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WAUKESHA, Wis. (December 10, 2024) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the return of Nicole Tindall as Bank Manager of its W. Sunset Drive office in Waukesha, located at S31 W25995 W. Sunset Drive.

“Nicole brings over 15 years of financial experience and a deep understanding of Waukesha State Bank’s culture, having served in various roles with us in the past,” stated Heather Pfalz, Waukesha State Bank Vice President – Retail Banking Manager. “We’re thrilled to have her back as part of our Retail Banking team, where she will play a key role in leading the W. Sunset Drive office and continuing to deliver exceptional service to our customers and community.”

Nicole first joined Waukesha State Bank in 2009 as a Teller, advancing through the ranks to roles including Teller Supervisor, Personal Banker, and eventually Bank Manager of both the W. Sunset Drive and Oconomowoc offices. In 2015, she transitioned to the bank’s Payroll Complete division as Business Development Associate. After a brief period away to explore other opportunities in banking and wealth management, Nicole is returning to once again manage the W. Sunset Drive office. In her new role, Nicole will oversee daily branch operations, including business development, customer service, lending, personnel management, relationship building, and community engagement.

In addition to her banking career, Nicole is an active volunteer in the local community, having served on the boards of organizations such as 180 Juvenile Diversion, the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, SummerStage of Delafield, and the Hope Center of Waukesha.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (December 6, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is proud to announce its partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLB Chicago) to award two $15,000 Community First® Accelerate Grants to Waukesha small businesses The Steaming Cup and North Pillar Brewing Co.

“Small businesses play a crucial role in our community, offering valuable products and services that enhance our local economy,” stated Waukesha State Bank President & CEO Ty Taylor. “It was an honor partnering with the FHLB Chicago to provide these opportunities to The Steaming Cup and North Pillar Brewing.”

Small businesses are facing challenges with growing or enhancing their operations due to surging borrowing costs in a high-interest rate environment. In response to this need, the FHLB Chicago awarded Accelerate Grants for a third year to support a variety of purposes, including the purchase or improvement of property, equipment, workforce development, and technology. FHLB Chicago member banks, credit unions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions submitted grant applications on behalf of eligible small businesses.

The Steaming Cup utilized their grant to upgrade their heating and air conditioning system, enhancing the comfort of their space. Meanwhile, North Pillar Brewing invested their grant in a new canning line, allowing them to offer four-packs of select beer in the to-go section of their taproom at 212 E. North Street. Looking ahead, they aim to expand their distribution to local restaurants, bars, and liquor stores, bringing their craft brews to even more customers.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (November 20, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a trusted full-service community bank with 14 locations across Waukesha County, is excited to announce the appointment of Darci Miller as Vice President - Commercial Banking Officer. This strategic addition reinforces the bank’s commitment to enhancing commercial banking services and strengthening relationships with businesses throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darci to our commercial banking team,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank Senior Vice President – Commercial Banking Manager. “Her extensive experience in commercial banking makes her an ideal fit for supporting the diverse needs of our business clients. We are confident that she will significantly contribute to our team and the local business community.”

With nearly 30 years of financial experience, Darci has built a distinguished career in the business banking sector. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, she served as Senior Vice President – Business Services for a local credit union and played a pivotal role in expanding market presence in the Greater Milwaukee area.

Darci holds both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Marquette University. In her new role, she will focus on prospecting, developing and managing commercial loan portfolios, ensuring that local businesses have access to the resources they need to thrive.

A strong advocate for community engagement, Darci is a member of Tempo Milwaukee, South Suburban Chamber of Commerce, and Muskego Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on the boards of several organizations, including Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services, the Public Policy Forum in Milwaukee, and Habitat for Humanity. Residing in Franklin with her family, Darci is dedicated to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.

Waukesha State Bank is thrilled to welcome Darci to the team and eagerly anticipates the valuable insights and leadership she will contribute to the commercial banking division.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (November 15, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a trusted full-service community bank with 14 locations across Waukesha County, is proud to announce the retirement of Patricia Witkowiak, Senior Vice President – Operations Manager. After 11 years of dedicated service and numerous contributions to the bank’s success, Witkowiak will embark on a well-deserved retirement journey, effective January 10, 2025.

In her place, we are excited to introduce Kristine Baxter as the new Senior Vice President – Operations Manager, who will bring fresh energy and expertise to the team. Additionally, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Jacob Pyle to Vice President - Risk Officer, further strengthening our commitment to excellence in operations, compliance and risk management.

