Employee Awards & Anniversaries 2024

RIDE FOR THE BRAND

The Ride for the Brand award recognizes those individuals who have gone above and beyond to uphold the SouthStar Bank brand. 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- Lora Scasta
• Operations- Deanna Ford
• Support Operations- Melissa Thompson
• Support Lending- Kay Lynn Rothbauer
• Mortgage Support- Patty Barron
• Internal Operations- Jennifer Bellavia

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 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.

• Samantha Alexander
• Ryan Noyce
• Miguel De La Riva
• Bryan Buck
• Billy Flemming

TRAIL BOSS

We also wanted to recognize a few individuals who have stepped up in their leadership roles. 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 the executive team appreciates those who helped set the path for success.

• Mark Kelly
• Jesica Garza
• Keely McCarthy

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. They review many aspects including performance, leadership, service, and related organizational benefits.

• Ivan Garcia
• Cole Schindler
• Steffani Scarborough
• Greg Holub

RISING STAR AWARD

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.

• Loan Officer- Tracy Talkington
• Operations- Dayton Mejias
• Support Operations- Jeremy Pauza
• Support Lending- Lauren Lopez

INVESTAR SUPERSTAR

This award recognizes one individual who has embraced our partnership with Hilltop Securities. We look forward to the continued growth of this relationship and the benefits it provides for our clients.

• Brandy Rumfolo

MERCHANT SERVICES SUPERSTAR

This award recognizes one individual who has embraced our partnership with Merchant Services. We look forward to the continued growth of this relationship.

• Tyler Narro

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

SouthStar Bank takes great pride in supporting our communities. The Community Involvement Award recognizes 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 – Tracy Talkington
• Urban South – Bianca Howle
• Rural North – Lora Scasta
• Rural South – Julie Gamez

STAR SERVICE AWARD

The Star Service Award recognizes 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 – Kathryn Davis
• Rural North – Debra Morris
• Rural South – Lucia Fernandez

ANNIVERSARIES

35 YEARS: Sharon Green, Betty Singleton

25 YEARS: Julie Gamez, Patsy Novosad

20 YEARS: Lora Scasta, Roni Nickelson, Gary Mobbs

15 YEARS: Donna Corley, Andrew Denny, Karen Mode, Kandy Lopez

10 YEARS: Lori Bednorz, Davonica Rembert, Mary Hall, Katherine Frederick

5 YEARS: Kristin Ross, Jesica Garza, Kristy Hollis, Linda Van Doren, Amanda Aaron, Patty Barron, Bridget Brosh, Kyla Gesell, Amanda Waldrop

RIDE FOR THE BRAND NOMINEES: Anthony Albino, Bobby Simper, Brittany Smith, Christine McGinnis, Deanna Ford, Dylan Wald, Felicia Hamilton, Jennifer Bellavia, Jorden Caudle, Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Lora Scasta, Mary Kujawa, Matthew Curren, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Thompson, Patty Barron, Sam Bell, Shelby Mossman

STAR SERVICE NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Amanda Waldrop, Amber Gallagher, Annabelle Thompson, Andrew Denny, Anthony Albino, Betty Singleton, Bianca Howle, Blake McNicoll, Brandy Rumfolo, Brianna Tirado, Bridget Brosh, Cecilia Ramos, Christine McGinnis, Daniel Desselle, Davonica Rembert, Dawn Embry, Dayton Mejias, Deanna Ford, Deangela Dozier, Debra Morris, Diane Romo, Greg Holub, Ibrahim Madni, Jenny Currie, Jeremy Bernal, Jesica Garza, Julie Gamez, Kacy Kirk, Kali Gaskill, Kathryn Davis, Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Keely McCarthy, Kerri Gonzalez, Kristy Hollis, Kyla Gesell, Laura Blackstock, Laura Desselle, Lucia Fernandez, Mariela Ramirez, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Greger, Melissa Swift, Michelle Felde, Miguel De La Riva, Pam Browning, Patty Barron, Riley Martine, Roni Nickelson, Rosalinda Larson, Rubi Perkins, Sam Bell, Samalia Huggins, Samantha Schulz, Sara Huggins, Sarah Ortega, Sche Kehner, Shelby Mossman, Steffani Scarborough, Tamara Siegel, Terry Thompson, Tina Zan, Tyler Narro

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT NOMINEES: Amanda Aaron, Anthony Albino, Bianca Howle, Bill Staley, Bridget Brosh, Daniel Desselle, Davonica Rembert, Deanna Ford, Debra Morris, Diane Romo, Gary Mobbs, Ivan Garcia, Jason Herbert, Jeff Harris, Jesica Garza, Jordan Collier, Julie Gamez, Kacy Kirk, Kimberly Watson, Kristy Hollis, Kyla Gesell, Laura Blackstock, Laura Desselle, Linda Martinez, Lora Scasta, Mariela Ramirez, Mary Hall, Melissa Gregor, Melissa Thompson, Miguel De La Riva, Monica Leal, Pam Browning, Sam Bell, Samalia Huggins, Sara Huggins, Sche Kehner, Shirley Sears, Tamara Siegel, Tina Zan, Tracy Talkington, Tyler Narro

Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees!