Newsroom

WAUKESHA, Wis. (June 5, 2023) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the retirement of Devon Arnold, senior vice president – retail banking manager. After 45 years of dedicated service and numerous contributions to the bank’s success, Arnold will embark on a well-deserved journey of retirement, effective June 16, 2023.

“Devon’s loyalty to Waukesha State Bank’s values, employees, customers and our community over the past 45 years is immeasurable. His commitment to excellence and exceptional leadership created a strong, successful and dedicated retail banking division for our organization, and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude,” said Ty Taylor, Waukesha State Bank President & CEO. “On behalf of the entire bank, I want to thank Devon for his years of service and the enduring legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire and guide our team. We wish him the very best as he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.”

Arnold began his career with Waukesha State Bank in 1978 as a coin wrapper while in high school. He fondly remembers helping wherever was needed, including processing mail, filing checks by hand, preparing checking statements, counting cash, running errands and performing maintenance tasks.

Arnold continued his career with the bank as a part-time teller while pursuing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After graduating, Arnold became a full-time teller, worked for multiple years in the loan servicing department and took on consumer lending responsibilities. In 1990, he began his retail career focus with his first bank manager position at the Waukesha State Bank’s “Sun Branch” (now closed) adjacent to Sun Foods grocery store on Manhattan Drive in Waukesha. During this time, he was promoted to an officer of the bank and also held the assistant cashier title. Arnold went on to open the bank’s Silvernail Road office in Waukesha (now closed) and also served as the interim manager of the bank’s W. Sunset Drive office in Waukesha for a year.

In 1994, Arnold was promoted to assistant vice president and was chosen to open the bank’s Delafield office. Arnold immersed himself in the Delafield community, connected with Delafield businesses and was an integral part of the success of Waukesha State Bank’s newest branch. During this time, Arnold was an active board member and held numerous leadership positions with the Delafield and Hartland Chambers of Commerce, the Delafield-Summit Lions Club, and the Greater Delafield Community Fund. He was recognized for his service to the Lions Club organization with the distinguished Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. In 1998, Devon was promoted to vice president in recognition of his success in Delafield.

In 2003, Arnold was promoted to fill the newly created position of retail banking manager. In this role, Arnold oversaw the opening of 10 additional retail offices, the creation of the Customer Service Center, the development of Waukesha State Bank’s retails sales program, and the evolution of the bank’s retail products, staffing structure, systems and procedures. In addition, he was responsible for employee growth and leadership development. Devon also managed the bank’s Waukesha Investments division, which has seen consistent growth in assets under management, revenue, and staff. In 2021, Devon was recognized with a promotion to senior vice president.

“I am so proud to be a part of the bank’s story and it has been quite a journey,” stated Devon Arnold, Waukesha State Bank Senior Vice President – Retail Banking Manager. “My career has been filled with such rich and rewarding experiences with customers, community organizations, and a great team of bankers. I am looking forward to this new chapter and filling my time with family and friends as well as new adventures and experiences.”

WAUKESHA, Wis. (May 1, 2023) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Liz Lijewski to assistant vice president - bank manager of its Mukwonago office and Mandy Gosseck to bank manager of its New Berlin office.

In their new positions, Lijewski and Gosseck will be responsible for all aspects of daily operations, including business development, personnel management, customer service, lending, relationship management and community involvement at their respective offices.

“Liz has demonstrated strong leadership as the manager of our New Berlin office, and we are pleased that she is bringing her passion and experience to lead our Mukwonago office. Mandy has also 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 Devon Arnold, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – retail banking manager. “These individuals have a track record of success combined with a commitment to our core philosophy of providing the highest level of customer service which makes them a perfect fit for these roles.”

Liz Lijewski started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2010. She has held varying positions at the Bank from teller to customer service representative, assistant teller supervisor, personal banker and most recently bank manager of the New Berlin office. Liz is active in the local community serving as a mentor and advisory committee member for the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Leadership Waukesha program. She also volunteers with SecureFutures to teach financial literacy to area students.

