Five years ago, when we last spoke with Beth Williams, she had a different job title — system processes support specialist. But although her business card now says “data analyst,” she says the actual work involved hasn’t really changed. “It’s just different week, different stuff,” she says with a chuckle.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Beth for well over 20 years,” her boss, VP customer support Jude Lengell, said. “She is dedicated in her role and has responsibilities in the vast majority of our processes and projects. Congratulations to Beth on her 35 years of service!”

Beth talked with Shorelines about how things are going as she marks her anniversary with North Shore Bank.

Last time we talked, we discussed how many different roles you’ve had. But it sounds like your job is basically the same since five years ago.
My actual duties can change from month to month. The reporting I do is pretty much the same every month, but there are always new projects happening in the bank that require the data to be tracked.

This year, we had to do a lot of stuff at the beginning of the pandemic, because the bank was giving a break to some of our customers who had service charges. But that has slowed down.

You mentioned your motorcycling and whitewater rafting last time. Have you done much of that kind of thing the last few years?
No, I said no more extreme sports! And I haven’t broken anything in three and a half years. I broke my wrist about four years ago and no longer have strength in my right hand. That made it really hard to ride my motorcycle, so I had to sell it. I’m looking at maybe getting something smaller.

How have you been keeping busy outside of work then?
I moved from the country to the city and bought the house across from my daughter in Milwaukee. I have a granddaughter, age 8, and a grandson who’s 5. I spend at least a full day a week with them when I babysit. We’ve been trying to get out — we went to the zoo the other week. And he comes over most days. He gets done with school and tells his mom, “I’m going to Granny’s house.”

One thing about moving is that nobody told me they do not plow the alleys in Milwaukee after it snows. I keep saying I’m going to retire to Tennessee. My best friend since we were 8 lives in Cosby, east of Gatlinburg, and I love it there. I just came back, actually — I went down for her 60th birthday after she came up earlier this year for mine.

What have you learned over the last five years?
I learned I can stand on my own two feet and do just fine. Now I’m just looking for the fun that’s coming. It’s like Danny Gokey from American Idol — you know his song? “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me”!