Southstar Bank Insider - SouthStar Bank, S.S.B.

Welcome Back Bryce Johnston

Bryce Johnston, Loan Review Analyst | SouthStar Bank Leander

Bryce Johnston has rejoined the SouthStar Bank team as a Loan Review Analyst. Bryce originally joined the team in the summer of 2023, working as an intern in the Credit Department and exhibiting an excellent ability to thrive in a team environment. Bryce recently graduated with a degree in Finance from St. Edward’s University. He brings an inquisitive sense of curiosity that allows him to learn and grow in his position continuously. He believes each loan has a different story, which helps keep him engaged with all the loans that come to him for review.

Outside of work, Bryce enjoys golfing, watching sports, and following the stock market. He also loves to travel, and his favorite destination thus far has been France, where he was able to visit the World War II sites in Normandy and enjoy the excellent cuisine. One of Bryce’s most significant achievements was winning the Conference Championship as a St. Edward’s Lacrosse Team member during his time at the University.

Congratulations Amanda Aaron! New Credit Officer

Amanda Aaron has been promoted to the role of Credit Officer. She has proven to be an exceptional leader and motivator during her time with SouthStar Bank, first as the Leander Branch Executive and then as the SBA Credit Officer. Now, she has brought those traits into SouthStar Bank’s growing credit department.

At the beginning of 2023, she was promoted from Branch Executive to SBA Credit Officer. This role allowed her to lead the charge in growing and developing SouthStar Bank’s SBA Portfolio. As SouthStar Bank’s Credit Officer, she will expand her role to the bank’s entire portfolio of loans, reviewing and approving credits of all types, assisting in training, and developing and growing the Credit Department to accommodate the continued progress of SouthStar Bank as a financial institution. While in her new position, she will continue contributing to the SBA Department as an SBA Specialist.

Alongside her contributions to the bank, Amanda is also involved in several community organizations, including the Central Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (CTAGGL), a local SBA organization where she serves as VP.

When she finds time to herself, Amanda enjoys watching all types of sporting events, coaching her daughter’s softball team, and spending time with family and friends.

Congratulations Greg Vesely & Miguel De La Riva New Area Managers

Greg Vesely and Miguel De La Riva have been promoted to Area Managers in the Urban South and Rural North regions. Miguel and Greg have found incredible success in their previous roles as Loan Officers and, eventually, Branch Executives. Both men have shown exceptional dedication throughout their time with SouthStar, leaning on their knowledge and experience to offer premier service to their customers. In their new roles, Miguel and Greg will work closely with their teams of loan officers to develop and achieve goals that will help deliver the optimal lending experience to all customers.

Greg Vesely (Urban South) started his banking career in 1993 and became a lender in 1995. He has been with SouthStar Bank since 2016 and has been the Branch Executive of the Steiner Ranch branch since 2017. Greg holds multiple licenses, including Series 6, 63, and Group 1. As a loan officer, Greg enjoys being his clients’ trusted advisor. By understanding their needs, he is able to help them achieve growth and success. One of Greg’s career highlights was being named a Top Mortgage Producer in the Austin Metro Area by Austin Business Journal and being awarded the Trail Boss award, one of SouthStar Bank’s highest internal honors for leadership. Big in his community, Greg is a former Marine and enjoys giving back through multiple organizations, including March of Dimes, Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots, and United Way. In his free time, Greg enjoys traveling across the U.S. with his family.

Miguel De La Riva (Rural North) has been in lending for more than two decades and has been with SouthStar Bank for two years. In his long career in the financial industry, Miguel has funded everything from small business loans, home loans for first-time buyers, and multi-million-dollar commercial real estate transactions. He specializes in using his strong analytical and problem-solving skills to find solutions for complex loans. In his short time with the bank, Miguel has excelled as the Branch Executive of the Harker Heights branch, led the charge with the development of the ITIN loan program, and has been assisting as an extra loan officer in the Robertson County branches. Miguel is a United States Marine Corps veteran and bilingual in Spanish. Outside of work, Miguel enjoys spending his time in the great outdoors, enjoying various bodies of water with his wife and loyal dogs.

Welcome Michael Lott

Michael Lott, AVP & Branch Manager | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch

Michael Lott joins the SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch team as an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. Michael brings a wealth of experience to his new position, with over two decades of experience dealing with the banking industry’s ever-changing landscape. Along with his knowledge, Michael is excited to bring his top-notch customer service skills to his customers and lead SouthStar Bank to be the standard for service in Texas. As a leader of the Steiner Ranch team, Michael is excited to work and share all of the knowledge that will help his team in their professional pursuits.

Outside of the office, Michael enjoys songwriting, singing, reading, and spending time with his three children. Michael’s hidden talent is his singing voice. He even once performed as Elvis at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas! Michael’s favorite destination that he has traveled to is Munich, Germany.

Employee Awards & Anniversaries 2023

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- Jeff Harris
Operations- Kyla Gesell
Support Operations- Keely McCarthy
Support Lending- Laura Desselle
Mortgage Support- Taryn Vandenberg
Internal Operations- Karen Mode

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.

