How many years have you been in banking?
I started my banking career with a part-time job in 1983. I have held a wide variety of positions in customer service, operations and lending but about half of my career has been in SBA Lending.
Why do you enjoy working at BankCherokee?
BankCherokee has a wonderful reputation as a local bank that partners with businesses to help them succeed. This is important to me because the favorite part of my job is getting to be a part of those success stories. Working with the SBA Lending Team at Bank Cherokee to help small businesses grow, expand and achieve their goals is very rewarding. I enjoy helping businesses discover the benefits of SBA lending.
How long have you lived in the area?
I have lived in MN my whole life. I enjoy MN because of the lakes. I love spending time in Northern MN on the water boating, fishing, swimming and my favorite water activity is paddle boarding.
I will always consider Minnesota home but my husband and I are also residents of Florida and spend part of our winter in Florida. I’m grateful for the technology and remote working opportunities which make this possible. And being in warm weather gives me the opportunity to work on my golf and pickleball games – both of which need all the help they can get.
What organizations are you involved with outside of the bank?
I am passionate about volunteerism in general and serving others. I am just finishing a 3-year term as a board member for The Link. They are a very important organization that serves youth and families experiencing homelessness, sex trafficking and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system.
In 2022 My husband and I helped with Ukrainian refugee efforts in Poland and helped those affected by the devastation of hurricane Ian in Florida.
I have a long past history as a SCORE volunteer leading a section of their Simple Steps programs and Veteran program for individuals and Veterans looking to get into business.
What was your best vacation ever?
I traveled to Europe for a month in October 2022. I traveled to four countries starting with a mission trip to Poland, a trip to Germany to visit family and finished with a trip to France and England to celebrate my 35th wedding anniversary It was the trip of a lifetime!
Outside of work what do you enjoy most?
My family – we have so much fun when we are together! I have two grown daughters, a son-in-law and I welcomed my first grandson in April 2022 – He is adorable!
