2016 Outstanding Women in Banking: LeeAnn Stessman

Energetic banker finds opportunity at revitalized Minnesota bank.Although June marked the centennial anniversary of Park State Bank, the Duluth, Minn., bank has the feel of a de novo. That's because ownership changed earlier this year and, with the boost of fresh capital, Park State Bank is reinventing itself as a high-touch, innovative lender eager to pour energy into its growing customer based..David Saber, president of holding company Park Financial Group, and Tom Palmer, CEO of the bank, carefully considered their first hire, knowing it could set the tone for the staff for years to come. Eight months ago, they hired Leann Stessman as client relationship manager, working out of the bank's sole branch, located in downtown Minneapolis. After her six-month review — a meeting where she outlined her progress with a PowerPoint presentation — she was promoted to assistant vice president..Stessman, whose career has taken her from the cornfields of Iowa to the Nicollet Mall in the heart of Minneapolis, is a 2016 selection for Outstanding Women in Banking honors. The recognition, sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen, is presented by NorthWestern Financial Review magazine..Stessman is responsible for the way the bank interacts with customers. It's a broad job description that currently has her vetting options for mobile banking. Stessman said she is always looking for ways to make the customer experience better..Often that means meeting the customer at their place of business. That's not a new concept for Stessman, who joined Park State Bank after working at Minnesota Bank & Trust, the Edina, Minn., subsidiary of Heartland Financial of Dubuque, Iowa. Under the tutelage of Minnesota B&T President Kate Kelly, Stessman said she learned a lot about how to treat customers..Kelly is among a tight group of mentors Stessman said she has sought out during her career of 10 years. All the mentors work at competing banks but she said their help has been invaluable..Stessman, 32, grew up in Gilbertville, Iowa, just outside of Waterloo. Banking was her ticket to Des Moines after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, when Wells Fargo hired her as a personal banker. She worked there for three and a half years, benefitting from detailed training, before leaving for a job at Community State Bank, also in Des Moines. There were other jobs and a move to Iowa City before Stessman transplanted to the Twin Cities in April 2013 to take the job at Minnesota Bank & Trust..Knowing almost no one in the Twin Cities, she dove into community volunteerism. She got active with the Edina Chamber of Commerce, soon landing a seat on the board of directors. In 2015, the Chamber honored Stessman is its "volunteer of the year." (Currently, she is chair of its gala committee.) And she signed up for the local lunch-hour Rotary chapter. She remains active in those organizations even though she no longer works in Edina. Volunteer time also has gone to an association seeking help for people with Alzheimer's, a disease Stessman has seen up close among her extended family..Stessman, who said she had a good job with a promising future at Minnesota Bank & Trust, explained the entrepreneurial appeal of the Park State Bank opportunity. "This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to grow a bank from the ground up and build a culture based on enthusiasm, ethics and energy," Stessman said. "Ownership has provided the capital for us to grow. Furthermore, I have the opportunity to be a part of the team providing the strategic thinking for the organization; this is a challenge that excites me.".In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the Minneapolis branch, Saber said she is spearheading a number of strategic initiatives, including developing policies, procedures and systems. Recently, she hired the branch's only other customer service professional..Stessman said the bank will distinguish itself with great customer service, particularly fast decisions on loans. Saber offered a more memorable description of her service: "She plays a vital role in providing 'rock star' client service.".Most of the bank's team works in Duluth, but Stessman said the bank is committed to operating as a unified organization – not as separate banks in two cities 150 miles apart. She and Saber travel to the Duluth office at least twice a month to meet with colleagues and customers..Stessman said Park State Bank's customers are responding. "In the last year, we have grown to $45 million from $33 million," she said. "Customers sense the new energy.".Other 2016 Outstanding Women in Banking include:Karen Gregerson, The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, Ind.Tirzah Wedewer, F&M Bank, Manchester, IowaSusan Koranda, Security Bank, Laurel, Neb.Nichol Beckstrand, Sunrise Banks, St. Paul, Minn.Jan Odin, Unison Bank, Jamestown, N.D.