One of Baylake Bank's Waupaca area mortgage lenders was recently
recognized by the United States Department of Defense for her work during
a co-worker's absence for National Guard service. Gretchen Gerrits
received an official commendation from the Department of Defense's
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
The ESGR honors companies that support their employees who are involved in
America's National Guard and Reserve Forces.
Gerrits was nominated for the award by Judy Deschler, also a
mortgage lender at the Baylake Bank Financial Center in Waupaca. Deschler
has been with Baylake for more than 11 years, and is a 20-year veteran of
the Wisconsin National Guard. She was placed on active Guard duty in 2003
and 2004. "With the mortgage boom in 2003, it was a terrible time for
anyone to be gone from the financial world," Deschler explained. "While I
was gone, Gretchen worked very long hours, for months and months, so that
a replacement did not have to be hired during my absence."
"Gretchen's dedication and commitment to whatever she does makes her the
kind of person any organization would be thrilled to have as an employee,"
said Baylake Bank President & CEO Tom Herlache. "Her direct involvement
and extra effort were instrumental in helping the Waupaca Financial Center
continue to succeed while Judy was on active duty. Baylake Bank is
extremely proud of Gretchen, and Judy, as well as our other employees who
serve in the military."
Deschler said that she wanted to nominate everyone at Baylake, but could
only submit the name of one individual. "I know the entire Baylake Bank
team supported me. From the words of encouragement I received when I left
for duty and while I was gone, to the warm welcome I received upon my
return, I could not ask for a better employer and family of co-workers."
Baylake Bank currently serves Northeast and Central Wisconsin from 27
financial centers throughout Brown, Door, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc,
Outagamie, Waupaca, and Waushara counties, and from its website at
www.baylake.com. The company is the title sponsor of the Baylake Bank Tall
Ship festival coming in July 2006. The festival is expected to draw 50,000
people from a five-state region and an estimated 500-600 volunteers will
be needed. Volunteer and festival information can be found at
www.tallshipgreenbay.com.
