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Danielle Sackllah, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch Branch Danielle Sackllah is joining the SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch team as a Personal Banker. This is her first time working in the banking industry and she is excited to bring her high energy to the workplace. Danielle believes her client focused attitude will help her be successful at SouthStar Bank. Welcome to the team Danielle!
Samalia Huggins, Loan Closing Coordinator | SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Branch Samalia Huggins joins the SouthStar Bank team as a Loan Closing Coordinator. She will be based in the Harker Heights Branch. Samalia brings three and a half years of experience to SouthStar Bank. She is most excited to bring her award-winning personality and drive to succeed to the SouthStar Bank team. Samalia is also looking forward to learning everything that the Bank has to offer. Samalia is a mom of three daughters and grandma to one grandson. She is originally from Wilmington, NC and has been living in Texas for the last three and a half years. During her free time, Samalia likes to cook, explore Texas, and ride the electric scooters in Downtown Austin. NMLS#1553685
Congratulations to Deanna Whitson, recognized as the 2019 Salado Citizen of the Year! Deanna served as the Chair for the Salado Christmas Stroll Parade and under her guidance had the largest Christmas Stroll to date. The parade had over 60 entries and overcame literal construction obstacles. Whitson also played a significant leadership role in the Salado Rotary Club’s Second Annual ‘Que on Main fundraiser which brought hundreds of visitors to Salado on Memorial Day Weekend. When describing Deanna, Awards Chairman Claire Hartman said, “This person doesn’t have to be in charge, but will be if called upon. Her desire to give and help is genuine and authentic.” Hartman also went on to say “Deanna has been in our community helping, with a big H! From Chamber event to community events.” Deanna was taken by surprise when she received the award. “I absolutely love our community, everyone in it, and our Chamber team,” Whitson said. Deanna is involved in the Salado Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. She is a proud Aggie wife and mom and loves to attend the Aggie Football games. In her free time, Deanna likes to craft, read, and make her own jewelry. She looks forward too many more adventures with the Salado Chamber and community. Read more about the Salado Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet from the Salado Village Voice. NMLS # 1103882
The SouthStar Bank family grew recently with the addition of eight new members to the team. Spread through multiple branches in a variety of roles each person is excited to be a part of the SouthStar Bank family. Texas State alumni, Virginia Roberts, joins the Southwest Austin Branch as a Personal Banker. Virginia is looking forward to strengthening SouthStar Bank’s customer service with her energy and enthusiasm. Kristin Ross is adding to the Sendero Springs Branch as Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator. While this is Kristin’s first time working in the banking industry, she brings seven years of real estate experience with her. She hopes to expand her skills with the knowledge she will gain working in the banking world. Another Texas State alumna joined the team as a personal banker, Jill Nava. Jill will be working at the Sendero Springs branch in Round Rock. She recently started with SouthStar Bank and is most looking forward to learning from the people around her. Joining the Leander Branch is another Personal Banker, Amanda Estrada. Amanda has two years of experience working in the banking industry and is excited to apply the skills she has obtained to a community-oriented bank. Michelle Gagin will also be working with the Leander Branch as a Senior Mortgage Processor. Michelle has two degrees in Business Management and Finance from Aurora University in Illinois. She hopes to use her twenty years of experience and knowledge to help the branch and company goals. Tyler Morgan is also beginning his career in the banking industry as a Personal Banker at the Bee Cave Branch. He plans to use his positivity, determination, and focus to elevate SouthStar Bank to the next level. Keely McCarthy joined the Southwest Austin Branch as a Marketing Intern. Keely is a Senior at Sam Houston State University studying Public Relations and Advertising. She is most excited about learning about both the marketing and banking industries. Rounding out the list of new team members is Rebecca Lloyd. Rebecca will be taking on the Vice President/Senior Commercial Underwriter role at the Steiner Ranch Branch. She received her degree from Brigham Young University, and her MBA from the University of Iowa. Rebecca is excited to meet new people and bring new customers to the bank. NMLS# 1932888 Welcome Virginia, Kristin, Jill, Amanda, Michelle, Stayton, Keely, and Rebecca!