“We are incredibly grateful for Pat Witkowiak’s years of service to Waukesha State Bank. She has been instrumental in driving our growth and operational success while fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation. Pat’s commitment to our mission has left a lasting impact on our organization and we wish her all the best in this new chapter of her life,” stated Ty R. Taylor, President & CEO of Waukesha State Bank. “Additionally, we look forward to the new perspectives that Kris and Jacob will bring as we continue to serve our community.”

Patricia Witkowiak joined Waukesha State Bank in 2013 as the Assistant Manager of Operations. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Vice President – Assistant Manager of Operations in February 2016, Vice President – Manager of Operations in July of 2016 and finally Senior Vice President – Manager of Operations in 2021. Throughout her tenure, she has managed the bank’s day-to-day operations, including security, information systems, facilities management, deposit compliance and Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) programs, while also spearheading new product development and implementation. Notably, she has played a key role in the opening of four new branches and the launch of various products and services, including mobile banking, online bill pay, online account opening, mobile wallets, and contactless debit cards.

"I am incredibly grateful for the past 11 years at Waukesha State Bank,” said Witkowiak. “It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented team and to contribute to our shared success. I look forward to my retirement with fond memories of my time here and wish Kris and Jacob all the best as they take on their new roles. I am confident that the bank will continue to thrive."

Kristine Baxter brings nearly 30 years of financial experience to Waukesha State Bank, with a distinguished career in operations, retail banking, and treasury management. Before joining Waukesha State Bank, she served as Manager of Commercial Treasury Management for Advia Credit Union, where she managed commercial banking online channels, vendor relationships, and implemented various products and services to meet client needs. In her new role as Senior Vice President – Operations Manager, Baxter will oversee the bank’s daily operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards. This includes streamlining processes to enhance service delivery, managing and training staff, and integrating new technologies to drive efficiency.

Baxter holds an associate degree in business and marketing from Gateway Technical College and is actively involved in her community. She currently serves on the board of directors for Walworth County Habitat for Humanity.

Jacob Pyle joined Waukesha State Bank in March 2024 as the Director of Internal Audit and has over six years of finance and risk management experience. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and his Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. Additionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant. In his new role as Waukesha State Bank’s Vice President - Risk Officer, Pyle will lead the bank’s risk management strategy and framework, identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to ensure financial stability and regulatory compliance. He will also manage the bank’s compliance team and serve as the bank’s Information Security Officer.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (October 24, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations across Waukesha County, is proud to announce the expansion of its mortgage lending team, reinforcing its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of homebuyers in Southeastern Wisconsin. The bank is pleased to welcome Nikolaus Sendelbach as Mortgage Consultant and promote Gerry Benton to the same position.

Leo Spanuello, Senior Vice President – Mortgage Lending Manager at Waukesha State Bank, shared his enthusiasm for the team’s growth, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our mortgage team with the addition of Nikolaus and Gerry. Their extensive experience in finance and sales, along with their dedication to customer service, positions them perfectly to support the needs and goals of local homebuyers.”

As Mortgage Consultants, Nikolaus and Gerry will be responsible for originating mortgage loans, which includes meeting with prospects, taking mortgage applications, counseling borrowers and developing relationships with Realtors, builders, financial service providers and various community groups.

Nikolaus Sendelbach brings 13 years of sales experience to Waukesha State Bank, having most recently served as a Mortgage Loan Originator for North Shore Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in finance from the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Actively engaged in the community, Nikolaus serves as Treasurer for the Bronco Booster Club, volunteers with the Hunger Task Force, and is a member of the Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association. He will primarily service the Muskego and New Berlin markets.

Gerry Benton began her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2017, serving as a personal banker across various locations, including E. Racine Avenue, E. Main Street, and Downtown Waukesha. In 2021, she was promoted to bank manager at the Meadowbrook Road location and later returned to manage E. Main Street. With over 15 years of financial experience, Gerry is also a 2020 graduate of the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Leadership Waukesha County program. She actively volunteers at Poplar Creek Church in New Berlin as a teen leader and mentor. Gerry will primarily service the E. Main Street and E. Racine Avenue offices in Waukesha.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (October 10, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a trusted full-service community bank serving Waukesha County through 14 convenient locations, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dawn Griesbach as Vice President - Commercial Banking Officer. This strategic addition underscores the bank’s commitment to enhancing its commercial banking services and fostering strong relationships with businesses in southeastern Wisconsin.

“We are excited to welcome Dawn to our commercial banking team,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank Senior Vice President – Commercial Banking Manager. “Her extensive financial background, coupled with her technical expertise, positions her perfectly to support the diverse needs of our business clients. We are confident that she will make significant contributions to our team and the local business community.”

Dawn brings nearly 30 years of comprehensive financial experience to Waukesha State Bank, with a distinguished career that spans both the business and retail banking sectors. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, she excelled as Vice President – Small Business Relationship Manager at Associated Bank, where she played a key role in nurturing small business growth and delivering tailored financial solutions.

In her new role as Vice President - Commercial Banking Officer, Dawn will be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial loan portfolios, ensuring that local businesses have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Dawn is deeply committed to community engagement. She actively volunteers with organizations such as the Hartford Business Improvement District (BID), Hartford Networking Group, the Medical Foundation of Hartford and Cedar Community in West Bend. Residing in Hartford with her family, Dawn is dedicated to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.

Waukesha State Bank is excited to have Dawn on board and looks forward to the invaluable insights and leadership she will bring to the commercial banking division.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (October 2, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a trusted full-service community bank serving Waukesha County through 14 convenient locations, proudly announces its remarkable achievement of receiving an “Outstanding” rating - the highest distinction possible - from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance. This prestigious rating reflects the bank’s unwavering commitment to uplifting low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities through significant lending, investment, and service initiatives evaluated between August 30, 2021 – July 8, 2024.

“We are honored to have received the highest CRA rating from the FDIC, which recognizes the tireless efforts of our team to support low- and moderate-income communities throughout our assessment area of Waukesha County,” stated Ty R. Taylor, President & CEO of Waukesha State Bank. “Our mission is rooted in making a lasting, positive impact – empowering business growth, fostering affordable home ownership, and enhancing local stability.”

The CRA exam rigorously assesses how well banks meet the credit needs of their service areas, particularly for LMI individuals, neighborhoods, and businesses. The evaluation encompasses community development loans, services, and investments, illustrating a comprehensive commitment to community support.

Achieving the “Outstanding” rating is a rare accomplishment, awarded to only a select group of financial institutions. The FDIC’s evaluation highlighted several key factors contributing to Waukesha State Bank’s top-tier rating, including:

Central to Waukesha State Bank’s mission is a deep commitment to serving its communities, reflected in its unwavering investment in fostering economic growth and enhancing the overall well-being of those it serves.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (July 30, 2024) - Waukesha Investments, located at Waukesha State Bank, is proud to announce the promotion of Miracle Hexom to Executive Financial Advisor.

"Miracle’s dedication and expertise have been invaluable to our clients and our team," stated Harry Mewes, Waukesha Investments Executive Financial Advisor & Manager. "Her promotion to Executive Financial Advisor reflects her outstanding contributions and our confidence in her ability to lead and inspire. We look forward to seeing her continue to elevate our financial advisory services to new heights."

Hexom joined Waukesha State Bank in 2011 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in finance and has worked for Waukesha Investments since 2012. She was promoted to Registered Services Representative in 2013, to Investment Representative in 2015 and to Financial Advisor in 2016. In her new role as Executive Financial Advisor, she will continue to provide financial planning services in addition to a variety of other advisory and non-advisory financial services, including retirement planning, portfolio reviews, retirement income planning, long-term care insurance, social security strategies, gifting and estate planning, rollovers and fee-based advisory options.

Hexom earned her Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC) designation in 2022 and her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification in 2020. Furthermore, she is registered as a general securities representative (Series 7) and as a uniformed securities agent (Series 63) in addition to holding her insurance licenses. She is committed to meeting the ever-changing investment and financial needs of her customers with financial planning experience and the highest level of personalized service.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (July 25, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, is excited to announce the addition of Mary Elder as the new Office Manager & Executive Assistant for their Wealth Management division.

“Mary's arrival marks a significant enhancement to our Wealth Management division," stated Victor Schultz, President & Chief Fiduciary Officer of Waukesha State Bank Wealth Management. "Her extensive experience and dedication to providing high-level support aligns perfectly with our commitment to exceptional customer service, transparency, and performance. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

Mary Elder comes to Waukesha State Bank Wealth Management with over 25 years of experience managing diverse corporate environments and supporting c-suite executives. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, she excelled as an Executive Assistant at Michael Best Strategies, LLC. In her new role, Mary will oversee the daily operations of the Wealth Management office and provide crucial support to the division’s President.

Mary holds an associate’s degree in applied science from Waukesha County Technical College and is active in the community volunteering with RiverGlen Christian Church.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (July 10, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has hired Christopher Poulos as vice president - commercial banking officer.

“We are pleased to welcome Christopher to our commercial banking team,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – commercial banking manager. “He brings both a broad financial background and the technical expertise we need to service the businesses of southeastern Wisconsin.”

Christopher has over 25 years of financial experience including both business and retail banking. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, Christopher worked for Associated Bank as vice president – sales manager in business banking. In his new role as vice president - commercial banking officer for Waukesha State Bank, Christopher will be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial loan portfolios.

