Management Development Program graduates, from left to right. Front row: Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager Niki Sargent, Regency Branch Manager Jenny Meyer, Northside and Westgate Area Branch Manager Sara Luther-Hagerman. Second row: Southridge Assistant Branch Manager–Sales Dulce Gutierrez, Mailroom Supervisor Colleen Moore, Call Center Supervisor Helen Halaska, West Allis Branch Manager Sara Swosinski, Customer Care Supervisor Barb Finnegan and VP of Training and Development Jan Konkol. Back row: Menasha Personal Banker Adam Graf, East and Shorewood Area Branch Manager Dane Didier, Northland Assistant Branch Manager–Sales Krissy Bowe, Burlington Branch Manager Brian Bozek, VP–Mortgage Lending Manager Chris Boland, and Lake in the Hills and McHenry Area Branch Manager John Ryczek.

On Jan. 22, a celebration luncheon was held for 14 North Shore Bank employees who completed the 2013-14 Management Development Program. Chairman and CEO Jim McKenna and President and COO Jay McKenna presented each participant with an achievement certificate and a special commemorative gift.

The Management Development Program began on July 18; the 14 participants came from both the retail and corporate areas of North Shore Bank. Over the course of six months and 12 full-day sessions, the participants learned about, discussed and practiced numerous management skills. These skills covered areas including communication, hiring, conflict management, delegation, coaching, goal setting, performance management, team building and time management, among others. Individually, the participants represented North Shore Bank in community activities and self-directed improvement opportunities. They also dedicated a number of hours to observing the activities and responsibilities of departments or branches other than their own. This was designed to foster an understanding of how the entire bank operates interactively and to observe, firsthand, how their own areas might affect operations in other areas.

“Each group I teach takes on its own personality, and through networking in and outside of class, they learned as much from each other as they did from the program,” said Training and Development Manager Jan Konkol, who retired last Friday. “I was particularly impressed with the knowledge and experiences they brought to each of the classes, along with their curiosity and willingness to build on that knowledge and experience. We had several challenging conversations, all of which helped them each to grow their management skills. I enjoyed conducting the program and, as I always say, I learn each time I teach, and it helps me brush up on my skills, too.”