Debbie Tess

CSR Debbie Tess finds it amusing that she entered the workforce with a job at First Wisconsin National Bank in Milwaukee, did a multitude of other things in between, and almost three years ago found herself back in banking.

“I was a bonded messenger at First Wisconsin, and the bank occupied an entire city block,” Debbie remembers.

She went on to hold a series of office positions with secretarial and receptionist duties, she was a professional cake decorator at a bakery for a time, and she worked in a gift shop — her favorite job because of great co-workers and its proximity to her Oconomowoc home.

She learned about openings at North Shore Bank in an online ad. “I interviewed with Mary Rose Balzer, and, bless her, she took a chance on me based on my sales experience.”

Debbie started at Wauwatosa and now is at the New Berlin office. She works from 25–30 hours a week and credits North Shore for being open to hiring mature people with diverse work backgrounds.

Debbie liked studying world history in school, and she has seen a bit of the world during her travels. She went to Belize in 2008, joined her two sons and grandson for a fly-in fishing trip to Canada a few years ago, and she and grandson, Ty, went to Washington, D.C. four years ago when he was 11.

She and Ty took a cruise to the Bahamas the following year. “We went snorkeling, parasailing, and we explored the water park at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island,” she says. “I wanted to have these special times with Ty before his friends become more important than time with Grandma.”

Debbie has energy to keep up with Ty, now almost 15, from her regimen of regular biking and swimming. She loves being outside and looks forward to using Oconomowoc’s outdoor pool during summers. Reading and traveling occupy other leisure hours, along with drawing and writing.

One of Debbie’s adult sons, Mike, owns and operates a graphic design firm in Denver with ties to Hollywood and the movie industry. (http://brasscreative.com)

The other, Lloyd, is a graduate of the Waukesha County Technical College culinary program. He has held many chef positions, but at this point in his life prefers hours that allow him to be an involved dad. “Lloyd was the creative genius at Hooligan’s when the pub food there was consistently voted No. 1 in Milwaukee,” Debbie says with pride.