Christopher is active in the community volunteering with the Wisconsin Humane Society and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. He and his family currently reside in Oconomowoc.

Established in 1944, Waukesha State Bank is one of the largest locally owned and independent community banks in Wisconsin, with full-service offices in Brookfield, Delafield, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Sussex and Waukesha. For more information, visit, www.waukeshabank.com. Member FDIC.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (June 21, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the retirement of Sue Ford after 33 years with the Bank.

“Sue’s loyalty and commitment to Waukesha State Bank, our ideals and every customer she came into contact with is immeasurable. We are deeply grateful for her service,” said Heather Pfalz, Waukesha State Bank Vice President and Retail Banking Manager. “On behalf of the entire bank, I want to thank Sue for her years of service and the positive impact she has had on so many customers and co-workers. Her unparalleled level of personal attention and friendly, professional support has fostered a devoted customer base that has grown dramatically each year. She will be greatly missed, and we all wish her the very best as she moves into a well-deserved retirement.”

Sue joined Waukesha State Bank in 1991 as a full-time Teller at the Downtown Waukesha office and enjoyed many years working the front line to help customers with their day-to-day financial transactions. In 2005, Sue was promoted to Bank Manager at our W. Sunset Drive location in Waukesha and in 2011 transitioned back to the Downtown Waukesha branch where she took on the role of Personal Banker. She was promoted to Lead Personal Banker in 2018 and to Assistant Manager in 2022, and currently manages the largest portfolio of retail banking customers at Waukesha State Bank.

To celebrate Sue’s career, Waukesha State Bank will be hosting a retirement open house event on Friday, June 28, from 1 – 3 PM, at their Downtown Waukesha location, 151 E. St. Paul Avenue.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (June 20, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has promoted Emily Kaeppel to Assistant Vice President – Learning & Development Director.

Kim Castillo Huntley, Waukesha State Bank Senior Vice President – Human Resources Director, remarked, “Emily has a passion for learning and unwavering commitment to enhancing her expertise, which makes her promotion well-deserved. Her extensive experience in leadership development, coaching, and training has been instrumental in our ongoing success.”

Emily Kaeppel brings over two decades of financial experience to her new role. Her career began in retail banking, and she transitioned into the learning and development industry in 2007. Since joining Waukesha State Bank in 2018 as Training Manager, Emily has been pivotal in fostering employee development and growth. In her new capacity as Assistant Vice President – Learning & Development Director, she will continue to lead the Learning and Development Department, driving initiatives that support professional growth and enhance employee capabilities across Waukesha State Bank.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (June 6, 2024) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Becki Lee-Taylor to bank manager of its New Berlin office located at 14000 W. National Avenue.

“Becki has been an integral member of our team and has grown her knowledge and skills consistently in varying roles. We are excited to welcome her back to our New Berlin office as a familiar face and the manager of the great team we have there,” stated Heather Pfalz, Waukesha State Bank vice president – retail banking manager. “This promotion is well deserved and reflective of Becki’s strengths in cultivating relationships, delivering high quality customer service and involving herself in our communities.”

Becki Lee-Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and started her career with Waukesha State Bank in February of 2021 as a customer service representative at the New Berlin office. Over the years, Becki has taken on increasing roles and responsibilities in the retail banking department including promotions to assistant team supervisor, team supervisor and personal banker, working at both the New Berlin and Waukesha - E. Racine Avenue offices. In her new role as bank manager of the New Berlin location, Becki will be responsible for all aspects of daily branch operations, including business development, personnel management, customer service, lending, relationship management and community service.

Becki is actively involved in her community. She currently volunteers as an aquarist at the Reiman Aquarium at the Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (May 24, 2024) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Stacey Saxe to bank manager of its Sussex office located at W249 N6688 Hwy. 164.

“We applaud Stacey’s commitment and enthusiasm for taking on leadership roles in key markets we serve,” stated Heather Pfalz, Waukesha State Bank vice president – retail banking manager. “She has consistently demonstrated a dedication to honing the skills and expertise necessary for advancing her career with the bank. Her commitment to the bank’s core values of prioritizing customer service and community involvement makes her an excellent candidate to lead our Sussex office.”

Stacey Saxe started her career with Waukesha State Bank as a teller supervisor in June of 2008 when the Waukesha State Bank Sussex branch opened. Over the years, Stacey has supported the retail banking area in a variety of leadership roles at the Sussex, Oconomowoc, W. Sunset Drive - Waukesha, Downtown Waukesha and Menomonee Falls locations. In her new role as bank manager of the Sussex location, Stacey will be responsible for all aspects of daily branch operations, including business development, personnel management, customer service, lending, relationship management and community service.

