Employee Spotlight Archives - Page 10 of 10

by SouthStar BankFebruary 3, 2020

Employee Spotlight – Betty Singleton

Betty Singleton, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Calvert Branch Betty Singleton is a Personal Banker at our SouthStar Bank Calvert Branch. Betty has been a part of the SouthStar family for 30 years. Her favorite part about the job is helping customers. Outside of work, Betty is involved in multiple organizations including the Order of the Eastern Star and Aggie Moms, where she volunteers to raise money for student scholarships. Betty’s hobbies include scrap booking and traveling. Her travels include several destinations including Disney World, the Bahamas, and Africa. Betty’s dream is to one day return to Africa.

Employee News, Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankDecember 19, 2019

Employee Awards & Anniversaries

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, […]

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankNovember 12, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Asile Betancourt

Asile Betancourt, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Brazoria Branch Asile Ann Betancourt is a Personal Banker at our SouthStar Bank Brazoria Branch. A new member to the team, she has quickly slid in as one of the family. With 15 years of experience, she is a welcome addition! She is also continuing her education through Brazosport College. When she’s not at work, Asile enjoys fishing, hunting, swimming and camping with her family. Asile is a member of the Unknown Cookers team, cooking a brisket crowd-pleaser. When she’s not cooking, she shares her expertise judging local cook-offs. Asile and her family are avid Dallas Cowboys fans and attend a game each year. Her other ideal travel includes time outdoors with family in the Hill Country around San Antonio.

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankNovember 1, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Andrew Denny

Andrew Denny, Assistant Vice President/Mortgage Disclosures and Software Systems | Mortgage Processing Center Andrew Denny is Assistant Vice President of Mortgage Disclosures and Software Systems working out of SouthStar Bank’s Mortgage Processing Center in Lakeway, TX. Andrew has been with the team for ten years and enjoys being challenged in the industry. He says there’s always something new to learn! When Andrew isn’t working, you might see him standup paddle boarding (SUP) on the water in Austin, throwing axes for fun, or tackling his latest woodworking project. He volunteers to raise funds and awareness for the Flatwater Foundation, paddling 21 MILES in TYLER’S Dam That Cancer event on Lake Austin. Andrew Denny NMLS #941401

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankOctober 21, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Amber Gallagher

Amber Gallagher, Assistant Vice President & Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator | Steiner Ranch Branch Amber Gallagher has been with the SouthStar Bank team for almost two years. In banking for 14 years, she enjoys working closely with clients on their loan needs and assisting loan officers carry out smooth transactions. Amber is proud of her 2018 nomination for SouthStar Bank’s Ride the Brand Award. She was voted by her peers, after a relatively short time working with SouthStar Bank, for going above and beyond her role. Amber and her husband of 20 years enjoy volunteering and cheering on their kids’ extracurriculars, including enthusiastic support for the Lake Travis High School Cavaliers. During her leisure time, Amber enjoys spending time at the lake with her family. They enjoy boating, surfing and being on the Lake Travis water. The family also loves attending boat races, wakeboard competitions and races at Austin 360. It’s no surprise that Amber describes her dream vacation as time away with family and friends around a body of water, a great view and a cold drink in her hand.

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankOctober 4, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Amber Bell

Amber Bell, Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator | Southwest Austin Amber Bell has worked in the banking and finance industry for 4 years, and although she considers herself new to the industry, she is a great asset to the team. She is proactive in making the loan process as efficient as possible and always has a smile on her face. Amber enjoys interacting with clients and being a part of turning their dreams of home ownership into reality. On the weekends, Amber enjoys coastal fishing, bird/hog hunting down South, and family time on the lake in the Hill Country with puppies and parents. Amber loves being outside hiking, fishing, hunting, and running with her dog, Dixie. “Although I can come across as a girly girl, I surprise many people by being able to change my own tire, back a trailer, drive a standard and shoot.” says Amber. She believes in making a vacation out of any trip, big or small, by finding new things to do. Amber has traveled quite a bit within the United States, but her dream is to travel outside of the country and learn more about other people’s culture, eat the local cuisine, and site see the history of new places.

Employee Spotlight, SBA

by SouthStar BankSeptember 27, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Amanda Aaron

Amanda Aaron, Vice President of Lending | Leander Branch Amanda is the Vice President of Lending at our Leander Branch, specializing in SBA and commercial lending. Her expertise and personable skills allow her to guide clients through the entire lending process, making them feel comfortable about what to expect during each stage of acquiring business loans. Amanda believes the ability to make a customer feel comfortable about what’s to come is invaluable. Maintaining an active role in the community, Amanda is a member of CREW Austin, CTAGGL (Central Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders), Little League, and the ILDS School Board. Through CREW, Amanda had the opportunity to lead the outreach committee in supporting local charities such as Saint Louise House. Amanda says making an impact in the community at any level makes her feel proud. Amanda and her family enjoy camping, hiking and taking advantage of the outdoors whenever possible. In fact, she hiked the 27-mile trail around Lake Georgetown in one day when her now-husband proposed to her at the 16.6-mile marker – a memorable journey! Amanda’s dream vacation is anywhere she can see undisturbed nature from the porch, drink her coffee, and no schedule is required. Amanda Aaron, NMLS #1819235

Employee Spotlight, SBA

by SouthStar BankSeptember 20, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Alexis Michael

Alexis Michael, Senior Vice President, Branch Executive, Regional Credit Manager and SBA Director | Leander Branch A part of the SouthStar Bank family, Alexis Michael works at the Leander Branch as SVP, Branch Executive, SBA Director and Regional Credit Manager. She enjoys building relationships with her clients and being a true partner. For the past 12 years she has been a full time commercial real estate and SBA lender, still partnering with a number of current clients whose loans she closed over a decade ago. It brings her joy to watch the businesses grow and expand, knowing that she helped play a role in their success. Alexis served as President of the Austin chapter of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) in 2017. She joined CREW in 2009, and this organization holds a special place in her heart. She feels blessed to have been elected and serve as the Austin chapter President leading the 150+ member chapter. An active family, the Michael’s enjoy any and all coastal activities. Alexis is originally from the gulf coast of Florida and wants to visit as often as she can. Her family loves to go offshore fishing, shark fishing, crabbing, boating, pretty much anything that involves the salt air. The ideal vacation for Alexis is going big game fishing in the Caribbean with my family. Alexis and her husband used to run a martial arts school. She is a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Sibak Black Belt in Kajukenbo, however she hung up her belt 5 years ago after her last daughter was born. Her husband still trains daily and keeps trying to get Alexis back involved. For the past 15 years she has served as an AWANA Director/Leader at her church. Many of those years were spent teaching the kindergarten class. Recently she moved to 3rd and 4th grade classes, and is now serving as a Sunday school teacher for the 4th and 5th grade. She enjoys seeing the children grow in their faith. She is also actively involved in Round Rock Christian Academy children’s school. She currently serves on the Board of Director’s and is the Treasurer of the Parent Support Team (PST). Alexis Michael NMLS#790782

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankSeptember 13, 2019

Employee Spotlight – Adriana Alvara

Adriana Alvara, Business Development Officer, Steiner Ranch Branch Adriana completed her bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at El Paso. She is new to the SouthStar Bank team and is looks forward to developing in her current role. Adriana is an active member in philanthropic activities, one of her favorites is work with the local food bank and packaging meals for families on Thanksgiving. Her community outreach also includes membership with The Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin as well as a board member of the El Paso in Austin Network, both organizations focus on raising scholarships for students. Adriana enjoys many hobbies during her free time. She is adventurous and loves being outdoors, she often finds herself scuba diving, hiking and backpacking on trails and mountains. A sports enthusiast, she participates in basketball, Gaelic football, running, and golfing. Adriana has a passion for travel. Her idea of a dream vacation would be on a beach or in the mountains where there is no service and she can unplug.