Always busy, the bank’s Application Development team has a hand in just about every piece of software you use, as manager Katie Rosnow explains. They’re also our in-house doughnut experts. Our featured branch last week was Muskego.

The Application Development team, clockwise from top left: Brandon McCullough, Katie Rosnow, Sherri Scalish, DJ Bluma, and Kinnon Schreiber.

Personnel
Katie Rosnow, Application Development Manager, AVP
DJ Bluma, Application Development Team Leader
Brandon McCullough, Product Analyst
Sherri Scalish, Product Analyst
Kinnon Schreiber, Product Analyst

What is your department’s main purpose, and what are the services it provides?
The Application Development team is one of three teams within the IT department. We are responsible for supporting, managing, installing, and troubleshooting all software applications used by bank employees. In addition to that, we develop our own applications and web forms, and we manage all on-site SQL databases and our iVue data warehouse. We adhere to numerous policies and procedures and keep thorough records and documentation.

What are some things you’d like other departments or branches to know about what your department does?
We aren’t always just working on software that we purchase from a vendor — we often are working on our own software code, web forms, scripts, and automations to help improve processes for our users. Did you know that the Application Team coded and developed the New User form, ATM Balance form, Extra Teller form, GL Extract, Ad Request form, Loan Change form, and Document Work Request form — just to name a few? Our team is responsible for the secure transfer of critical data and transaction files to other vendors and banks. We set up numerous scripts and monitor these processes closely.

What events or projects or times of the year keep your department especially busy?
Honestly, we are always busy. We support all areas of the bank, so we are involved in any new software implementation, as well as all software upgrades. No matter what we are working on, we always try to have fun and keep things light. IT work can be very stressful and demanding, and to stay cool and calm with a smile on your face is the best way to succeed.

Any personal celebrations or milestones among the people at your department recently?
2015 marks a few personal celebrations for the team. I got married to my fiancé, Jason. Sherri Scalish celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the bank. DJ Bluma purchased a new condo in Wauwatosa. Kinnon Schreiber earned his EMT certification. And Brandon McCullough purchased his 125th pair of shoes.

Between all of us, we have almost 35 years total with the bank. I am very proud and feel fortunate to have had such longevity with the team members so far. More important, we are a cast of characters who make each other laugh and treat each other like family. It’s bound to happen when you spend more time at work than you do at home.

What’s a great work story from your department?
We are food junkies and love to try new things. Last year, I ran across a doughnut place called Holey Moley in the Third Ward, which specializes in unusual doughnut flavors like passion fruit, blood orange, peanut butter chocolate bacon, and crème brûlée. At the time, Kinnon lived close to downtown and agreed to pick up a sampler for us to try. While he was there, he entered a drawing for a free dozen and then won it! While picking up the prize dozen doughnuts, he entered the drawing again and won for a second time!

Needless to say, we ended up getting to sample almost every flavor of doughnut. We don’t always just eat junk food, though. Last year we were inspired by a “Lunch and Learn” guest speaker who talked about the benefits of not eating sugar or flour. We spent the next week eating no sugar or flour (or very little) and also got the department involved in a food day making recipes that excluded sugar and flour.

Any exciting or noteworthy developments on the horizon for your department?
The team has been developing a new intranet platform called SharePoint. We’ve been working on it in between many other important projects and deadlines and hope to have it live by early fall. It is a new technology for us and something we’ve been working hard at learning so we can provide a helpful, easy solution to our follow employees. SharePoint will provide the bank with more collaboration tools like discussion boards, shared calendars, and document libraries.