Established in 1944, Waukesha State Bank is one of the largest locally owned and independent community banks in Wisconsin, with full-service offices in Brookfield, Delafield, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Sussex and Waukesha. For more information, visit, www.waukeshabank.com. Member FDIC.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (April 2, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has hired Scott Weiland, Jr. as commercial banker and Erick Levandoski as loan servicing manager.

Scott Weiland, Jr. earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, Weiland worked for Bank Five Nine as a commercial credit analyst. In his new role as commercial banker with Waukesha State Bank, Weiland will be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial banking relationships.

“We are pleased to welcome Scott to our commercial banking team and continue our ongoing commitment to service excellence,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – commercial banking manager. “His background in commercial credit analysis makes him a perfect fit for this position.”

Erick Levandoski has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of lending including processing, underwriting, originating and servicing. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, Levandoski worked for Forte Bank as vice president - mortgage and retail operations. In his new role as loan servicing manager with Waukesha State Bank, Levandoski will be responsible for directing the daily work of the loan servicing department to meet departmental customer service standards and goals.

Suzanne Albrecht, Waukesha State Bank mortgage operations manager commented, “Erick’s extensive experience with all facets of lending in addition to his management and staff development skills, make him an excellent fit for this role.”

WAUKESHA, Wis. (March 21, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has promoted Suzanne Albrecht to mortgage operations manager.

“Suzie’s promotion is well deserved and reflective of her contributions to Waukesha State Bank’s mortgage lending success,” state Leo Spanuello, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – mortgage lending manager.

Suzanne Albrecht started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2016 as a mortgage systems analyst and has nearly 20 years of experience in technical support, technical architecture and financial management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and a Master of Business Administration degree from Ottawa University. In October of 2018, Albrecht was promoted to mortgage systems administrator/closing manager where she has led her team to service and standards excellence while continuing to be strategic with the department’s systems, processes, and efficiencies. In her new role as mortgage operations manager, Albrecht will be responsible for directing and managing the mortgage operations team, which includes the mortgage processing, secondary market, disclosure, closing and loan servicing staff.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (March 20, 2024) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the hire of Jacob Pyle as director of internal audit.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob to the Waukesha State Bank team,” stated Ann Pascavis, Waukesha State Bank Chief Financial Officer, SVP. “His prior financial background and risk management experience make him a perfect fit to manage our internal auditing department.”

Jacob Pyle has over five years of finance and risk management experience. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and his Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. Additionally, he is a Wisconsin Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, Pyle worked for Enlighten Financial as a risk consultant where he worked with both community banks and credit unions. In his new role as Waukesha State Bank’s director of internal audit, Pyle will be responsible for managing the Bank’s internal audit functions, which includes evaluating and monitoring the Bank’s internal control systems, policies and procedures designed to hedge risk and loss.

Pyle is active in the community volunteering with Make a Wish Foundation.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (March 14, 2024) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Juliet Martinez to bank manager of its Oconomowoc office located at 1227 Corporate Center Drive.

“We are thrilled to welcome Juliet back to Waukesha State Bank’s retail banking team,” stated Heather Pfalz, Waukesha State Bank vice president – retail banking manager. “Juliet has consistently demonstrated a focus on mastering the skills and knowledge necessary to grow her career with the bank. Her commitment to the bank’s ideals of serving our customers and the community makes her a great fit to lead our Oconomowoc office.”

Juliet Martinez started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2016 as a Waukesha West High School co-op student. In January of 2017, she was promoted to customer service representative and continued in this role while simultaneously attending the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Juliet was promoted to assistant teller supervisor in February of 2019, and after graduating with her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in general business, she was promoted again to personal banker in January of 2021. Her drive to support her customers and peers earned her a promotion to bank manager of the Waukesha State Bank Muskego office in November of 2021. In 2023, Juliet transitioned to the mortgage team and took on the role of mortgage consultant where she was responsible for originating mortgage loans for the last year. With her transition back to retail banking as a bank manager, Juliet will again be responsible for all aspects of daily branch operations, including business development, personnel management, customer service, lending, relationship management and community service.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (March 8, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has promoted Kyle Geis and Kristen Bulfer to the position of mortgage consultant - team lead. In their new positions, Geis and Bulfer will continue to originate mortgage loans in addition to mentoring and coaching assigned mortgage consultants in all facets of mortgage banking.

Leo Spanuello, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – mortgage lending manager, commented, “We are delighted to announce the promotions of Kyle and Kristen. Their extensive experience in mortgage lending, coupled with their dedication to customer service and leadership, positions them perfectly to transition into the newly created role of team lead.”

