AROUND THE BANK

Upgraded full-color signs simplify management of messaging

North Shore Bank is enhancing its community presence by upgrading our existing signs with new full-color Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) at several branch locations. These modern digital signs represent an important upgrade in how the bank communicates with customers and the community.

Product Manager Mary Ott said updating the signs allows the marketing department to centrally manage the messaging. “This reduces the workload for the branches and allows the bank to push out consistent and timely messages,” she said.

The new technology also solves a previous logistical challenge. “In the past, we had to send each branch a USB drive to share updated images for their signs. Now, marketing can create an image and push them out the same day if needed,” she explained. One of the significant advantages of the new system is the flexibility it offers. “The technology used by marketing allows us to schedule the messaging based on campaign dates and the municipality sign code,” Mary said.

The full-color EMCs have been installed at multiple locations, including Cudahy, Southridge, Sturgeon Bay, Allouez, Northland, Howard-Suamico, Burlington, Kenosha Main, and Muskego. This summer, additional installations are planned for the West De Pere and Grafton offices.

Tim Dotson, Vice President, Facilities & Services Manager, shared information about the Corporate office/Brookfield Square branch location, next in line to receive the upgrade. “The project here at corporate (Brookfield Square) is in progress. The work won’t be done for another couple of weeks, followed by landscaping,” he said.

The corporate headquarters sign project involved careful planning and consideration as it serves both our Corporate headquarters and the branch located inside. “We spent about a year working on new designs for the monument sign at the Corporate headquarters and involved multiple contractors in the design process. The signage we decided on, along with the planned landscaping changes, will increase the visibility of the sign and readability of the EMC,” Tim said. The sign will be a three-sided monument sign.

The new EMC system brings consistency and efficiency to the bank’s external communications. “It’s far more efficient and utilizes people on the marketing team who are super talented at creating the messages that go out, making for very consistent representation of our brand and messaging across all the sites,” Tim said.

For North Shore Bank customers, these vibrant new signs mean more timely information about bank services, community events, and special promotions as they visit their local branches.

 

RETIREMENTS

Ron Olson to retire after 40+ years at North Shore Bank

After more than 40 years of dedicated service, Ron Olson is retiring from North Shore Bank this week. His journey through the organization has included roles as Teller, Consumer Loan Representative, New Account Representative, Teller Supervisor at the Northwest office, and Branch Manager for 10 years at Bayshore.

In 2000, Ron moved to the Corporate office as Consumer Loan Servicing Manager, then Commercial Loan Servicing Manager, and finally, in 2010, into his current position as Loan Operations Process and Risk Analyst in the Servicing-Commercial department. 

Ron’s banking career began after managing shifts at Marc’s Big Boy Restaurants for a few years. “I wanted to change direction and eventually progress to an office-type job following in the footsteps of my father, who worked for an insurance company for 35+ years,” Ron shares. “With administrative and accounting skills I had from college, I got an entry-level job as a teller with North Shore Savings and Loan. Turned out well from there!”

When asked about his fondest memories at North Shore Bank, Ron recalls the social aspects of branch life. “The best times, when I was back in the branch, were when we had gatherings of the branches with quarterly sales awards dinners, the annual picnic, or playing on the softball team. Great to meet others face to face and make friends,” he said. The relationships he built have stood the test of time, as Ron notes, “I have long-time friends from North Shore with whom I will continue to be active with after retirement. That’s a great thing!”

As for retirement plans, Ron and his wife are ready for warmer climates and new adventures. They plan to visit the remaining states and national parks they haven’t seen yet, enjoy cruises, and embark on international trips to London, Paris, and the Mediterranean. Ron is “looking to stay active 365 days a year.”

Ron’s colleagues have nothing but praise for their departing teammate. Theresa Krznarich, Commercial Loan Servicing Team Leader, who has worked with Ron for 15 years, has appreciated Ron’s deep knowledge of the loan systems and products, and his mentoring throughout the years. Along with all that knowledge, though, is someone fun to work with. “Ron has a great sense of humor, which will be missed. He is also a renowned foodie, so we will be lost without his restaurant recommendations. His chicken salad is world famous!” she said.

Vice President, Commercial Loan Servicing Manager Cheryl Lang reflected on her 20-year working relationship with Ron: “Ron is such a detailed and logical person, which has served him extremely well in his role as our business analyst. With reviewing loans, reporting, projects, conversion, and acquisition data, I always could trust that he would find if anything were amiss.” Adding, “Ron is so funny, calm, and kind, so whenever I could use some advice with a side of sarcasm, Ron has been my go-to.”

The personal connection Cheryl shares with Ron is evident: “Ron asked me recently how many years I have until retirement (which is just his way of reminding me I have a long time) to which I really couldn’t say how many, but I did say something to the effect that the last 19 have been pretty fun because he’s been here with me. Ron has been a wonderful mentor, colleague, and friend, and I will truly miss him dearly.”

Nicole McKenzie, Senior Commercial Loan Servicing Analyst, simply states what many are feeling: “Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Ron! Thank you for everything, and you’ll truly be missed.”

Ron expressed sincere appreciation for his team members—Cheryl, Theresa, Nicole, Commercial Loan Servicing Analyst Kathy Tetzlaff, and Commercial Loan Servicing Analyst Shakara Bobo. He describes them as “a great team—a joy to work with—always backing each other up and a lot of laughs, and all do a great job for the bank!” He also extends special thanks to Vice President, Loan and Treasury Operations Nicole Daniels for “keeping me challenged and involved.”

As Ron prepares for his next chapter, he leaves colleagues with this advice: “Know your role and take advantage of opportunities to use your skills and advance.”

Congratulations, Ron, as you head into your well-deserved retirement!

