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Employee Spotlight

Employee Spotlight- Carla Meisetschleager

Carla Meisetschleager, Vice President/Branch Manager | SouthStar Bank Moulton Carla Meisetschleager is a Vice President and the Branch Manager at the SouthStar Bank Moulton Branch. She has been a part of the SouthStar Bank family for the last 31 years. During her long tenure in the banking industry, Carla has enjoyed meeting and assisting her many coworkers and customers, who she now considers all as friends. One of Carla’s biggest career achievements is being promoted to her current role of Branch Manager. Outside of work, Carla is a member of her local chapter of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Members of CDA help administer scholarship programs, manage charity donations, and are helping hands amongst the community. As a cancer survivor of 26 years, Carla is also heavily involved in fundraising for cancer research. Some of her favorite organizations to support are the Lavaca County Relay for Life and Team ReJoyce. Carla also enjoys fishing, boating, gardening, traveling, and most of all taking care of her grandchildren. An interesting fact about Carla is that she is an avid fan of country music and the first concert she ever attended was to see George Strait. A fan to this day, if she could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, Carla would choose King George.

Employee Spotlight- Bryce Wyatt

Bryce Wyatt, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch Bryce Wyatt joined SouthStar Bank as a Personal Banker at the end of 2021. A Texas A&M alumni, he is located at the Steiner Ranch branch. Although he is new to the banking industry, Bryce enjoys using his critical thinking skills to support his customers’ banking needs. “Getting to assist and interface with the people of the community is one of the best parts of the job,” he says. When he is not at work, Bryce enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, watching sports, and hanging out with family. A fun fact about Bryce is that he has a goal to visit all 30 Major League Baseball ballparks before he dies. As of recent, he has visited three stadiums but has plans to visit more in the future. Gig ‘Em!

Employee Spotlight- Brittany Selement

Brittany Selement, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Kerrville Brittany Selement is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Kerrville Branch. In the banking industry for almost two years, Brittany continually strives to learn something new and expand her knowledge for the job. Brittany’s favorite part of her job is getting to know her customers individually and assisting them with their banking needs. When she’s not at work, Brittany enjoys hiking the great outdoors with her family. One of their most recent hikes was a 7-mile trail at the Hill Country State Natural Area. Brittany’s ideal travel destination is Colorado. The snow-capped mountains, colors in the sky, and the temperature are just a few of the things that make it unique.

Employee Awards & Anniversaries 2021

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 connections 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- Jesica Garza Operations- Julie Gamez Support Operations- Derek Kapavik Support Lending- Blake Feste Mortgage Support- Dawn Embry Executive- Cole Schindler STAR LEADER The Star Leader award is a special award given to applaud and promote the work and contributions of our most senior team. These individuals articulate a compelling vision for the institution and to have inspired others to that vision. They actively support all aspects of our Bank’s advancement and show the highest commitment to professional growth. Recipients deserve exceptional notice and praise. Brent Gibbs Kevin Knesek TRAIL BOSS This year, we also wanted to recognize a few individuals who have stepped up in their leadership role. On a cattle drive, Trail Boss is the one in charge of the entire operation – keeping track of all the different elements of the drive, selecting routes, and making key decisions. Our Trail Boss awards go to those who have helped guide our teams, selected routes for new and expanded operations, and supported key initiatives to exceed expectations. We can all agree that this year brought many new challenges, and I appreciate those who helped set the path for success. Bryan Buck Jo Ann Biezenski Ryan Noyce Trip Ray 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 – Curtis Wren Urban South – Elise Giles Rural North – Roni Nickelson Rural South – Tamara Siegel RISING STAR AWARD We have a new award category this year recognizing our Rising Stars. These individuals have been with the bank for less than two years, but have already made our star shine brighter. These emerging leaders were selected by the executive committee in each department because of their exceptional growth and contributions to the organization as well as increased levels of leadership, responsibility, and sphere of impact. Operations- Melissa Chavez Support Operations- Keely McCarthy Support Lending- Shelby Mossman Mortgage Support- Christine McGinnis 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 […]

Employee Spotlight- Ashley Henneberg

Ashley Henneberg, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Brazoria Ashley Henneberg is a Personal Banker at our SouthStar Bank Brazoria Branch. Her helpfulness and personable skills allow her to assist customers in finding the best banking solution for them. The best part of Ashley’s job is getting to work and live in the town that she grew up in. Ashley loves spending time with her husband and their two kids. She also likes to spend her free time doing hands-on activities such as sewing, woodworking, gardening, and baking. A fun fact about Ashley is that if she could meet anyone in the world, she would choose Brad Paisley, whose song “Then” is Ashley and her husband’s wedding song.  