Kyle Geis started his career with Waukesha State Bank in 2006 as a teller. Over the next five years, he took on various roles and responsibilities within retail banking, ending as a personal banker. In 2011, he made a career shift to the mortgage team, assuming the role of a mortgage consultant. His tenure in this role has been notably successful, earning him the prestigious Best Loan Originator in Milwaukee award at the 2023 Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association’s Best in Business ceremony. Geis specializes in WHEDA, VA, USDA and construction loans and is committed to guiding his clients through the mortgage process, from start to finish. He and his family currently reside in Lisbon, and he primarily serves the Downtown Waukesha and Meadowbrook Road offices in Waukesha.

Kristen Bulfer joined the Waukesha State Bank team in March of 2017 as a mortgage consultant. She learned quickly and leveraged her strengths, which earned her the Rising Star award at the 2019 Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association’s Best in Business ceremony. In 2023, Bulfer’s continued growth and exceptional performance in the mortgage industry earned her the Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Banker of the Year for Milwaukee award. Bulfer holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and loves helping people achieve their home ownership goals by navigating the complex and ever-changing mortgage landscape. She and her family currently reside in Pewaukee, and she primarily serves the Menomonee Falls location.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (March 5, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has promoted Yer Yang to assistant vice president - assistant credit officer and Dan Flood to vice president – commercial banking officer.

Yer Yang earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and has nearly 20 years of financial experience. She started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2016 as a mortgage lending underwriter. In 2018, she transitioned to commercial banking as the workout specialist, and in 2019 she returned to mortgage banking as the mortgage operations manager. Her continuous dedication led to her promotion to assistant vice president in 2020. In her new role as assistant vice president – assistant credit officer, Yer will support in overseeing credit risk strategies and policies across the bank. This will include helping to manage the underwriting, approval and auditing processes for commercial, mortgage and retail lending.

Tina Neis, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – chief credit officer, commented, “Yer has consistently demonstrated a commitment to enhancing her skillset. This promotion is well-deserved and reflective of Yer’s extensive experience in both mortgage and commercial banking.”

Dan Flood joined the Waukesha State Bank team in 2017 as a credit analyst/portfolio manager within the commercial banking department. He was promoted to commercial banker in 2019 and to assistant vice president in 2022. In his new role as vice president – commercial banking officer, Flood will continue to be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial loan portfolios. Flood holds a bachelor’s degree in both finance and economics from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and is active in the community serving on the board of directors for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha Foundation.

“Dan’s promotion is well deserved and reflective of his contributions to the community and Waukesha State Bank’s commercial banking success,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – commercial banking manager.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (February 22, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the addition of Andy Gutierrez, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of ProHealth Care, Inc., to its Board of Directors.

“Our bank is fortunate to have an outstanding Board of Directors, and we are delighted to welcome Andy to our team,” stated Ty R. Taylor, Waukesha State Bank President & CEO. “His remarkable achievements in health care finance, as well as his insight into our local communities, make him invaluable to Waukesha State Bank as we continue to grow and serve the needs of southeastern Wisconsin.”

Andy Gutierrez has nearly 20 years of financial experience and serves as the CFO of ProHealth Care, Inc., a $1 billion health care system in southeastern Wisconsin – treating more than 400,000 patients per year. ProHeath Care is the parent company of both Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital. In his role at ProHealth Care, he is responsible for directing all fiscal activities, including financial analysis and reporting, financial controls, business analytics, budgeting processes, accounting, audit, treasury and analytical support to ensure the organization achieves their short-term and long-term business goals.

Andy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting and finance from Marquette University and his Masters of Business Administration from Carroll University. In addition to serving on the corporate board of Waukesha State Bank, Andy is active in the community serving on the Board of Directors for La Casa de Esperanza and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Additionally, he is a not-for-profit advisory committee member for the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and a health care expert panel member for the American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA).

Waukesha State Bank’s board roster also includes: Donna Bembenek, President, Catholic Memorial High School; Carl Geraldson, Chief Financial Officer, Precision Gears, Inc. (retired); Laura Gutiérrez, Executive Director, United Community Center; Jody Lowe, President, The Lowe Group; Kenneth P. Riesch, President, R & R Insurance Services, Inc.; Daniel R. Shepard, Executive Vice President, Waukesha State Bank (retired); Sarit Singhal, CEO, SSR/Total IT; Fred G. Stier, CEO, Stier Construction, Inc.; Ty R. Taylor, President & CEO, Waukesha State Bank; and Beverly M. Chappie, Director Emeritus, Executive Director, Christoph Memorial YWCA (retired).

