Sherry Leanna marks 20 years on NSB’s mortgage team

Colleagues celebrated senior mortgage lender/internet specialist Sherry Leanna’s 20th anniversary with North Shore Bank earlier this month. She’s pictured above with a cake in honor of the event.

A mortgage lender since she joined North Shore Bank, Sherry worked in various positions for Security Bank for 20 years before coming here. When Security merged with M&I Bank in 1997, Sherry left, using her severance pay to take a year off. “Jim Dockendorff, a former loan officer at Security Bank, was hired as the department manager at North Shore Bank and called me up to see if I was ready to go back to work,” she says. “I’ve been here ever since!”

“Sherry is a great asset to the mortgage team and to North Shore Bank,” says her manager, VP and consumer lending manager Chris Boland. “Her dedication to providing top-notch service to her clients and bank partners is outstanding. Congratulations on 20 years, Sherry!” •••

Pulaski finishes renovations, makes banking easier

The Pulaski branch recently completed major renovations, sprucing up its appearance and offering more options and benefits to customers.

The remodeling, which began in October, brings the 30-year-old branch into line with our newer offices. Pulaski now sports an open-concept lobby, as well as new walls, carpet, lighting, signage, and furniture. Other additions include a self-service coin counting machine, an interactive “knowledge desk,” Wi-Fi, and videoconferencing capabilities. The branch’s exterior was also improved.

“The biggest change outside was our switch from a traditional drive-thru to a video teller drive-thru,” branch manager Katie Presser said. “This allows us to offer our customers 70-hour, seven-day-a-week banking.”

She said the branch remained open during normal business hours throughout the renovations. “Our customers were very patient with us as they did their banking in small spaces with loud noises! They enjoyed seeing the progress each time they came in, and it sparked many conversations.”

And with the work now done, the response has been positive.

“Customers have commented on how bright and beautiful the branch looks now. They are enjoying some of the new items in the branch — especially the Keurig coffee machine and cookies!” Katie said. “Our branch team has been enjoying getting settled into our new space, and we are excited about hosting an open house for the community.” •••

Sussex “royal baby shower” helps local tots

The Sussex branch held a daylong community “royal baby shower” on March 1 and used the event to collect baby and toddler essentials for Sussex Outreach Services, which helps local families in need. The shower was inspired by England’s current Duke and Duchess of Sussex — better known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — who are expecting their first baby this spring.

“Our whole team dressed like royals,” said teller supervisor Lauren Carley. “Most of us wore dresses accessorized with bold jewelry — and a tiara, of course. [Personal banker] Mariella Zarb and I even wore the royal gloves.”

SOS provided the branch with a top 10 list of its most-needed baby and toddler items; diapers, baby food, and snacks ranked high.

“The most popular donated item would definitely be diapers,” Lauren said. “We had quite a few customers see our display in our front lobby, make a quick run to the store, and come back with a bag or two.”

The day was full of activities for adults and children. Visitors could guess the birth date and sex of the future royal baby, and kids could guess how many blue and pink jellybeans were in a jar. Treats included cupcakes, sugar cookies, and senior mortgage lender Stephanie Glowinski-Moeller’s famous sherbet punch.

Employees who helped with the shower include Lauren, Mariella, Stephanie, universal banker Cheri Hennes, branch manager Anne Kagerah, and marketing communications manager Kate Knox, who came up with the idea for the event. •••

Question of the Month: Excited for spring?

Recent cold snaps notwithstanding, spring has to be coming soon. Tell us: What are you looking forward to when it gets warmer? Here’s what to do:

• Send your note to shorelines@northshorebank.com. Be sure to include your name, job title, and branch or department.
• If there’s a picture that fits the subject, send it along! (If you can’t email the photo, text it to 608-318-3348.)
• Deadline is Friday, March 22.

We’ll run responses on Thursday, March 28. Stay warm! 💐 •••

Service Anniversaries for March 2019
The following employees celebrate a milestone anniversary with North Shore Bank this month.

20 years
Sherry Leanna, Senior Mortgage Lender — read more
Nikki Shelton-Moss, Loss Prevention Manager — read more

15 years
Debbie Oatsvall, Personal Banker, Kenosha Central
Lori Rouse, Branch Operations Support Specialist

10 years
Bertha Huerta, Senior Debit Risk Specialist

5 years
Danielle Lopez, Personal Banker, Westgate

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

New Hires for March 14
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Brookfield Capitol personal banker Joshua Samson was born in Georgia and moved to Wisconsin when he was 13. Before joining North Shore Bank, he was a premier banker for Associated Bank. He says, “I’m VERY fashion-forward — I serve as a board member and CFO for Milwaukee Fashion Week, and as a personal stylist. I was known at Associated for my impeccable fashion and nicknamed ‘Best Dressed in the Midwest,’ to the point where clients would come into my office, not for business, but simply to see what I was wearing for the day.”

Wauwatosa teller Heaven Williams is from Milwaukee and is also a student at Marquette University, double-majoring in criminology and law studies and social welfare and justice, and minoring in Spanish. Before coming here, she was a campus transportation driver for the Department of Campus Safety. “I spent last semester studying in Madrid, Spain,” Heaven says. “While there I enjoyed visiting the famous Retiro Park — but most of all, I enjoyed teaching English to a group of Spaniards. They taught me Spanish, too! For example, in English we say, ‘Tell it like it is’ or ‘They have no filter.’ In Spanish, it’s no tener pelo en la lengua, which translates to ‘to not have hair on the tongue.’” •••

North Shore Shape Up: Does color bring happiness?
Putting a little color in your life never hurts — and it might help. Cleveland Clinic Wellness reports:

In a new study, people who ate more fruits and vegetables reported better mental well-being and “life satisfaction” than those who ate little produce, even after accounting for lifestyle, health, and socioeconomic factors. Like all population studies, this one shows a link but doesn’t prove cause and effect. (It could be, for instance, that people who are more balanced emotionally are more likely to choose fruits and vegetables.) But we already know how good colorful vegetables and fruits are for your overall health, so consider the mood effects a potential bonus!

Will it work for you? Put more fresh, colorful produce in your body every day and find out. •••

Upcoming Events
The Elmbook Humane Society “There’s No Place Like Home” Spring Gala takes place this Saturday, March 16, at the Marriott West in Waukesha. More upcoming events here.

Internal Job Postings •••

Closing Monday, March 18

• Branch Manager II, Pewaukee, full time (40 hrs/wk). Pay grade: E12. Referral bonus: $750.

Ongoing

• Customer Assistance Rep, Corporate, part time (20 hrs/wk). Pay grade: N12. Referral bonus: $400.
• Video Teller, Brookfield Square, full (40 hrs/wk) or part time (20). Pay grade: N03. Referral bonus: $400.

For complete information regarding internal job postings, application procedures, and our referral program, click on the Job Postings tile found on the home page in Ask Seymour.