Employee News

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