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

Customer Spotlight – David Archibald

David Archibald

Owner, Mudd Creek Country Store and Chop House

Mudd Creek Country Store was established in 2014 to provide Franklin, TX area residents and travelers with food, drinks, fuel and a friendly place to drop in for a visit. The bankers at SouthStar understood our vision and recognized the project’s incredible potential. Together, we worked through the details and SouthStar financed the project. SouthStar lived up to their reputation as flexible, common-sense bankers. Our Mudd Creek Chop House and Chicken Express restaurants have been particularly well received by the community. Come in and have a taste! We look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with our community and SouthStar Bank.

Customer Spotlight – Karl Haussmann

Karl Haussmann

Realtor / Developer, NW Austin Office Warehouse Complex

SouthStar has been an incredibly vital asset and a loyal partner for many years now. As our project continues to grow and change ─ adding phases to meet market demand and increase profitability ─ they have been unwavering in their willingness to fund land acquisition, site development, and vertical construction. We are grateful to have such a strong personal banking relationship within our community.

Congratulations Gillian Bowman!

Congratulations, Gillian Bowman!

SouthStar Bank would like to recognize Gillian Bowman for completing the process to become a Certified Fraud Examiner! The process included four separate exams, which covered the topics of Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes, Law, Investigation, and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence.

Gillian joined the Audit department for SouthStar Bank in April 2022. During her short time with the bank, she has already made a huge impact and was awarded the 2022 Rising Star award for Support Operations.

As a valued member of the team, SouthStar Bank is looking forward to Gillians’ continued success with the company.

Employee Spotlight- Matthew Danielson

Matthew Danielson, Assistant Vice President/Portfolio Manager | SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building

Matthew Danielson works as a Portfolio Manager at the SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building. He has worked in banking for more than four years and is approaching his second anniversary at SouthStar Bank. Matt graduated from Upper Iowa University and moved to Texas with his fiancé, whom he is looking forward to marrying in May of this year. During his tenure with SouthStar Bank, Matt has excelled due to his mentality. Matt is always excited for new challenges and looks forward to helping clients achieve their end goals. The diversity of opportunities and clients allows Matt to engage and learn with each project, contributing to his development and growth within the Loan Department.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys the outdoors. Whether it be fishing, hunting, golfing, or boondocking on the beach, Matt enjoys indulging in the spoils of nature in a multitude of ways.

Employee Awards & Anniversaries 2022

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- JW Smith
Operations- Kacy Kirk & Kristy Hollis
Support Operations- Jesse Miller
Support Lending- Riley Martine
Mortgage Support- Mark Kelly
Internal Operations- Linda Van Doren

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.

Trip Ray

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 I appreciate those who helped set the path for success.

Greg Vesely
Steffani Scarborough

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 – Samantha Alexander
Urban South – Kimberly Watson
Rural North – Sarah Ortega
Rural South – Monica Leal

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- Sam Bell
Operations- Kyla Gesell
Support Operations- Gillian Bowman
Support Lending- Brittany Edwards
Mortgage Support- Kristen Hendry

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.

Debra Morris

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 – Samalia Huggins
Urban South – Jeff Harris
Rural North – Tina Zan
Rural South – Linda Martinez

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 – Stephanie Weaver
Urban South – Terry Thompson
Rural North – Tyler Waldrep
Rural South – Julie Gamez

ANNIVERSARIES

25 YEARS: Linda Martinez

20 YEARS: Janet Raabe, Kimberly Moore

15 YEARS: Bryan Buck, Cole Schindler, Justen Salcido

10 YEARS: Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Melissa Thompson, Robert Simper

5 YEARS: Amber Gallagher, Candace Barrett, Lauren Roznovsky, Ryan Noyce

RIDE FOR THE BRAND NOMINEES: Amanda Waldrop, Amy Coldeway, Davonica France, Greg Holub, Greg Vesely, Jennifer Bellavia, Jesse Miller, JW Smith, Kacy Kirk, Keely McCarthy, Kristy Hollis, Larry Weisinger, Linda Van Doren, Mark Kelly, Matthew Danielson, Michelle Felde, Patty Barron, Riley Martine

STAR SERVICE NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Alexis Michael, Amanda Aaron, Amanda Waldrop, Amber Gallagher, Amy Coldeway, Andrew Denny, Betty Roznovsky, Blake McNicoll, Bridget Robinson, Bryce Wyatt, Carl Bozon, Cecilia Ramos, Chelsey Carothers, Christine McGinnis, Claudia Gonzales, Davonica France, Deanna Ellison, Deanna Ford, Debra Morris, Derek Kapavik, Janis Cowman Arteaga, Jenny Currie, Jeremy Pauza, Jesica Garza, Joyce Pitmon, Julie Gamez, Justen Salcido, JW Smith, Kacy Kirk, Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Kristin Ross, Kristy Hollis, Kyla Gesell, Larry Weisinger, Laura Blackstock, Laura Desselle. Lucia Fernandez, Mariela Tinajero, Mark Kelly, Martin Aechternacht, Mary Kujawa, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Greger, Melissa Swift, Melissa Thompson, Michelle Felde, Nathaniel Walls, Pam Browning, Patty Barron, Riley Martine, Robert Simper, Roni Nickelson, Ryan Noyce, Sam Bell, Samalia Huggins, Samantha Alexander, Sarah Ortega, Sharon Green, Shelby Mossman, Steffani Scarborough, Stephanie Nevlud, Stephanie Weaver, Susan Forrest, Tamara Siegel, Terry Thompson, Tina Zander, Trey Bertelson, Tyler Waldrep, Veronica Vinklarek

COMMUNITY SERVICE NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Amanda Aaron, Andrew Denny, Bryan Buck, Davonica France, Deanna Ford, Debra Morris, Emily Tucker, Faith Shrader, Gary Mobbs, Jeff Harris, Jenny Currie, Jesica Garza, Jesse Miller, Julie Gamez, Justen Salcido, Kacy Kirk, Kimberly Moore, Kimberly Watson, Kristy Hollis, Kyla Gesell, Laura Desselle, Linda Martinez, Lindsey Morkovsky, Mary Kujawa, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Swift, Monica Leal, Pam Browning, Rebecca Conn, Roni Nickelson, Ryan Noyce, Samalia Huggins, Sche Kehner, Tamara Siegel, Tina Zan, Tina Zander, Virginia Roberts

Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees!

Employee Spotlight- Mary Hall

Mary Hall, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Calvert

Mary Hall is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Calvert branch. She has worked in the banking industry for over 10 years, with seven years spent at various SouthStar Bank locations in Robertson County. Mary most enjoys working in the Calvert branch because it allows her to interact with the great people of Calvert and customers from Bremond, Hearne, and Franklin.

Away from the bank, Mary is a proud wife and mom of two kids. She enjoys spending her free time reading, traveling, thrifting at local garage sales, attending football games, and volunteering with her church.