Congratulations to Amanda Aaron on her promotion to Branch Executive! Amanda Aaron was promoted to Branch Executive at our Leander Branch. She joined SouthStar Bank last year after spending over 15 years working in commercial lending. Amanda specializes in small business lending and commercial real estate lending but has worked in a variety of other bank services. She has experience in loan production, financing owner-occupied and investment real estate, servicing and underwriting commercial credits. Amanda prides herself on helping her clients throughout the lending process. “The ability to make a customer feel comfortable about what’s to come is invaluable,” she says. She provides that comfort with her expertise and personable skills which allows her to guide her customers through every step of the loan process. While Amanda will be taking on a new role, she plans to remain active in her community. Currently, Amanda holds leadership roles with CREW Austin and her local Little League. In her free time, Amanda and her family enjoy camping, hiking, and taking on any type of outdoor adventure. NMLS # 1819235
Bo Rodman has gained extensive knowledge during his eight years in the banking industry. Spending time as both a credit analysis and a lender Rodman is excited to be a part of the SouthStar Bank team. An Austin native, Rodman is eager to share his knowledge of the area. “I enjoy relationship banking and helping achieve what is in our client’s best interest,” he says. “When I am able to approve a client’s loan that had been turned down at other banks, it is always a good feeling.” Rodman particularly enjoys learning from his clients. “The opportunity to learn how people are putting money to work in new and creative investments or business models is the most interesting part of my job,” he says. Rodman, a Texas A&M graduate, specializes in commercial lending where he has handled a wide variety of loans including spec construction loans, small business lending, accounts receivable lending, and equipment loans. Since joining the SouthStar Bank team, Bo has added consumer mortgage lending to his list of services available to his clients. Rodman is involved with multiple organizations including: Community Foundations Tax Prep, St. Luke’s UMC Board of Trustees, Bachelors of Austin, and Anthropos Arts. In his free time, he also enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, doing lawn work, and slalom skiing. NMLS #1909096
RIDE FOR THE BRAND The ride for the brand award recognizes those individuals who have gone above and beyond to uphold the SouthStar Bank. In the cowboy days, when you worked for a big ranch or participated in a trail drive the cowboy was loyal to the Brand he “rode for.” Guys that rode for the brand had deep connection representing the ranch that transcended their daily work. To strengthen our culture, we continue to need employees that are a good example of this type of steadfast loyalty and who support our mission, vision and values. Loan Officer – Alexis Michael Operations – Jennifer Cline Support Operations – Stephanie Nevlud Support Lending – Amber Gallagher Mortgage Support – Andrew Denny Marketing – Chelsey Carothers Special TRAIL BOSS Award – Norman Koch PRESIDENT’S AWARD This prestigious recognition is awarded by the bank president, David Kapavik, to the individual he and the executive team feel has made the strongest contribution to the organization over the past year in each region. They review many aspects including performance, leadership, service, and related organizational benefits. Urban North – Carl Bozon Urban South – Mark Kelly Rural North – Debra Morris Rural South – Greg Holub Special STAR LEADER Award – Lori Singleton INVESTAR SUPER STAR New award! This award recognizes one individual who has embraced our partnership Hilltop Securities. We look forward to the continued growth of this relationship and the benefits it provides for our clients. Tina Zander COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SouthStar Bank takes great pride in supporting our communities. The Community Involvement Awards recognize one recipient in each of our four regions for exemplifying the community bank spirit through active involvement in worthy causes and initiatives throughout the area. Urban North – Davonica France Urban South – Kimberly Watson Rural North – Emily Tucker Rural South – Monica Leal STAR SERVICE AWARD The Star Service Awards recognize one recipient in each of our four regions for service above and beyond the expected norm. Recipients consistently demonstrate exceptional knowledge of our products and services, as well as an intuitive understanding of our clients’ needs. Recipients consistently exemplify the SouthStar mantra of providing friendly, flexible common-sense financial services Urban North – Samantha Alexander Urban South – Rhonda Robinson Rural North – Deanna Ford Rural South – Maria Manzano ANNIVERSARIES 30 YEARS: Sharon Green, Betty Singleton 20 YEARS: Julie Gamez, Patsy Novosad 15 YEARS: Roni Nickelson, Gary Mobbs, Tamara Siegel 10 YEARS: Andrew Denny, Kandy Lopez, Karen Mode 5 YEARS: Davonica France, Lori Singleton, JW Smith, Nathaniel Walls, Curtis Wren, Rhonda Robinson, Larry Weisinger, Katherine Frederick Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees! RIDE FOR THE BRAND NOMINEES: Alexis Michael, Amber Gallagher, Andrew Denny, Bobby Simper, Carl Bozon, Greg Vesely, Jeanette Ramirez, Jennifer Cline, Kristy Green, Lori Phillips, Mark Kelly, Randy Roberts, Ryan Noyce, Stephanie Nevlud, Tina Zander STAR SERVICE NOMINEES: Adriana Alvarez, Alexis Michael, Amber Bell, Amber Gallagher, Andrew Denny, Barbara Rentschler, Ben Ingram, Betty Singleton, Bob Voorhies, Bridget Robinson, Carla Meisetschleager, Christy Owen, Davonica France, […]
