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

Welcome Randi Shapiro

Randi Shapiro, Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager | SouthStar Bank Leander

Welcome Randi Shapiro! Randi recently joined the SouthStar Bank family as the new Branch Manager of the Leander location. She has spent the last 15 years in the banking industry and brings over 10 years of managerial experience to her new position. Randi is looking forward to sharing her unwavering customer service skills with the Leander and Cedar Park communities.

Randi’s most significant personal achievement is successfully moving from Canada to Texas. In her free time, Randi loves to travel and spend time with her family and dogs. A secret skill of Randi’s is that she is really good at Mario Cart.

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!

Congratulations Jeff Harris! New Branch Executive

Congratulations to Jeff Harris on his promotion to Branch Executive!

Jeff Harris has been promoted to Branch Executive at our Kerrville Branch. In banking since 2017, Jeff specializes in mortgage and consumer lending. A proud US Marine Corps. Veteran, Jeff has a passion for helping his fellow Veterans and families obtain the ultimate goal of homeownership. The values instilled in the USMC have influenced Jeff’s passions, which include active involvement in his community and building strong, trust-based relationships. “I am committed to helping clients achieve their dreams of owning a home; whether they are a first-time homebuyer or a high-net-worth investor, they will experience the same level of professionalism and compassion.,” he says.

While Jeff will be taking on a new role, he plans to remain active in his community. Currently, Jeff serves as President for The Rotary Club of Kerrville and sits on the board of The City of Kerrville Planning & Zoning Commission. He is also the Vice President of the Hill Country Crisis Council, a Director for Together with Hill Country Veterans, and is currently enrolled in Leadership Kerr County Class 36. When he is not working, Jeff loves spending time with his wife Kristy, who is also a Veteran, attending Church, going salt-water fishing, attending symphony concerts, sporting events, and playing golf.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 1678994

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 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 – Davonica France
Urban South – Kimberly Watson
Rural North – Justin Kleiber
Rural South – Melissa Thompson

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 – Aften Serrano
Urban South – Melissa Swift
Rural North – Deanna Ford
Rural South – Mariela Tinajero

ANNIVERSARIES

30 YEARS: Billy Fleming

10 YEARS: Amanda Thurber, Brent Gibbs, Carl Bozon, Greg Holub

5 YEARS: Blake McNicoll, Diane Romo, Elise Giles, Greg Vesely, Jennifer Bellavia, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Swift, Steffani Scarborough, Stephanie Nevlud, Trip Ray

Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees!

RIDE FOR THE BRAND NOMINEES: Amy Coldeway, Amy Elliott, Blake Feste, Christine McGinnis, Cole Schindler, Davonica France, Dawn Embry, Derek Kapavik, Greg Holub, Greg Vesely, Jesica Garza, Julie Gamez, Kimberly Watson, Linda Van Doren, Melissa Swift, Riley Martine

STAR SERVICE NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Alysa Bergam, Amber Gallagher, Amber Minnick, Andrew Denny, Betty Roznovsky, Blake Feste, Blake McNicoll, Bridget Robinson, Brittany Edwards, Caitlyn Le Pori, Chelsey Carothers, Christine McGinnis, Claudia Gonzales, Davonica France, Dawn Embry, Deanna Ellison, Deanna Ford, Debra Morris, Donna Stephenson, Erica Boller, Erica Carillo, Gary Mobbs, Greg Vesely, Jenny Currie, Jeremy Bernal, Jesica Garza, Jesse Miller, Jo Ann Biezenski, Joyce Pitmon, Julie Gamez, Justen Salcido, Justin Kleiber, JW Smith, Kacy Kirk, Kay Lynn Rothbauer, Kimberly Watson, Kristin Ross, Kristy Hollis, Laura Blackstock, Laura Desselle, Laura Pauza, Lora Scasta, Lucia Fernandez, Mariela Tinajero, Meghan Rabel, Melissa Greger, Melissa Swift, Melissa Thompson, Michelle Felde, Monica Leal, Nathaniel Walls, Pam Browning, Patty Barron, Riley Martine, Roni Nickelson, Ryan Noyce, Samalia Huggins, Samantha Alexander, Sara Huggins, Sarah Ortega, Sche Kehner, Sharon Green, Shelby Mossman, Sherri Steadham, Steffani Scarborough, Susan Forrest, Tamara Siegel, Taryn Vandenberg, Terry Austin, Tina Zander, Tyler Waldrep, Virgina Roberts

COMMUNITY SERVICE NOMINEES: Aften Serrano, Alexis Michael, Amanda Aaron, Andrew Denny, Blake McNicoll, Carl Bozon, Davonica France, Debra Morris, Elise Giles, Gary Mobbs, Jeff Harris, Jenny Currie, Jesica Garza, Jesse Miller, Jo Ann Biezenski, Julie Gamez, Justen Salcido, Justin Kleiber, JW Smith, Kacy Kirk, Karen Mode, Kevin Knesek, Kimberly Watson, Kristy Hollis, Larry Weisinger, Laura Desselle, Linda Martinez, Lora Scasta, Mariela Tinajero, Melissa Greger, Melissa Swift, Melissa Thompson, Monica Leal, Pam Browning, Ryan Noyce, Samalia Huggins, Sarah Ortega, Shelby Mossman, Tabitha Griffin, Tamara Siegel, Tina Zan, Tina Zander, Trey Bertelson, Virginia Roberts

Congratulations Amber Gallagher! New CRE Draw Manager

Congratulations to Amber Gallagher on her promotion to CRE Draw Manager!

Amber Gallagher was promoted to CRE Draw Manager of the SouthStar Bank Commercial Real Estate Department. In the industry for over 15 years, Amber started as a Personal Banker. Since her transition to lending, she has been instrumental in the closing and servicing of some of the most complex and high-dollar transactions in SouthStar Banks’s portfolio.

Amber enjoys working closely with clients on their loan needs and assisting loan officers in carrying out smooth transactions. Her expertise and attention to detail are just two of the many reasons she has been chosen to take over as CRE Draw Manager. She will continue in her role as Vice President and Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator handling a broad range of business, from agriculture and commercial loans to mortgage financing.

Amber and her husband enjoy spending time with their kids and watching them grow in their college education pursuit and new adventures. During her time away from the office, Amber and her family enjoy spending time outside on different lakes boating and surfing.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 1691626