Mandy Gosseck joined Waukesha State Bank in 2016 as a teller supporting multiple bank offices and was quickly promoted to assistant teller supervisor and moved to Waukesha State Bank’s New Berlin office. In 2018, Mandy was promoted to teller supervisor-personal banker and earlier this year to assistant bank manager of Waukesha State Bank’s E. Racine Avenue location in Waukesha. She is excited to return to New Berlin with her newest promotion to bank manager.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (April 3, 2023) - Waukesha State Bank is celebrating Community Banking Month, throughout April, with a variety of pay it forward events including food drives, lunches for first responders, nonprofit donations and much more.

“Community Banking Month is a chance for Waukesha State Bank, as one of the largest independent, community banks in the state of Wisconsin, to celebrate our role in strengthening our local communities,” said Stephanie Ohlfs, Waukesha State Bank Vice President – Marketing Director.

Follow Waukesha State Bank’s social media pages and #PayItForwardPatrol to find out where our staff will be throughout the month. If you find us, you could receive something special.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (March 15, 2023) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the retirement of Irma Mesura after 46 years with the Bank.

“Irma’s loyalty and commitment to Waukesha State Bank, our ideals and every customer she came into contact with is immeasurable. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude,” said Devon Arnold, Waukesha State Bank Sr. Vice President and Retail Banking Manager. “On behalf of the entire bank, I want to thank Irma for her years of service and the positive impact she has had on so many customers and co-workers. She consistently shared a unique level of genuine friendliness and took a sincere interest in everyone she touched. It is no surprise that Irma has a loyal following of customers, friends and a work family that will miss her greatly. We wish her the very best as she enjoys a well-deserved retirement.”

Mesura joined Waukesha State Bank in 1976 as a part-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. For the past 15 years, Mesura has served as the Downtown Waukesha Receptionist, acting as the friendly face every customer sees when they walk in the doors. Her bilingual ability has been an asset over the years, building business for the bank and fostering long-standing relationships with customers.

To celebrate Mesura’s career, Waukesha State Bank will be hosting a retirement open house event on Friday, March 24, from 10 AM – 3 PM, at their Downtown Waukesha location, 151 E. St. Paul Avenue.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (February 20, 2023) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Juliet Martinez to mortgage consultant.

“We are thrilled to welcome Juliet to the mortgage banking team and look forward to seeing the ways in which she continues to apply her customer service skills and banking expertise to the borrowers of Southeastern Wisconsin,” stated Robert B. Helvey, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – mortgage lending manager.

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 her new role as mortgage consultant, Juliet 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.

Juliet will be based out of the Waukesha State Bank locations at E. Main Street and E. Racine Avenue in Waukesha and will service all of Southeastern Wisconsin.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (January 4, 2023) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations in Waukesha County, has promoted Holly Garza to mortgage consultant.

“Holly has consistently demonstrated a focus on mastering the skills and knowledge necessary to grow her career with the bank. This promotion is well deserved and reflective of Holly’s contributions to our team and our mortgage customers,” stated Robert B. Helvey, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – mortgage lending manager.

Garza joined Waukesha State Bank in August 2018 as a teller and has held varying positions on the retail side of the bank including teller supervisor and personal banker. She transitioned to sales assistant of the mortgage team in April 2021 where she worked directly with senior lenders to build her skills in mortgage lending. With her promotion to mortgage consultant, she 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.

Garza will be based out of the Waukesha State Bank location at S31 W25995 W. Sunset Drive in Waukesha and will service all of Southeastern Wisconsin.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (December 21, 2022) - Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 offices in Waukesha County, has hired L. Wesley MCKenzie III as assistant vice president - commercial banking officer.

“We are pleased to welcome Wesley 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.”

MCKenzie has over 10 years of broad financial experience including business and retail lending in addition to collections and operations expertise. Prior to joining Waukesha State Bank, MCKenzie worked for US Bank as a business banking specialist. In his new role as assistant vice president - commercial banking officer, MCKenzie will be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial loan portfolios.