WAUKESHA, Wis. (February 16, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has hired Rachel Priddy as assistant vice president - commercial banking officer.

“We are pleased to welcome Rachel to our commercial banking team,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – commercial banking manager. “She brings a broad financial background and the technical expertise businesses of southeastern Wisconsin desire from commercial bankers.”

Priddy has nearly 10 years of financial experience including both business and retail banking in addition to internal auditing expertise and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, Priddy worked for the State Bank of Newburg as a commercial loan officer. In her new role as assistant vice president - commercial banking officer, Priddy will be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial relationships.

Priddy is active in the community serving on the board of directors and as family outreach chair for Love 4 Lexi Foundation (L4L), a Cedarburg non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donation as well as helping children and families who are affected by gastrointestinal dysfunction and other life changing conditions.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (January 26, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the promotions of Stephanie Ohlfs to Senior Vice President, Heather Congemi to Vice President, and Amber Moore and Mirjam Conigliaro to bank officers.

“Stephanie, Heather, Amber and Mirjam are extremely talented banking professionals and have been instrumental in Waukesha State Bank’s success,” stated Ty R. Taylor, Waukesha State Bank President & CEO. “These promotions reflect the tenure and experience of our leadership, and I look forward to their continuing contributions to the future growth of our organization.”

Stephanie Ohlfs has nearly 20 years of community bank marketing experience and started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2014 as Marketing Director. She was promoted to Vice President in 2017, and in her new role as Senior Vice President – Marketing Director, she will continue to oversee the development and implementation of Waukesha State Bank’s marketing efforts including strategic planning and budgeting, branding, market research, public relations, event planning, charitable giving, and digital marketing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is active in the local community currently serving on committees with Donna Lexa Art Centers, the City of Waukesha, and Holy Apostles Catholic Church. Additionally, she is very involved in her kids’ school. She and her family currently reside in New Berlin.

Heather Congemi has nearly 40 years of industry experience and started with Waukesha State Bank in 1985 as a Teller. Over the years, she has taken on ever-increasing roles and responsibilities including Assistant Teller Supervisor, Teller Supervisor, Personal Banker, and Bank Manager for the former Silvernail Road and E. Moreland Road offices in Waukesha. She was promoted to Retail Loan Administration Officer in 2011 and assistant vice president in 2014. In her new role as Vice President – Retail Loan Administration Officer, Heather will continue to be responsible for managing the retail lending function of the bank including lender support and training, systems management, loan policies and procedures, and credit quality and underwriting. She and her family currently reside in Mukwonago.

Amber Moore joined the Waukesha State Bank team in 2011 as a Teller and has been promoted to a variety of new roles over the years, including positions within deposit services, retail support, retail operations, card services and fraud. As Waukesha State Bank’s current Fraud Investigations Manager, and with her new bank officer designation, Amber will continue to be responsible for managing fraud investigations for the bank, which includes minimizing and mitigating bank losses due to fraudulent checks, ACH transactions, ATM and debit card activity in addition to monitoring and researching suspicious activity and processing card cancellations, reissues, account holds and releases. Amber holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary French education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, graduated from the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Leadership Waukesha County program in 2017, and is active in the local community serving as Wisconsin Chapter Vice President of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, President-Elect for the Waukesha Kiwanis Noon Club and as a member of the Friends of Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry. She and her family currently reside in Oconomowoc.

Mirjam Conigliaro joined Waukesha State Bank in 2017 as the Electronic Banking Manager and has over 20 years of banking experience. With her new bank officer designation, Mirjam will continue to be responsible for managing the daily operations of the electronic banking department, which includes overseeing the bank’s treasury management products such as online banking, ACH origination, remote deposit and mobile deposit, check and ACH Positive Pay, online bill payment and wire transfers. As a German native, she earned her associate degree in banking from the Center for Financial Training in Pattonville, Germany. Additionally, she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the former Cardinal Stritch University. She is active in the community volunteering with Waukesha State Bank’s internal volunteer group, Helping Hearts. Through the group, she has participated in Salvation Army food serving, park clean-ups and the Dress-A-Bear program that benefits the Waukesha police and fire departments. She and her family currently reside in Menomonee Falls.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (January 25, 2024) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the expansion of its private banking services with the promotion of Mandy Litwin to private banking associate.

“Our private banking services launched in 2019, which gave us the opportunity to introduce more affluent members of the community to the excellent array of financial services and expertise that Waukesha State Bank offers,” stated Victor J. Schultz, President of Waukesha State Bank Wealth Management. “We are pleased to welcome Mandy to our wealth management team to expand these services. She has an extensive background in retail banking with Waukesha State Bank, which positions her well to offer high-touch, insightful customer service.”

