author at SouthStar Bank, S.S.B.

by SouthStar BankJuly 13, 2022

Welcome Shirley Sears

Shirley Sears, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Leander Shirley Sears is a native Texan born in Fort Worth. She has been a resident of the Cedar Park/Georgetown area for the last 35 years, where she raised her three children with her husband, Chris. In her role with the SouthStar Bank Leander team, Shirley will specialize in refinances, construction financing, and mortgage lending. While Shirley enjoys helping her customers build their dream homes, she loves building relationships with them even more. Making her clients feel comfortable and building trust with them is Shirley’s top priority. “A home is a place of comfort and peace,” she says. “Being able to help my customers fund their refuge is the ultimate reward.” In the professional community, Shirley is involved in Professional Women of Williamson County and the Williamson County Association of Realtors. At home, she enjoys exercising, listening to live music, being outside by any body of water, and spending time with her family. Welcome Shirley! NMLS# 1464584

Employee News

by SouthStar BankJuly 7, 2022

Welcome Tyler Lucas

Tyler Lucas, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Tyler Lucas is a Vice President of Lending located in Southwest Austin. An alum of Texas Tech and Western Governors University, Tyler has spent the last ten years in the banking/financial services industry, with most of his experience focusing on commercial lending. For him, the best part of his job is being his customers’ trusted advisor for achieving their dreams. “I truly love and have a passion for helping people,” he says. “Whether they are an individual buying their dream home or a small business owner looking to expand, I will always strive to help them accomplish their goals.” In the Austin community, Tyler is a member of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and the Risk Management Association. He is also a member of the Young Men’s Business League, a social service organization for young professionals. Away from work, Tyler enjoys checking out the Austin live music scene, fly fishing, cheering on his beloved Red Raiders, and spending time with his wife Wesley and their two children, Warren and Wyatt. Welcome to the SouthStar Bank family, Tyler! NMLS# 2118548

Customer Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJuly 6, 2022

Customer Spotlight- Texas Truck and Trailer

Texas Truck and Trailer is an Austin-based company owned and operated by Tyler, Terry, and Kari French. Formerly LINE-X of Austin, the organization began in 2017 as a franchise of Line-X® supplying tough, quality bed liners. The LINE-X brand was important to Tyler as he began his pursuit into business ownership. A former military service member and in transportation and logistics business, Tyler acknowledged the value in Line-X’s proven formula for truck bedliners with the toughness and serious protection to meet truck owners’ expectations. Since beginning operations in 2017, the French family has expanded to offer an extensive line of full off-road and after-market truck accessories including lift kits, running boards, flat beds, wheels and tires, performance goods and much more. Texas Truck & Trailer of Austin is a local source for rugged results and complete satisfaction when it comes to bringing your dream vehicle to life. With a team of experts and quality products from proven manufacturers, they can supply the right truck accessories for the job. When the French family was ready to expand their company into the greater Austin area, they looked to their local community bank. Just down the road from SouthStar Bank in Leander, Mr. French was able to meet with SVP and SBA lender, Amanda Aaron. Amanda’s knowledge and expertise with the local market and with small business lending made the French family feel they had found the right fit. With an SBA 7a loan, Texas Truck and Trailer was able to expand current operations through real estate and business acquisition – more than doubling its existing footprint. The move allowed Line X to cover 90% of the MSA through strategic locations in North and Central Austin. The expansion also allowed them to take on fleet work to accommodate servicing of up to 100 commercial trucks at a time. “Customer service is lost in many industries, and I didn’t feel that way at SouthStar Bank,” says Tyler. “They have a small, family-friendly feel that you don’t get anywhere else.” Congratulations on your expansion Texas Truck and Trailer! CONTACTS: Texas Truck & Trailer North (Line X of Austin) 10209 E Crystal Falls Pkwy Leander, TX 78641 512.528.6038 Email: service@texastt.us Texas Truck & Trailer East (Third Coast Vans & Conversions) 9621 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78753 512.444.8677 Email: sales@texastt.us SouthStar Bank Amanda Aaron, SVP/Branch Executive, NMLS# 1819235 | p: 512.456.0035 | m: 512.645.7902 | amanda.aaron@southstarbank.com

