New CEO Jay McKenna on North Shore’s past and future
As we celebrate a century of history, we move into the future: North Shore Bank is proud to announce to employees that Jay McKenna has been named president and chief executive officer of the company.

The news will be announced to the public on Monday. Former CEO Jim McKenna will continue to serve as executive chairman.

Jay talked to Shorelines about his new role and what lies ahead for North Shore Bank. Read what he had to say now.

Throwback Thursday: North Shore adds Southwest

While our corporate headquarters has had a number of homes over the last 100 years, our second location has never moved too far. North Shore Savings opened the Southwest branch at 9115 West Oklahoma Avenue (pictured above) in southwest Milwaukee just over 50 years ago, in October 1972.

First Federal Savings (at right) occupied the original Southwest location before North Shore moved in. Bank officials were all smiles at the ribbon cutting, as you can see at right as well.

In 1985, the branch made its one big move — just around the corner to a new building at 9131 West Oklahoma, right behind the original location. The lot had previously been home to a gas station.

The grand opening celebration for the new and improved Southwest branch would last more than a week and feature local and national celebrities including WTMJ radio personality Gordon Hinkley, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Rollie Fingers, and Green Bay Packers linebacker John Anderson — as well as Seymour Savings’s carnivorous predecessor, Homer the North Shore Lion. Attendees who moved fast enough could also lay claim to a free geranium.

Since then, the Southwest building has enjoyed the occasional facelift and upgrade, but remained in its place, now under the thoughtful stewardship of branch manager Joline Lazarski and her team. •••

Share pics, stories from Staff Appreciation Days!

Have you been enjoying Staff Appreciation Days? We want to hear — and see! — all about what your team has been up to. Share your photos and stories at shorelines@northshorebank.com (or use the handy submissions page). Ask Seymour has more information on this centennial celebration, which winds down tomorrow. •••

HeartLove Place honors MLK Drive with award

Milwaukee nonprofit HeartLove Place has recognized the MLK Drive branch with an award for community involvement and support.

HeartLove Place has served the nearby Harambee neighborhood for 30 years. Along with the programs offered through its family resource center, the organization provides mental health support, social opportunities, food and catering services (including school breakfasts and lunches, summer meals, and culinary training), an urban camp offering art and nature education, and gardening lessons and produce from its Peace Park Garden.

“It has been an honor to work directly with Viola Rembert, the director of HeartLove Place,” said MLK Drive branch manager Angela Byrd, who is helping the nonprofit provide financial literacy education. “Besides our branch’s partnership with the group, we’ve built a personal banking relationship, and Viola is in the process of bringing the organization’s business account to us. She also continues to refer others to MLK Drive for banking opportunities.” •••

McEvoy wins bonus for referring new hires
Sister Bay teller Marlese McEvoy won the fourth-quarter bonus for referring new employees.

“I refer people to North Shore Bank because I enjoy working here and doing my best to help my customers,” she says. “Living in a small community gives me the chance to really get to know and work with people, to help them live their best financial lives.”

She adds: “I was very surprised to win the referral bonus and want to say thank you so much.”

Congratulations, Marlese! More information about the bank’s job referral program is on Ask Seymour. •••

New Hires for January 19
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Commercial loan servicing analyst Shakara Bobo is from Milwaukee and has worked in banking, in business lending, for 16 years. She enjoys traveling with her family and tries to book trips to at least four states each year. “For myself, this year I’ve planned first to go skydiving, and then to later go parasailing,” she says. “My mind tricks me into thinking that I am afraid of heights and of going over water, so I need to make some fun out of it.” •••

Enjoy tastings, more at Burlington chamber auction
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.

Looking for more to do? Here are suggestions from the bank’s event calendar:

The 79th annual Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce Auction and Winter Tasting Tour will be tomorrow, Friday, January 20, at Hawk’s View Golf Club in Lake Geneva. Along with the auction and bourbon, beer, and wine tasting opportunities — as well as lots of delicious hors d’oeuvres — the event will feature a raffle and 50/50. Buying a ticket enters you for a chance at a $1,000 travel voucher (which you must be present to win). More info here. •••