Employee News

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

Amanda Aaron has been named a 2022 Emerging SBA Lender of the Year by Coleman Publishing, which is a Nationally recognized publication of SBA information to small business bankers. Amanda joined SouthStar Bank in July 2019, bringing in over 15 years of financial experience to the team. Beginning her career in credit and quickly working her way up to a seasoned loan officer, Amanda expertly guides her clients through the entire lending process and makes them feel comfortable in what can seem a daunting endeavor. Amanda is levelheaded, compassionate, and practical when it comes to SBA lending. She takes the time to learn the client’s business and identify the best loan option for their financial needs. Keeping the borrower’s utmost success in mind, she quickly becomes a trusted advisor and partner. With small-town roots, Amanda is passionate about small business and its crucial effect on main street America. This passion drives her ongoing pursuit to be the subject matter expert for all things SBA, even in an ever-changing environment. This was especially crucial during the frenzy of PPP lending where Amanda remained up to date on the latest guidelines. As a valued member of the SouthStar Bank SBA Team, Amanda actively shares her knowledge with new and seasoned loan officers.  Amanda is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the Central Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (CTAGGL). Coleman Publishing is the leading provider of information to small business bankers. They produce and distribute training courses, webinars, and newsletters to help assist small business bankers in their lending decisions. Every year Coleman Publishing hosts the SBA Lender Professional Awards to honor SBA lenders and their exceptional contributions to the SBA lending community. Congratulations Amanda! Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 1819235