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJune 13, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Jeff Harris

Jeff Harris, Senior Vice President of Lending/Branch Executive| SouthStar Bank Kerrville A member of the SouthStar Bank family, Jeff Harris works at the Kerrville Branch as SVP and Branch Executive. He enjoys helping people and seeing them obtain their goal of home ownership. Jeff prides himself on the relationships he builds with his clients. While they start as regular bank customers, by the end of the lending process, Jeff views everyone as a friend. Before joining the banking industry, Jeff served in the United States Marine Corp. for six years, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Jeff has a passion for helping his fellow veterans achieve their financial goals. Helping a veteran buy their forever home is Jeff’s favorite part of his job. In the Kerrville community, Jeff holds leadership roles with multiple organizations that work to help veterans. This list includes his appointment by the County Judge to the County Veterans Advisory Council, Together with Hill Country Veterans and The Hill Country Gala. Beyond his work with local veterans, Jeff is also the current President of the Rotary Club of Kerrville, Vice President of the Hill Country Crisis Council, Commissioner with the city’s Planning & Zoning Committee, and a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. Marrying his wife is Jeff’s highest personal achievement. Together they enjoy fishing and traveling. They have a tradition of going to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, every year to celebrate their anniversary. He hopes to one-day cross cage diving with Great White Sharks off his bucket list while in Mexico. If Jeff could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, he would go back to his Marine Corps. past and meet General Lewis “Chesty” Puller. Jeff Harris NMLS# 1678994

Customer Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJune 9, 2022

Customer Spotlight- Oil Field Products International Inc.

Oil Field Products International Inc. (OPI) is a family and women-owned company established by Paul Tompkins and wife, Marilyn Tompkins, in 1997. Paul has been in the manufacturing business for over 40 years. OPI primarily manufactures tools to grab and turn pipe in the oilfield. Paul was able to secure a US Patent for his drill pipe spinner tool which effectively grabs and spins pipe – creating a built-in cheater bar solution previously unavailable. 30 OPI spinners now span the globe, and they also create the dies to grab pipe in-house. Paul and Marilyn were previously renting space in the Kyle area near Austin, TX. With the rising cost of space, the duo grew increasingly interested in owning their own property. Through a recommendation from a neighboring business and friend, Paul was connected with SVP of Lending, Gary Mobbs. When they identified the property, Paul recognized it was slightly out of the norm and discussed the potential with Gary in detail. The structure included a roof and slab, but no existing sides, and sat on a 2-acre piece of land previously used for watermelon farming. A preferred SBA lender, SouthStar Bank was able to structure an SBA 7a loan to meet the needs of OPI including working capital, property purchase and construction to retrofit the building. “Gary is a banker, but he offers so much more,” says Paul. “I have found good bankers have the ability to draw upon their broad experience in working with many businesses. Gary is able to take that knowledge and share it with other SouthStar Bank customers, like me. He provided valuable information to help me make a solid business decision.” During the move, OPI was able to move their large equipment into the building before constructing the walls and retrofitting it to their needs. OPI now operates out of the new climate-controlled facility with plans to expand, paying only a quarter of what they were previously committing to rent each month. The move came at an ideal time and OPI continues to thrive. “I could not have done it without SouthStar Bank and obtaining an SBA loan,” says Paul. He and Marilyn hope to expand into additional industries like the pipeline and the HDD markets. A family-run business, Paul and Marilyn make the day-to-day operational decisions, son Paul Jr., leads machining operations, and daughter, Michelle, assists with the website and marketing. The Tompkins have 4 granddaughters ages 9 to 16 who they hope will share their passion for engineering and developing new solutions. SouthStar Bank thanks the Tompkins for their valued business and we wish you ongoing success! CONTACTS: Oil Field Products International Inc. (OPI) Paul and Marilyn Tompkins, Owners 281.482.0827 | sales@oilfield-products.com 9587 N Highway 80 | Leesville, Texas 78122 SouthStar Bank Gary Mobbs, SVP/Area Manager, NMLS# 586586 p: 830.672.1081 x1605 | m: 830.857.1418 | gary.mobbs@southstarbank.com

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankMay 31, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Faith Shrader

Faith Shrader, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Faith Shrader is a Personal Banker at our SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Branch. She joined the team in 2021 and has quickly become an integral member of the operations team. “Getting to know and assist all of our wonderful customers is the best part of my job,” she says. When she’s not at work, Faith volunteers with Solid Ground, a ministry that provides showers, laundry, clothing, and haircuts to the homeless community. A unique fact about Faith is that she is a licensed cosmetologist and did hair professionally for six years before joining the SouthStar team. Some of her other favorite past times include spending time with family, reading, and traveling.

