Employee News

Lucia Fernandez, Assistant Electronic Funds Manager | SouthStar Bank Gonzales Annex Lucia Fernandez is an Assistant Electronic Funds Manager at the SouthStar Bank Gonzales Annex. Lucia has been with the bank for 10 years and holds 15 years of total banking experience. She received her Associate of Science Degree from Victoria College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Houston at Victoria. As a member of the Wire, ACH, and Business Online Departments, Lucia’s position is vital to the bank’s function and customer safety. The preventative measures the bank has in place enable Lucia and her peers to protect customers and their best interests. She finds the most rewarding part of her job is being able to prevent customers from falling victim to fraud. Lucia’s role also allows her to work with the branches and develop relationships with her coworkers across all locations, which she values greatly. When Lucia finds time outside of school and work, she enjoys several activities. She has spent the last five years serving as the Treasurer for the Smiley Bantam Activity Group, which works to provide safe, fun-filled events for the children of their community to enjoy. She also enjoys going out dancing with her husband, trying new restaurants, or enjoying a good movie with her family. Her favorite travel destination is Colorado Springs, where she and her family climbed the 224 steps to see the beautiful views of Seven Falls.

Jordan Collier, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Franklin Jordan Collier is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Franklin branch. Jordan has been with SouthStar Bank for seven months and holds two years of banking experience. The aspect of her job she enjoys most is interacting with her customers. Jordan’s love for people makes her an ideal fit for her position and allows her to build meaningful, lasting relationships with everyone who enters the bank. Outside the office, Jordan enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and foster child. Jordan spent her honeymoon in Hawaii, which has since become her favorite vacation destination. If she could speak to anyone in the world, it would be her husband’s grandma, who created a strong legacy in her family.

Jeremy Bernal, Information Technology Specialist 1 | SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Annex Jeremy Bernal has worked as an Information Technology Specialist I for the last three years at SouthStar Bank. He is located at the SouthStar Bank Harker Heights annex. In his role, Jeremy works hard to assist all employees with any technical issues they may run into. He takes pride in remedying these often frustrating issues and allowing the staff to work smoothly without interruption. Outside of work, Jeremy likes to spend his time helping people who struggle with substance abuse or alcoholism. He also enjoys saltwater fishing, traveling, and spending time with friends. His favorite destination he has traveled to is London, Ontario.

Janis Cowman-Arteaga, Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator | SouthStar Bank Georgetown Janis Cowman-Arteaga is a Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator at the SouthStar Bank Georgetown branch. Janis has been with the bank for two and a half years and boasts over 38 years of overall experience in the banking and mortgage industries. Prior to joining the SouthStar Bank team, Janis owned and operated her own mortgage company for several years. She credits this experience with helping her develop perspective when working with small businesses. In her position, Janis enjoys utilizing her skills to derive what she finds most rewarding, which includes delivering on someone’s dream of home ownership and helping businesses grow with commercial business loans. Janis is plenty busy outside the office as well! Following her six years of service with the United States Marine Corps she became a lifetime VFW and Marine Corps League member. At home, Janis raises Lovebirds, tending to her flock in a large outdoor aviary that now houses 45 birds! Janis’ favorite travel destination is Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which she believes to be one of the most scenic and serene places on the planet. She enjoys looking for minerals and gemstones to add to her collection when she visits.

Brianna Tirado, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Gonzales Brianna Tirado is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Gonzales branch. She will have been in the banking industry and at SouthStar Bank for two years this coming November. In her position, Brianna enjoys the customer interactions she encounters on a day-to-day basis, striving to assist each customer in any way required. Her second favorite aspect of her job is getting to work with her fabulous peers. When Brianna is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Bridget Brosh, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Moulton Bridget Brosh is a Personal Banker in the SouthStar Bank Moulton branch. She received her degree from Texas State University and has four years of banking experience, all here with SouthStar.  Bridget enjoys the fast-paced environment that banking provides, never shy to a new challenge faced and quick to adapt to the everchanging landscape of the industry. One of her career highlights is taking on IRAs and developing an intricate understanding of the product. An understanding that she now proliferates throughout the entirety of the bank, fielding questions and providing solutions and knowledge to best support her peers. Bridget views each challenge as an opportunity for growth. Outside of work, Bridget enjoys hanging out with friends and family as well as spending time outdoors.

Barbara Armstrong, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Hearne Barbara Armstrong is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Hearne location. She worked primarily in Property Management before joining the SouthStar Bank team one year ago. Barbara enjoys being able to assist customers and problem-solve. One of Barbara’s biggest professional accomplishments was successfully taking charge of and maintaining a billion-dollar student housing company during a 5-month transition in management. Barbara is a proud mother of two and greatly enjoys spending time with her children. Barbara spends her free time cooking, baking, and creating rustic art pieces. As an art enthusiast, one item on her bucket list is to learn how to make pottery.

Amanda Waldrop, Loan Operations Processor | SouthStar Bank Calvert Amanda Waldrop is a Loan Operations Processor at the SouthStar Bank Calvert location. She had previously worked at SouthStar Bank from 2016-2019 and was welcomed back in 2021. The two things she enjoys most about her job are her amazing coworkers and the ability to provide a helping hand to those who dream of home ownership. Amanda’s biggest professional accomplishment was starting a demolition/clean-up company with her husband. Their business had them chasing hurricanes from Rockport, Texas, to South Louisiana, providing services to those affected by the storms. They sold the business in 2021 and eventually moved back to Texas. When she is not working, Amanda spends her time traveling, camping, boating, cooking, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and spending time with friends, family, and her rescue dog, Gunner.