Employee Spotlight

Erica Boller, Loan Operations Processor| SouthStar Bank Calvert Branch Erica Boller has been with SouthStar Bank for the last nine months. She serves as a Loan Operations Processor in the Calvert Branch. Erica enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and is excited to be welcoming another little one into her family soon. In her free time, she enjoys running 5Ks, fishing, and hunting. Erica and her husband have a goal to stay in all of the U.S. states. Currently they only have Alaska, Hawaii, and the Dakotas left. Erica also has many dream travel destinations outside of the U.S. such as Africa, Germany, Italy, and France.

Deanna Whitson, Assistant Vice President of Lending| SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Branch & Salado Loan Office Deanna Whitson is an Assistant Vice President of Lending at SouthStar Bank where she splits her time between the Harker Heights Branch and the Salado Loan Office. She has been with SouthStar Bank for two years and in that time has enjoyed building personal relationships with her clients. Deanna enjoys helping her customers reach their financial goal. Outside of work, Deanna enjoys being active in her community. She currently serves as a member of the Salado Chamber of Commerce, President of the Killeen – Fort Hood A&M Club, and Board member of Bell & Coryell Court Appointed Special Advocates. She also serves as Chairman for the Salado Rotary Club BBQ Cook-off and Salado Christmas Parade. Deanna loves helping her community wherever it is needed. One of her favorite volunteer events last year was the Salado Stroll at Santa’s Workshop. In her free time, Deanna enjoys a variety of hobbies such as reading, fishing, cooking, making jewelry, riding roller coasters, attending Aggie football games, and spending time with her family and friends. Deanna married her high school sweetheart and together they have two kids. Her idea of a dream vacation is being anywhere in the world as long as it’s with her family. NMLS#1103822

Dawn Embry, Vice President & Closing Manager| SouthStar Bank Mortgage Office Dawn Embry has been with SouthStar Bank for six and a half years. She currently serves as Vice President and Closing Manager, based in the Dripping Springs Mortgage Office. One of Dawn’s biggest professional accomplishments has been working her way up to her current position. Through her hard work and perseverance, she was able to start as a part time customer service representative, moving up steadily to her current role as Closing Manager. Dawn considers it a privilege to work with the SouthStar Bank staff and loan officers. She loves how every loan she works on is different. She also enjoys reviewing the appraisals of the beautiful homes around the Texas Hill Country. In her time away from work, Dawn enjoys spending time with family, her two dogs, Obi and Lucy, cooking, listening to music, walking and doing yoga. In addition, she likes to spend time with her two miniature donkeys, Daisy and Pimento. Dawn is a member of the Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. She one day hopes to visit a remote tropical island that is surrounded by turquoise blue water. NMLS#1295431

Davonica France, Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager| SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Branch Davonica France works at the SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Branch. She serves as an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. Davonica has been with SouthStar Bank for six years and enjoys being able to assist her customers with their needs successfully. One of Davonica’s biggest work achievements is her recent promotion to AVP and Branch Manager— and we’re so proud! She loves expanding her knowledge and ability to go above and beyond for customers. Outside of work, Davonica serves as an Ambassador for the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce. She also works with the refuge corporation at her church to help with the need in the area. Davonica is soon to be blessed with her second child. She loves spending time with her son outside or playing with cars. She one day hopes to take her son and daughter to Disney World. Davonica also has multiple hidden talents including the ability to draw and sing.