Mandy joined Waukesha State Bank in 2017 as a teller and has continually honed her skills and taken on increasing roles and responsibilities over the years. She’s been promoted to mentor, customer service representative, assistant team supervisor, team supervisor, and personal banker before her most recent promotion in January 2023 to assistant bank manager of Waukesha State Bank’s Delafield office. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and in her new role as private banking associate, Mandy will be responsible for supporting the growth of private banking relationships as part of the wealth management division of Waukesha State Bank.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (December 22, 2023) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is proud to announce its partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLB Chicago) to award a $25,000 Community First® Accelerate Grant to Waukesha small business Karen For Hair LLC.

“Small businesses are vital members of our community and provide valuable products and services that contribute to our local economy,” stated Waukesha State Bank President & CEO Ty Taylor. “It was an honor partnering with the FHLB Chicago to provide this opportunity for Karen For Hair LLC.”

Small businesses are facing challenges with growing or enhancing their operations due to surging borrowing costs in a high-interest rate environment. In response to this need, the FHLB Chicago awarded Accelerate Grants for a second year to support a variety of purposes, including the purchase or improvement of property, equipment, workforce development, and technology. FHLB Chicago member banks, credit unions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions submitted grant applications on behalf of eligible small businesses.

Karen For Hair LLC will use the grant to install an ADA accessible ramp and invest in parking lot resurfacing to better serve their clients with disabilities.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (December 22, 2023) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the promotion of Oriana Ovalles to the position of bank manager of its Meadowbrook Road office in Waukesha. Additionally, existing bank managers will be moving to different offices within Waukesha. Gerry Benton, the current bank manager of Meadowbrook Road, will transition to the E. Main Street office, Jose Velez, the current bank manager at E. Main Street, will move to the E. Racine Avenue office, and Mondi Hernandez, the current E. Racine bank manager, will shift to the Downtown Waukesha office.

In their new roles, Ovalles, Benton, Velez and Hernandez will oversee all aspects of daily operations, including business development, personnel management, customer service, lending, relationship management and community service at their respective offices.

Oriana Ovalles earned her associate degree in human resources administration and her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Instituto Universitario de Tecnología in Venezuela and joined the Waukesha State Bank team in 2018 as a teller at our Downtown Waukesha office. Her positive personality, proficiency in Spanish and meticulous attention to detail endeared her to the Downtown Waukesha community. In 2019, she transferred to the E. Racine Avenue office in Waukesha and began to grow her knowledge and career. Progressing from handling new accounts to becoming an office mentor, she earned promotions to assistant team supervisor and team supervisor. In March 2023, she took on lending and was promoted to personal banker and in May to assistant bank manager. As Waukesha State Bank’s newest bank manager, Ovalles is looking forward to leading the Meadowbrook Road team.

Gerry Benton started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2017, supporting various locations as a personal banker, including E. Racine Avenue, E. Main Street and Downtown Waukesha. In 2021, she was promoted to bank manager of the Meadowbrook Road location and now looks forward to transitioning back to her roots to manage E. Main Street. Benton has over 15 years of financial experience and is a 2020 graduate of the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Leadership Waukesha County program. She is active in the local community volunteering with Poplar Creek Church in New Berlin as a teen leader/mentor.

Jose Velez has nearly 20 years of management and banking experience and started with Waukesha State Bank in 2017 as a personal banker at the Downtown Waukesha office. In 2020, he was promoted to bank manager of the E. Main Steet office in Waukesha and will now transition to manage the E. Racine Avenue location. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico – San German and is active in his community volunteering with Ebenezer Christian Church as their leader of Marriage Ministry and Worship Ministry.

Mondi Hernandez, a Waukesha native with nearly 20 years of industry experience, began her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2005. Over the years, she has held varying positions at the bank including teller, assistant teller supervisor and personal banker before being promoted to bank manager of the former Silvernail Road office in 2014. She transitioned to bank manager of the W. Sunset Drive, Waukesha office in 2015 and then to the bank manager of E. Racine Avenue, Waukesha office in 2016. She was promoted to assistant vice president in 2019, regional retail banking manager in 2020 and vice president in 2022. In her new role as vice president – central region retail banking manager, Hernandez will transition to manage the Downtown Waukesha location and oversee the central Waukesha State Bank region, which includes the Downtown Waukesha, W. Sunset Drive and Mukwonago offices. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, is a 2016 graduate of Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Leadership Waukesha County program and is active in the community serving as Board President for the Waukesha Choral Union.