Customer Spotlight

by SouthStar BankMay 1, 2022

Customer Spotlight- Body Wise

Supplied funding to established business partners for land acquisition and construction of a 9,000 square foot, two-story retail building in Lakeway, TX. The new facility will house the partner¹s BodyWise Gym along with two retail storefronts for tenants. “After experiencing nothing but hassles trying to work with two large banks we’ve had relationships with for years, an associate suggested we try SouthStar. It quickly became clear that SouthStar cares about local business and the benefits we anticipated from owning our own building. We were surprised at how easy the process was and how important they made us feel every step of the way.” Amanda Aaron, SVP/Branch Executive, NMLS# 1819235 | p: 512.456.0035 | m: 512.645.7902 | amanda.aaron@southstarbank.com

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankApril 19, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Estefania Torres

Estefania Torres, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Hearne Estefania Torres is a Personal Banker positioned out of SouthStar Bank’s Hearne branch. Estefania has been with the team for a little over a year and enjoys continually learning something new about her role every day. As one of SouthStar Bank’s bilingual team members, Estefania has been essential in building lasting relationships with all of the bank’s customers. When Estefania isn’t working, you will find her shopping with her family, journaling, and listening to music. The number one item on her bucket list is to one day visit her grandparents in Mexico.

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankApril 4, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Donny Lehmann

Donny Lehmann, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Kerrville Donny Lehmann joined the SouthStar Bank Kerrville team in October 2021 during the acquisition of Community First National Bank. After 20 years in banking, Donny knows that no two loans are alike. He views every new customer as an individual and works to find the unique loan solution that fits their specific needs. Walking homebuyers through the process and eventually assisting them with fulfilling their homeownership goals is Donny’s favorite thing about lending. Maintaining an active role in the community, Donny is involved with the Kerrville Board of Realtors, the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of First United Methodist Church. He is also active in his kids’ extracurricular activities specifically the Golf and Drill teams. Donny enjoys hunting, golfing, fishing, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and spending time with his family. A surprising fact about Donny is that he really enjoys cooking and his favorite food to make is BBQ. His favorite vacation that he has taken was to the French Quarter in New Orleans because of the food and atmosphere. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 428594

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankApril 4, 2022

Congratulations Curtis Wren! New Executive Vice President

Congratulations to Curtis Wren on his promotion to Executive Vice President! Curtis has spent the last four decades in banking and finance. He has been with SouthStar Bank for the last eight years, where he has made a significant impact on the Bank’s loan approval process as a Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. In his role, Curtis is responsible for the Credit Administration Group and the administration and maintenance of the Bank’s Lending, Appraisal & Evaluation, and Environmental policies, and the adherence to them in analyzing, underwriting, and approving loans. Prior to his promotion, Curtis was awarded the 2021 President’s Award, which is given to the individual who has made the organization’s strongest contribution over the past year. As Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Curtis will continue to share his extensive knowledge and experience with the loan officers and credit analysts. “I don’t look at lending just from the viewpoint of the collateral and cash flow,” he says, “I look at lending in the context of the request and as making a smart investment in the people behind the request, and I will continue to share that philosophy.” A proud member of the Georgetown community, Curtis is involved with several local organizations including Main Street Baptist Church, Ducks Unlimited, and the Coastal Conservation Association. He has also held leadership positions with the Georgetown Rotary Club where he was the Director and the Sargent-at-Arms. In his free time, Curtis enjoys barbecuing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends, particularly his four grandchildren. Two of his most significant personal accomplishments are his marriage to wife, Charis, for 38 ½ years and the wonderful family they have raised. A surprising pastime is that he enjoys making renovations to his 1890s home and yard. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 680305