Steffani Scarborough
Trey Bertelson

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.

Miguel De La Riva
Patty Barron
Carl Bozon

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 – Jesica Garza
Urban South – Mark Kelly
Rural North – Billy Fleming
Rural South – Robert Simper

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- Ivan Garcia
Operations- Kerri Gonzales
Support Operations- Matthew Curren
Support Lending- Bryce Wyatt
Mortgage Support- Brittany Smith

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.

Kacy Kirk

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.

Kyla Gesell

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 – Shirley Sears
Urban South – Ivan Garcia
Rural North – Debra Morris
Rural South – Pam Browning

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 – Davonica Rembert
Urban South – Riley Martine
Rural North – Roni Nickelson
Rural South – Dayton Mejias

ANNIVERSARIES

25 YEARS: Pam Browning

20 YEARS: Betty Roznovsky

15 YEARS: Kristy Green, Deanna Ford, Debra Morris

10 YEARS: Dawn Embry, Tina Zan, Lindsey Morkovsky, Kimberly Watson, Mariela Tinajero, Lucia Fernandez, Sara Huggins, Mary Hall

5 YEARS: Amy Coldeway, Terry Thompson, Trey Bertelson, Tyler Narro, Pamela Barbeau, Jim Trungale, Sche Kehner

RIDE FOR THE BRAND NOMINEES: Amy Coldeway, Blake McNicoll, Dayton Mejias, Debra Morris, Felicia Hamilton, Greg Holub, Jeff Harris, Jennifer Bellavia, Karen Mode, Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Keely McCarthy, Kyla Gesell, Laura Desselle, Melissa Chavez, Miguel De La Riva, Patty Barron, Sam Bell, Taryn Vandenberg

STAR SERVICE NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Amanda Aaron, Amber Gallagher, Amy Coldeway, Andrew Denny, Anthony Albino, Barbara Armstrong, Betty Roznovsky, Bill Staley, Blake McNicoll, Brandy Rumfolo, Brianna Tirado, Bryce Wyatt, Christine McGinnis, Davonica Rembert, Dawn Embry, Dayton Mejias, Deanna Ford, Debra Morris, Diane Romo, Dylan Wald, Faith Shrader, Ibrahim Madni, Jenny Currie, Jeremy Pauza, Jesica Garza, Jesse Miller, Jo Ann Biezenski, Jordan Collier, Julie Gamez, Kacy Kirk, Kali Gaskill, Karen Mode, Kathryn Davis, Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Kerri Gonzalez, Kimberly Moore, Kristin Ross, Kristy Hollis, Laura Desselle, Lauren Roznovsky, Linda Van Doren, Lindsey Morkovsky, Lucia Fernandez, Mariela Tinajero, Mark Kelly, Mary Hall, Matthew Curren, Matt Danielson, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Chavez, Melissa Greger, Melissa Swift, Melissa Thompson, Michael Hanna, Michelle Felde, Miguel De La Riva, Monica Leal, Patty Barron, Riley Martine, Roni Nickelson, Ryan Noyce, Samalia Huggins, Samantha Alexander, Sara Huggins, Sarah Ortega, Sche Kehner, Shelby Mossman, Steffani Scarborough, Terry Thompson, Torie Adkins, Trey Bertelson, Tyler Narro

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Amanda Aaron, Andrew Denny, Bill Staley, Brent Gibbs, Bryan Buck, Davonica Rembert, Debra Morris, Faith Shrader, Gary Mobbs, Ivan Garcia, Janet Raabe, Jeff Harris, Jesica Garza, Jesse Miller, Jo Ann Biezenski, Julie Gamez, Kacy Kirk, Kandice Bethke, Kerri Gonzalez, Kimberly Moore, Kimberly Watson, Kristy Hollis, Kyla Gesell, Laura Blackstock, Laura Desselle, Linda Martinez, Mariela Tinajero, Mary Kujawa, Melissa Gregor, Melissa Swift, Melissa Thompson, Michelle Felde, Miguel De La Riva, Pam Browning, Pam Barbeau, Roni Nickelson, Ryan Noyce, Samalia Huggins, Sara Huggins, Shelby Mossman, Shirley Sears, Tina Zan, Torie Adkins, Trey Bertelson

Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees!

Employee Spotlight – Brittany Edwards

Brittany Edwards, Loan Operations Processor | SouthStar Bank Calvert

Brittany Edwards is a Loan Operations Processor at the SouthStar Bank Calvert branch. Brittany began her career in banking with SouthStar Bank two and a half years ago and has quickly adapted to the industry’s unique challenges. Brittany received the 2022 Shining Star Award after just a year with the bank and is excited to continue to grow her knowledge and impact. She finds joy in helping customers build their dream homes and appreciates being a part of an industry that strives to exceed customer expectations and put a smile on every face. Outside of the office, Brittany enjoys attending her child’s sporting events, spending time with family, and enjoying the great outdoors.