MCKenzie is active in the community serving on the board of directors for UniteWI and Generation of Excellence Trendsetters. He is also an ordained minister serving at Abundant Faith Church of Integrity in addition to being an avid cyclist and completing a Century ride annually. He and his family currently reside in Milwaukee.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (November 21, 2022) – Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank with 14 locations in Waukesha County, awarded 20, $1,000 scholarships to incoming freshmen at Carroll University.

“We are proud to have supported Carroll University scholarships for the last 26 years,” said Ty Taylor, President and CEO of Waukesha State Bank. “Our annual scholarship commitment demonstrates our pledge to education and our local students.”

Waukesha State Bank began their Carroll University scholars’ program in 1996 to support Carroll students, from Waukesha County, in their freshmen year. Scholarships are awarded based on extracurricular activities, community service and job experience. To date, the program has impacted over 480 Carroll students.

“We are grateful for Waukesha State Bank’s continued commitment to Carroll University and our students,” said Dawn Scott, Vice President of Enrollment for Carroll University. “Through the years, many of the local students supported by Waukesha State Bank scholarships have stayed in the area and continued their impact through work, family and volunteerism.”

The twenty 2022-23 Waukesha State Bank scholarship recipients are Angel Calderon of Waukesha, Paige Clementi of Waukesha, Grace Fisher of Dousman, Audrey Flanders of New Berlin, Natalie Gricius of Oconomowoc, Marcela Hahn of Sussex, Alicia Holzem of Sussex, Emily Knott of New Berlin, Emily Krawczyk of Muskego, Alma Lopez of Waukesha, Paige McLaughlin of Hartland, Emily Motz of New Berlin, Abigail Olstinske of New Berlin, Chloe Raethke of Harland, Cora Riffle of Waukesha, Kaylee Shaffer-Joers of Waukesha, Sarah Stamn of Brookfield, Layla Tank of Pewaukee, Tess Thompson of New Berlin and Ethan Weber of Waukesha.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (September 16, 2022) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Matt Fischer to bank manager of its Sussex office and Tracy Moehle to bank manager of its Mukwonago office.

In their new positions, Fischer and Moehle will be responsible for all aspects of daily operations, including business development, personnel management, customer service, lending, relationship management and community involvement at their respective offices.

“We applaud Matt and Tracy’s commitment and enthusiasm for taking on leadership roles in key markets we serve,” stated Devon Arnold, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – retail banking manager. “These promotions are well deserved and reflective of the commitment they both make to their respective customers.”

Fischer started his career with Waukesha State Bank in 2016 as a teller at the Oconomowoc office. In May of 2018, his exceptional customer service and teamwork earned him promotions to customer service representative and assistant team supervisor. Later that same year, he transferred to the bank’s Prairie Trust division as a trust associate, supporting Prairie’s personal trust administrators. In May of 2020, Fischer returned to the retail side of the bank, and in 2021 he was promoted to personal banker of the E. Main Street office in Waukesha. Fischer earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He is active in the community serving as board chair for Waukesha State Bank’s internal volunteer group, Helping Hearts. Through the group, he organizes various volunteer projects and community service opportunities throughout the year. Fischer currently resides in Oconomowoc.

Moehle joined Waukesha State Bank in September of 2021 as a personal banker at the Downtown Waukesha office. She brought with her over 12 years of banking experience, including a year of Waukesha State Bank personal banking and loan servicing experience from 2018. She and her family currently reside in Greendale.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (August 29, 2022) – Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is pleased to announce the promotion of Tyler Kern to assistant vice president - investment officer.

“Tyler plays an essential role at Waukesha State Bank, and we are proud to recognize his talent,” stated Ann Pascavis, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president - chief financial officer. “We look forward to his continuing contributions to the growth of Waukesha State Bank.”

