The Shining Star of the Year Award goes to an employee who has consistently displayed the core values of Astra Bank:

• Do The Right Thing. For everyone. Every time.
• People First: Always build lasting relationships that are beneficial.
• No Hypocrisy. Our words and our actions align perfectly.
• Earn Trust. Be open, transparent, and accountable – even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Teamwork. We are at our best when we combine all of our individual efforts.
• Flexibility. “The way we’ve always done it,” doesn’t automatically make it the right thing to do.

 This employee, throughout the year, has shown they are a model of the standards that Astra Bank seeks to uphold.

Astra Bank is proud to announce that there are two winners of the 2019 Shining Star of the Year: Jessica Housholder and Julia Kollman!

Jessica Housholder

Pictured is President and CEO Kyle Campbell with Jessica Housholder

Accomplishments

Jessica Housholder started working for Astra Bank on May 28, 2013.  Since then, she has accomplished the following:

• Jessica started her career with Astra Bank as a Loan Assistant in 2013;
• Promoted to Lending Assistant II on June 1, 2015;
• Promoted to Personal Banker IV on June 1, 2019;
• Nominated for Shining Star award 4 times.

Nominations

Co-workers have nominated Jessica for the Shining Star Award and cited the following:

• Jessica provides excellence every day;
• She is always ready to help in any role and has continued to take on new roles and responsibilities;
• As a Personal Banker IV, Jessica has been challenged with her increased duties and responsibilities, but she always manages to do it with a smile;
• Jessica always makes sure that our front line is covered and runs smoothly;
• With all her added duties, Jessica never complains;
• Jessica meets people well, she’s always professional and accurate and goes above and beyond to help others;
• Jessica does an excellent job helping Layne and Ben on the lending side of the bank;
• Jessica has a very strong attention to detail and plays a key part in making sure the loan files are accurate;
• Jessica has demonstrated the commitment and teamwork needed to allow Astra Bank to provide excellent service for our customers and our staff;
• Jessica is a vital part of the success of Astra Bank. 

Julia Kollman

Pictured is Julia Kollman with President and CEO Kyle Campbell

Accomplishments

Julia Kollman started working for Astra Bank on March 06, 2017.  Since then, she has accomplished the following:

• Julia started her banking career as a CSR/Teller;
• Julia was part of the Midwest Community Bank acquisition where she was hired as a Loan Operations Specialist;
• She has been nominated for the Shining Star award 4 times.

Nominations

Co-workers have nominated Julia for the Shining Star Award and cited the following:

• Julia shows up to work every day and produces work with great excellence and accuracy.
• She is very knowledgeable within her department; actually she is at the top when it comes to knowing all things processing in Ag/Commercial and is always available to answer questions that other processors, loan officers and loan assistants have throughout the day.
• She catches items that are of concern and brings them to the loan officers’ attention so that they can properly do their job.
• Julia is very quick to respond to requests and gets them out in a timely manner. 
• Over the summer she was left alone in her department for 4 months and was able to continue to produce documents, funding’s, assist with internal audits and numerous other responsibilities without a hitch.
• Julia has demonstrated trust within her department and amongst others by her quality of work and her commitment to Astra Bank.
• She shows teamwork by helping others within the Ag/Commercial department and assisting with escrow responsibilities and other requests that loan officers have for her.
• Julia is a vital part of the success of Astra Bank.

Congratulations, Jessica and Julia, on winning the Shining Star of the Year!