Westgate branch manager Julie Goebel celebrates 20 years with North Shore Bank this month.

Some people just end up in banking. Westgate branch manager AVP Julie Goebel, on the other hand, got her first taste of the industry all the way back in high school. That led to her taking a part-time job as a personal banker at Bank of Kenosha in September 2002. In 2013, North Shore Bank acquired Bank of Kenosha, and Julie joined our team.

“Julie is a dedicated professional with a wide range of experience in the financial industry,” says her boss, district manager Brian Bozek. “She leads by example, provides exceptional customer service, and has played a key role in the growth of our Westgate location.”

With 20 years at the company under her belt, she reflects on her career in a short conversation with Shorelines.

How did you come to be interested in banking so early in your life?
In high school, my schedule included several business classes, and I had a phenomenal teacher who encouraged me to pursue business. My senior year, I took part in a work co-op opportunity at Equitable Bank, working part time in the mortgage department. I mainly typed mortgages and prepared loan files.

Julie, early in her banking career, back in the 1990s.

I took a short break from banking and worked in accounts payable at a manufacturing company during college, but made my way back to finance, where I started my lending career. Within a few years, I transitioned to management, where I found the career path I enjoyed the most, and over the next few years, I worked in consumer lending.

After a short break to start my family, I wanted to come back to the workforce part time. I had a friend who worked at Bank of Kenosha and kept asking me to come work for them. So I took a part-time position as a personal banker. I enjoyed being able to balance work and family, and once my youngest child started school, I agreed to go full time and was promoted to branch manager position. Over the next 10 years, I took on more challenges as an assistant vice president, including working as private banker, and was very active in the community. My friend actually left the bank to work for North Shore Bank and tried several times to get me to follow her again! And then North Shore acquired Bank of Kenosha.

Julie at Bank of Kenosha in 2002.

What is it about management that you really enjoy?
I’ve had the opportunity to train and mentor many employees along the way. For me, the most rewarding part of being a manager is being able to help others find their passions and achieve their personal goals. I’ve also been involved with a lot of community organizations, including Boys & Girls Club, the Kenosha Kingfish, Kiwanis, the Village of Pleasant Prairie Kids & Family Expo, and the Racine Zoo.

What’s kept you at North Shore Bank?
The encouragement of employee work-life balance. I transferred to Westgate in 2018 to be closer to home, and I have been blessed with the ability to enjoy things like traveling, boating, and spending quality time with my family.

Husband Mike, daughter Morgan, and Julie after Morgan’s graduation from her master’s program earlier this year.

Julie and her family at Matthew’s wedding to Gabby this year.

And this year has been quite a memorable and busy year for our family! My husband, Mike, and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary; my son, Matthew, got married; and my daughter, Morgan, graduated with her Master of Science in Professional Accounting from UW-Milwaukee.

What do you think the future looks like for you?
I have made many great friends at North Shore over the years, and look forward to many more years here. I love helping customers achieve their financial goals and find that I am still as passionate as I always was — or even more passionate now. I think experience helps put customers at ease — helps them feel that they are in good hands as they reach new milestones and face new challenges. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.