Employee Spotlight- Virginia Roberts

Virginia Roberts, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Virginia Roberts has been with SouthStar Bank for the last year and a half. She is a Personal Banker at our Southwest Austin location. During her time with SouthStar Bank, Virginia has most enjoyed getting to know the customers. She enjoys listening to their stories and building genuine connections with everyone who comes to the branch. When she is not working, Virginia enjoys doing anything outdoors. She usually can be found hanging out at the local climbing gym, paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake, driving the roads less traveled in her jeep, or camping in state parks. A lover of travel, Virginia’s favorite vacation was her camping trip to Big Bend National Park. Getting to stay in a remote area under the stars was what made the trip special. Traveling to Arizona and hiking the Grand Canyon is the next big travel item on Virginia’s bucket list. Luckily, she plans to cross it off the list in the next year.

Employee Spotlight- Tyler Waldrep

Tyler Waldrep, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Hearne Tyler Waldrep is a Personal Banker for SouthStar Bank. She has been a part of the SouthStar Bank team in Hearne for the last three years. Throughout her time in the industry, Tyler’s favorite part has been getting to talk with her customers and build relationships with them. Away from work, the most important thing to Tyler is spending time with her family. She has four children that keep her very busy.

Employee Spotlight- Trey Bertelson

Trey Bertelson, Vice President/ Retail Banking Operations Officer | SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building Trey Bertelson is the Retail Banking Operations Officer and a Vice President for SouthStar Bank Operations. He offices out of the SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building in Leander. Trey joined the team in 2018 as the Leander Branch Operations Manager, bringing with him over ten years of industry experience. Being promoted to his current position, where he leads our retail team, is one of Trey’s most significant career highlights. Trey’s favorite thing about working at SouthStar Bank is getting to work with all of the different branch teams. “Every branch is different, and we have so many great personalities on our teams,” he said. “I feel fortunate to be a leader in such a great organization.”  Outside of the bank, Trey serves as the Treasurer for the Cedar Park Library Foundation. The foundation is committed to assisting the library in achieving excellence and developing business/community support. Some of the foundation’s initiatives include Fable Fest and Books for Babies.  Trey enjoys spending his free time with his wife and their French Bulldog, Lafayette. Trey’s hobbies include watching soccer and listening to podcasts. An avid traveler, Trey’s favorite place he has visited is Big Bend National Park. The feeling of being so remote and connected with the Earth were some of his favorite moments. 

Employee Spotlight- Sonia Keller

Sonia Keller, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Shiner Sonia Keller works in the Shiner location as a Personal Banker. She recently joined the SouthStar Bank team this year after spending the last five years in the banking industry. Sonia’s passion for helping people is what led her into banking. Being able to complete all of her customer’s banking needs is Sonia’s favorite part of the job. “At the end of the day, I know that my customers’ needs have been met and that they are taken care of,” she says. Outside of work, Sonia has an active role with the Zion Lutheran Church in Sublime as Secretary for the Church Council. She holds the same title for the Bluebonnet Conference of the ELCA Congregation as well. Besides her volunteering, Sonia stays busy taking care of her three kids and their dog. Some of Sonia’s hobbies include reading, singing, and making jewelry for various craft shows. She is currently working to expand her current knowledge of Spanish and is working to become more fluent in the language. An interesting fact about Sonia is that her dream is to work at a zoo or animal sanctuary one day.

Employee Spotlight- Sarah Ortega

Sarah Ortega, Assistant Vice President of Lending/Loan Operations Processor | SouthStar Bank Calvert Sarah Ortega is an Assistant Vice President of Lending and Loan Operations Processor for SouthStar Bank located at our Calvert branch. She began her career in the banking industry with SouthStar Bank five years ago. The fast pace continually changing environment of Lending is one of Sarah’s favorite parts of the job. She also enjoys getting the chance to learn about the many jobs that keep the lending department running. A career highlight for Sarah was receiving the Ride for the Brand Award in 2018 and the Star Service Award in 2020. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She especially loves being with her kids and supporting them in all of their activities.

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