Congratulations to Elise Giles on passing the CCIM Designation Exam and earning her pin! We’re so proud! A CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) is a recognized expert in the commercial and investment real estate industry. The designation process ensures that CCIMs are proficient not only in theory, but also in practice. The elite group of CCIMs includes brokers, leasing professionals, investment counselors, asset managers, appraisers, corporate real estate executives, property managers, developers, institutional investors, commercial lenders, attorneys, bankers, and other allied professionals. Senior Vice President & Specialty CRE/HBF Director with SouthStar Bank, Ms. Giles has broad knowledge of the commercial market. Her career spans over 30 years in commercial real estate in various South and Southwest markets including Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Ms. Giles is an entrepreneurial banker adept at all types of development and commercial real estate finance. Throughout her long and productive career, she has enjoyed working with small and mid-sized developers, builders and visionaries to bring their CRE projects to life. She is always in search of new clients and new strategic positions that complement and grow her extensive knowledge base. “I enjoy creating a niche in a diverse and complex market to provide financing that meets my clients’ needs,” she says. Much of her experience has been in construction finance, including single-family residential lot development, mid-rise apartments, extended stay hotel projects and mixed-use office and retail. Additionally, she has experience financing bridge loans, mini-perms and permanent loans on all types of income property. Elise serves as Chair of the Sponsorship Committee for Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). She is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), as well as a member of Central Texas Commercial Association of Realtors (CTCAR) and Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR). A member and former elder of Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, Elise is active in the Flower Ministry and the Chancel Choir. Singing has been something of a lifelong passion for her. She is a former member of Houston Symphony Chorus. She also attended Southwest Texas State (Texas State University) on a voice performance scholarship. As often as she and her husband, Brad, and their two dogs, Kirby and JackJack, can get away from their busy lives in Austin, you will find them at their beach house in TerraMar on Galveston Bay. NMLS # 1493386
Allen Strickland joins the team at SouthStar Bank in Harker Heights as Senior Vice President and Branch Executive. With two decades of industry experience, he worked his way up from a teller and quickly earned praise as a strategic banker and team leader. Runner Up for Best Loan Officer in Brown County two years running, Stickland is confident in building relationships and recognition in the Harker Heights community. In his new role he hopes to expand SouthStar Bank’s presence in the market through his team’s personal involvement. As a community lender, he will offer residential mortgage loans as well as commercial financing. Strickland enjoys uncovering the specifics of each individual borrower’s needs. “It is fulfilling to sit with a client, discuss their situation and uncover deeper goals than just the present loan request they may have,” he says. Allen and wife Amie have been married for 10 years and have four children ranging in age from 17 to 5. Amie is an RN at Seton Hospital in the Harker Heights area. In his spare time Allen and his family love watching, playing, and coaching all sports. They are currently coaching their 5-year-old daughter’s soccer team- brave parents! NMLS # 1619700
Jesica Garza joins SouthStar Bank’s Georgetown Branch as Assistant Vice President of Lending. A Certified Mortgage Planner, Jesica brings three years of mortgage lending experience as well as her expertise from teaching mortgage and real estate investing to continuing education students. Garza is local to Georgetown, proudly graduating as a Georgetown Eagle in 2004 and continuing to Texas State University to pursue her degree in International Relations. A legacy to a family of builders, Garza especially enjoys working on construction and home improvement loans of all kinds. Active in the community, Garza previously served the Austin Board of the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women. In addition, she is heavily involved with her husband’s non-profit, Flatwater Foundation, and its mission to provide access to therapy for families coping with a cancer diagnosis. Jesica and her husband, Mark, have 2 kids; one smart-as-a-whip 6-year-old son and a beautiful 3-month-old daughter. NMLS # 1508061
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