Cheryl on her 25th anniversary with the bank, in June.
If you’re reading this, you at least know Human Resources rep Cheryl Fregoso by name — she sends out the email announcing a new edition of this very newsletter each week. And now, after 25 years at North Shore Bank, she’ll retire next Friday, October 1.
“I truly wasn’t expecting to stay here — I literally remember thinking that when I started,” Cheryl says, looking back on when she was hired as a customer assistance rep — one on a team of five — in June 1996. “But I felt appreciated from the very beginning and settled in quickly to the North Shore Bank family. I know it is corny to say that, but it truly is like a family.”
Before she transferred to HR in 2002, Cheryl’s favorite thing about her big work family was fielding calls from branches and getting to know so many employees. “And when I came to HR, I was able to get to know so many more!” she says. “I’ve loved being a part of creating a family atmosphere that sets North Shore apart from other banks and workplaces. I’m a person who loves to help people when I can, and I feel that was a big part of my job.”
“She is truly the consummate HR representative, in that she takes time to know all of the employees and serves all of them with a smile and respect,” SVP HR and compliance Molly Schissler says. “Cheryl immediately made me feel right at home, and I know she’s done that for countless North Shore Bank employees over the years.”
“She is the face of NSB! No one comes on board or leaves the company without going through her,” payroll and benefits manager AVP Cindy Lohrey says. “She has meant so much to so many people during her time here. She makes each employee feel as if they are family and worth every minute of her time.”
“Cheryl is truly the glue that holds HR together,” training and internal communications manager VP Milene Below says. “She supports all of our programs and processes in some way and keeps us all in check! Her insight and knowledge have been so valuable over the years. And without even trying, she sets such a fun and positive tone in HR. There’s a sense of camaraderie, thanks to her outgoing personality.”
Talent acquisition manager Janet Rosenthal says Cheryl was “extremely shocked” to win a SOAR Award for Outstanding Service in 2019.
“She is so humble,” Janet says. “I don’t think Cheryl realizes what an integral part of the organization she has been and how much we all value her! Employees referred to her as a ‘saint’ in the award survey, and she will leave with that legacy.”
Her HR co-workers agreed that one thing they’ll miss most is Cheryl’s witty sense of humor and infectious laugh.
“She always kicks off everyone’s day in a positive way. Her laugh is hilarious and makes you laugh even more!” Milene says.
“I dare anyone not to laugh when she does,” Cindy adds.
“One year, the HR team went to ComedySportz for our departmental celebration, and I still remember her laughing so hard she cried — and she got the rest of us to do the same,” Molly recalls.
“Cheryl is often the first face new employees see, and what a great representative she is. Cheerful, friendly, helpful, and professional — everything that embodies what North Shore is,” president Jay McKenna says. “And since we often park our cars next to each other, she is also often the first co-worker I encounter each day. I will miss her friendly smile and greeting, as will everyone else.”
“Every internal and external physical contact with our HR department passes through Cheryl. I cannot think of a better individual to represent the bank,” chairman and CEO Jim McKenna says. “She is truly a professional, with a warm, caring approach and always with a smile. I will miss sharing stories and her wonderful laugh. I will always think of her as a friend.”
As for Cheryl herself, she says she has no regrets about her career here. And now she’s looking forward to being able to go anywhere, at any time.
“My husband has been retired for eight years, and it’s time to join him,” she says. They’re looking forward to traveling as the COVID-19 pandemic calms down. “This has been a great ride, with a great group of people who really care about each other.”