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Employee News

Employee Spotlight- Kerri Gonzalez

Kerri Gonzalez, Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager | SouthStar Bank Leander Kerri Gonzalez is the leader of the SouthStar Bank Leander Operations team. She joined the bank as the Branch Manager in the Summer of 2022, bringing over 19 years of industry experience to the team. In her role, Kerri enjoys working with people, both customers and coworkers, to improve their quality of life. “Helping someone achieve their financial goals and seeing how that makes a difference in their situation is priceless,” she says. Kerri is also proud to be a leader and spokesperson for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is always striving to learn more about how to bring people together in understanding and knowledge, and in 2017 she achieved Platinum level in the Masters of Diversity Awareness program through Comerica Bank. When Kerri isn’t working, she is spending time with her three kids at the pool, watching movies, and reading as many books as she can. Along with her other hobbies, Kerri also enjoys traveling anywhere with a beach. Her favorite travel destination is Destin, Florida, for its beauty and all of the happy memories that have been made by her family. She hopes to one day take her travels away from the coast and across the pond to Scotland, England, Austria, and Italy. Something that most people don’t know about Kerri is that she participated in and completed the California CrossFit Games in 2009 and 2010.

Employee Spotlight- Keely McCarthy

Keely McCarthy, Marketing Coordinator | SouthStar Bank Round Rock Keely McCarthy is the Marketing Coordinator at SouthStar Bank. She started with the bank as a Marketing Intern in January 2020 and was promoted to her current position after her graduation from Sam Houston State University. Keely’s favorite aspect of her position is getting to work and interact with a variety of team members across the bank. She enjoys getting to continuously learn something new by assisting all of the bank departments. Her biggest career highlight was receiving the 2021 Rising Star Award, which is awarded to those who have been with the bank for less than two years and have exhibited exceptional growth and leadership. Away from the bank, Keely enjoys reading, watching movies, and completing jigsaw puzzles. One of Keely’s passions is traveling, some of her favorite past travel destinations include the U.S. Virgin Islands, Boston, and La Jolla, California. While she has not taken her travels internationally yet, she hopes to one day add stamps from Canada, Ireland, and Europe to her passport. A fun fact about Keely is that her favorite way of touring a new city is via Segway, and she hopes to someday travel the United States via train. 

Employee Spotlight- Kathryn Davis

Kathryn Davis, Personal Banker| SouthStar Bank Leander Kathryn Davis is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Leander Branch. She joined the team in 2020 with three years of industry experience. Throughout her time with the bank, Kathryn is most proud of the amount of professional growth she has made. She enjoys learning something new every day in her role and hopes to continue to grow in her knowledge of the banking industry. Away from the bank, Kathryn enjoys honing her skills in nature photography, participating in community outreach programs, and playing with her dog, Mercy.

Welcome Shirley Sears

Shirley Sears, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Leander Shirley Sears is a native Texan born in Fort Worth. She has been a resident of the Cedar Park/Georgetown area for the last 35 years, where she raised her three children with her husband, Chris. In her role with the SouthStar Bank Leander team, Shirley will specialize in refinances, construction financing, and mortgage lending. While Shirley enjoys helping her customers build their dream homes, she loves building relationships with them even more. Making her clients feel comfortable and building trust with them is Shirley’s top priority. “A home is a place of comfort and peace,” she says. “Being able to help my customers fund their refuge is the ultimate reward.” In the professional community, Shirley is involved in Professional Women of Williamson County and the Williamson County Association of Realtors. At home, she enjoys exercising, listening to live music, being outside by any body of water, and spending time with her family. Welcome Shirley! NMLS# 1464584

Welcome Tyler Lucas

Tyler Lucas, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Tyler Lucas is a Vice President of Lending located in Southwest Austin. An alum of Texas Tech and Western Governors University, Tyler has spent the last ten years in the banking/financial services industry, with most of his experience focusing on commercial lending. For him, the best part of his job is being his customers’ trusted advisor for achieving their dreams. “I truly love and have a passion for helping people,” he says. “Whether they are an individual buying their dream home or a small business owner looking to expand, I will always strive to help them accomplish their goals.” In the Austin community, Tyler is a member of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and the Risk Management Association. He is also a member of the Young Men’s Business League, a social service organization for young professionals. Away from work, Tyler enjoys checking out the Austin live music scene, fly fishing, cheering on his beloved Red Raiders, and spending time with his wife Wesley and their two children, Warren and Wyatt. Welcome to the SouthStar Bank family, Tyler! NMLS# 2118548

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 […]

Congratulations Claudia Gonzales! 2021 Best Teller

Congratulations Claudia Gonzales! Claudia was named the winner of the Best Teller category in the 2021 Kerr County Readers Choice awards. She is located at the SouthStar Bank Kerrville branch and has been with the bank for the last four years. Since starting her career in banking, Claudia has strived to always provide her customers with top notch service. Hoping to move up in the banking industry, Claudia enjoys learning about all aspects of banking including lending and new accounts. In her new role as a Personal Banker, she is excited to be able to assist her customers further with their banking needs.    

Congratulations Jeff Harris! 2021 Best Mortgage Lender Runner-Up

Congratulations Jeff Harris! Jeff was named runner-up in the Best Mortgage Lender category for the 2021 Kerr County Readers Choice Awards. He is a Vice President of Lending at the SouthStar Bank Kerrville location. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Jeff prides himself on his commitment to his customers, community, and country. All of his clients are treated with professionalism and compassion as they achieve their dreams of homeownership, whether they are first-time home buyers, someone moving to the community, or a second homeowner. NMLS# 1678994

Welcome Adriana Alvara

Adriana Alvara joins SouthStar Bank as Business Development Officer, bringing over 11 years of experience in the financial and strategic business industries. She is dedicated to the Business Manager Program which serves to stabilize business cash flow through accounts receivable financing. Adriana will develop relationships among the many growing businesses in Central Texas, helping them seize valuable opportunities for expansion.

Congratulations Bryan Buck!

SouthStar Bank would like to recognize Bryan Buck for graduating third in his class from SMU’s Southwestern Graduate School of Banking! Bryan has been with SouthStar Bank since 2007. Apart from being a shining star, Bryan is a husband, a father of three and a Deacon for the Westside Church of Christ in Killeen, TX. Congratulations, Bryan! You have distinguished yourself while attending SWGB as being a leader and a scholar. You have made the SouthStar Bank star shine brightly.

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