Christy Owen, Assistant Vice President & Portfolio Manager| SouthStar Bank Georgetown Branch Christy Owen is an Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager at SouthStar Bank. Christy is based in our Georgetown Branch, and has been with SouthStar Bank for a little under a year. She has over 19 years of experience in the banking and finance industry. Christy was born and raised in Georgetown and loves her community. She attended college at Southwestern University in Georgetown and has worked for various banks in the area. Christy loves that through her job she can help the people of her community with their financial needs. Christy has been married to her husband for 31 years and together they have two kids. In her free time, she enjoys fishing and vacationing in Colorado and New Mexico. NMLS# 1766851

Chelsey Carothers, Marketing Director| SouthStar Bank Voss Office Chelsey Carothers is the Marketing Director at SouthStar Bank. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin she has been with SouthStar Bank for the last five years. Chelsey loves that with her role she is able to work with people across all levels, departments, and regions of the bank. One of her biggest career achievements is that she received the SouthStar Bank Ride for the Brand Award in 2019. Outside of work, Chelsey enjoys giving back to her community. She is a Board Member for the Port Aransas Rod & Reel Fishing Club which works to support game fish conservation. She also volunteers with the Star Warriors Project and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Chelsey likes to spend her free time in the outdoors fishing, boating, hunting, and walking her Great Dane Gunner. Always in a state of wanderlust, she has multiple destinations she hopes to visit one day including Argentina.

Candace Barrett, Mortgage Closer| SouthStar Bank Mortgage Operations Center Candace Barrett is a Mortgage Closer at SouthStar Bank. She has been with the bank for three years and works primarily with residential loans. The best part of Candace’s job is helping loans “get to the finish line.” She says, “it’s the best feeling getting to assist others make their home ownership dreams a reality.” Candace enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons. Candace and her family love to play football, basketball, go shopping, cook, and travel. One thing people don’t know about Candace is that she loves to sing. She one day hopes to take her travels internationally and retire  somewhere with a gorgeous beach.

Bryan Buck, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Security Officer| SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Branch Bryan Buck is SouthStar Bank’s Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President, and Security Officer. Bryan has been with SouthStar Bank for 12 years and works from the Harker Heights Branch. He is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, at SMU. Bryan enjoys getting to help people achieve their financial goals. Maintaining an active role in the community, Bryan is a member of the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce, Harker Heights Recreational Soccer League, Salado Community Chorus, and the Westside Church of Christ. He also serves as President of the Nolanville Economic Development Corporation which works to increase community development. Bryan enjoys hiking, gardening, singing, and spending time with his kids. Due to his musical background, he can sing and play at least eight different instruments. His dream vacation would be to travel to various natural environments such as the Redwood forests of California or the mountains on the Grand Tetons. NMLS# 469503

Blake McNicoll, Credit Analyst | SouthStar Bank Leander Branch Blake McNicoll has worked in the banking and finance industry for over nine years. Previously working at a local CPA firm, Blake joined the SouthStar Bank team three years ago. He completed his undergrad at The University of Texas at San Antonio and received his MBA from Sam Houston State University. Blake’s favorite part about his job is his critical role in helping customers. In his community, Blake is a member of the Costal Conservation Association and Ducks Unlimited. He has also helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. When he is not at work, Blake enjoys grilling, working out, and spending time with family. Blake is a big sports fan and enjoys watching his favorite teams the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, and the Houston Rockets. One thing people don’t know about Blake is that he is an Eagle Scout. Blake enjoys traveling and hopes to one day take an Alaskan Cruise.

Blake Feste, Vice President of Credit Administration | SouthStar Bank Leander Branch Blake Feste is a VP of Credit Administration at our SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building in Leander. A TCU graduate, Blake has been a part of the SouthStar Bank family for over four years. Blake personally enjoys using his problem-solving skills to identify potential solutions for challenging issues and creating efficiencies for the institution. Outside of work, Blake is on the board of the Young Men’s Business League of Austin (YMBL), where he serves as Co-Chair of Programs. Through this role he coordinates member volunteering with the non-profit’s affiliated entity, the Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC), and leads fundraising efforts each year to send low-income youth to summer camp at no cost to their families. In 2019, he assisted in sending over 1,000 kids to ASC. Blake is a big sports fan and likes to spend his time watching football on Saturdays and Sundays in the fall. He also enjoys traveling and hopes to one day take a ski trip in Japan. Blake and his wife welcomed their first child in 2019.