Tyler Kern joined Waukesha State Bank in 2018 as a commercial banking credit analyst/portfolio manager. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance, investment and banking, and risk management and insurance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He was promoted to investment officer in December of 2021, and in his new role as assistant vice president - investment officer, Tyler will continue to be responsible for managing the bank’s investment portfolio. In addition, he will continue to monitor and manage the bank's liquidity and sensitivity to interest rate and market risk.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (August 26, 2022) – Waukesha State Bank’s employee volunteer group, Helping Hearts, recently donated backpacks filled with school supplies to Hawthorne Elementary School in Waukesha.

“Through the generosity of Waukesha State Bank employees, 51 fully supplied backpacks were donated to Hawthorne Elementary second grade students,” stated Matt Fischer, Helping Hearts board chair and Waukesha State Bank personal banker.

Because of Waukesha State Bank’s donation, on registration day each second-grade student will have the opportunity to pick out a free backpack full of all the supplies they'll need for the school year.

Investing into the community has been one of the bank’s guiding principles since it was founded in 1944. Helping Hearts began thirty years ago as a way for bank employees to join in the crusade of serving the residents and non-profit organizations in Waukesha County. The group organizes a variety of volunteer projects and community service opportunities throughout the year, such as dress casual days, collection drives, volunteer events and more.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (August 23, 2022) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, has hired Melissa Gramza as controller.

“Melissa’s strong financial and accounting experience makes her uniquely qualified to build on our foundation of success, and we are proud to welcome her to the Waukesha State Bank team,” stated Ann Pascavis, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – chief financial officer.

Gramza has eight years of financial experience and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Most recently, she worked as a controller for Community State Bank in Union Grove, Wisconsin. In her new role as controller for Waukesha State Bank, Gramza will be responsible for directing the staff and day-to-day operations of the finance department, which includes analyzing and reporting the Bank’s financial information on a periodic basis.

Gramza is actively involved in the community coaching 5th – 8th grade girls’ volleyball and basketball at St. Roman Parish in Milwaukee.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (August 19, 2022) - Waukesha State Bank, a 14-branch independent community bank in Waukesha County, is proud to announce the promotion of Meena Granado to commercial banker.

“Meena has consistently demonstrated ambition towards furthering her skillset. This promotion is well deserved and reflective of Meena’s contributions to our team and her business customers in southeastern Wisconsin,” stated Tony Laszewski, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – commercial banking officer.

Granado holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University and started her career with Waukesha State Bank in 2016 as a payroll services representative within the Bank’s Payroll Complete division. She was promoted to a lead position within Payroll Complete in 2018 before transitioning to the commercial banking department as a commercial workout specialist in 2019. Granado was then promoted to credit analyst/portfolio manager in January of 2022. In her new role as commercial banker, Granado will be responsible for prospecting, developing, and managing commercial loan portfolios.

Granado is active in the community serving on the board of directors for Parent’s Place and as an ambassador for the Waukesha County Business Alliance. In addition, she volunteers with the Waukesha School District. She and her family reside in Waukesha.

Waukesha, Wis. (July 26, 2022) – Waukesha State Bank, a full-service community bank celebrating over 75 years of service, is proud to announce the promotion of Brenda Chadwick to Personal Trust Assistant – Estate Settlement & Real Estate within their Prairie Trust® division.

“We are pleased to have Brenda join our Prairie Trust team and continue her commitment to serving Waukesha State Bank customers,” stated Victor J. Schultz, president of Prairie Trust. “Her dedication to customer service and desire for continued learning and career growth make her a natural fit for this position.”

Brenda Chadwick joined Waukesha State Bank in 2019 as a teller. She has held varying positions on the retail side of the bank including customer service representative and assistant teller supervisor. In her new role as personal trust assistant within Prairie Trust, Brenda will be working with Prairie’s trust administrators in coordinating the active management of client real estate, personal property and post-death settlement matters.

Brenda earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She and her family currently reside in Oconomowoc.