 

NORTH SHORE STARS

Olson, Dionisio honored with WBA Lifetime Service Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wisconsin Bankers Association recently honored Loan Operations Process and Risk Analyst Ron Olson and Cash Flow Coordinator Denise Dionisio with Lifetime Service Awards in recognition of their long service and dedication to the industry and our community. These awards are for bankers who have served in the industry for 30 to 40 years.

We are grateful to Ron and Denise for their many years of outstanding service in banking. Each received a plaque from the WBA in March to celebrate their achievement. Congratulations, Denise and Ron, and thank you for your many years of excellence!

 

BANK ON KINDNESS

Bank team helps first-ever gala raise $43,000 for veterans, military

North Shore Bank employees made a positive impact at the inaugural Big Unit Gala on March 22 at the River Club of Mequon. The special evening raised over $43,000 to support veterans, military members, first responders, and their families. 

Community Engagement Manager Farrah Mason co-chaired the event, helped secure donations for the auctions, and recruited volunteers. Mequon Teller Yana Nazarenka volunteered with Farrah at the gala, running the registration table and taking payments for the live and silent auctions. Mortgage Loan Originator Claudio Lanza hosted guests at the North Shore Bank-sponsored table. Farrah’s 13-year-old son, Brock, even helped out! 

Farrah and her husband, who is a retired police officer, heard about the gala because they have attended other events the Big Unit Foundation sponsors. The Big Unit Foundation, started in 2024 by Wisconsin sports radio personality Bill Michaels (known as “the Big Unit”) and his fiancee, is dedicated to providing direct financial support and resources to those who serve our communities and our country. Farrah said funds raised from the gala will help veterans, members of the military, and first responders with medical expenses. 

The evening featured retired U.S. Army Captain Dan Buttery (former President and CEO of the War Memorial Center) as the guest speaker, exciting live and silent auctions, and fantastic live music. Buttery gave an overview of recent wars and honored individuals in the room who had served. In addition, the foundation made donations to the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber and the Center for Veterans Issues live at the event. 

The event was so successful, Farrah said, the foundation has already booked the same location for the gala next year.

“It ended up even more successful than we thought it would be,” she said. “People really gave!”

Thank you to our bank employees who helped make this event a success! 

 

 

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Scavenger hunt brings teams together for fun, connection

Employees recently participated in a bank-wide scavenger hunt that brought together staff from across departments and branches in a fun, interactive experience. The two-day event featured corporate employees hunting for clues on one day, while branch employees took up the challenge on a separate day.

“We are always looking for fun activities for employees to do,” explained Shannan Mahloch, Senior Loan Funding Representative and event organizer. 03186 “We thought it would be a good way for employees to interact with each other in a fun and minimally disruptive way.”

The scavenger hunt featured clues specifically related to each department, giving participants a chance to learn more about different areas of the bank while solving puzzles. Corporate teams were given a two-hour block to complete their hunt, while branch teams had their two hours split between morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate varying customer traffic throughout the day.

Teams showed their creativity right from the start with clever team names. One standout team used the first initial of each team member to spell out “CENT” – a fitting bank-related name! Three teams with particularly creative names were awarded $50 VISA gift cards in recognition of their efforts.

All teams that completed the hunt were entered into a random drawing, with winners receiving 50 Seymour bucket list points per team member.

This expanded event built upon a smaller-scale scavenger hunt organized by the Emerging Leaders Group last year. “We wanted to figure out a way to do it bank wide, so we spoke with (Accounting Operations Manager) Kristin Monday to get a better understanding of how they ran theirs,” Mahloch said.

Mahloch expressed special thanks to Allouez Assistant Branch Manager Aubrey Abrahamson and Debit Card/ATM Processing Specialist Katie Thommes, who were instrumental in organizing the event. “They were such an enormous help,” Mahloch said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without them.”

Corporate Winning Teams

The Deposit Detectives

• Beth Wianecki
• Kristin Monday
• Emily VandenHeuvel
• Emily Glapinski

Team Treasury

• Loretta Bondi
• Nicole Daniels
• Jeff Marsho
• Paris Reed

Raiders of the Loan Ark

• Melissa Wantuch
• Gina Bontempo
• Laura Habighorst
• Emily Curro

Branch Winning Teams

Flock of Seagulls—New Berlin Team

• Kevin Esser
• Ava Howland
• Sara Swosinski

The Caffeine Cartel—Racine Northside Team

• Lexie Lawler
• Kelly Elliott
• Anna Shaner
• Lisa Young
• Susan Liedel

The Wonderous Wanderers—Travelling Teller Team

• Dawn Conley
• DeDe Krause
• Deb Price
• Lakya Whitmore

Most Creative Team Names

I Thought This Was Speed Dating

• Dawn Foster
• Kari Tuyls
• Kat Grunert
• Nani Rodriguez
• Adrianna Mendoza

High Maintenance

• Joe Ebel
• Jeff Dolezal
• Tim Dotson
• Colleen Moore

Raiders of the Loan Ark

• Melissa Wantuch
• Gina Bontempo
• Laura Habighorst
• Emily Curro

 

What’s new with you? Share it with Shorelines!

Just a reminder that we’re always looking for fun and exciting things to share in Shorelines.  Whether it’s a special event at your branch or a shout-out to one of your coworkers, a great trip you went on with family or friends, information about a half-marathon you’re running, or even just a fantastic photo you took over the weekend, we’d love to share it! Please email shorelines@northshorebank.com to have your news included in a future issue.

 

Customer Loyalty Tip of the Week

Get enough sleep and take care of your health. It’s easier to do a great job when you feel good!

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• Best Practices for Business Fraud Prevention and Being a Scam-Savvy Customer | Saturday, April 12 (11:00 AM) | North Shore Bank – Community Room | 4230 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI