Linda Ballweg Retires from State Bank of Cross Plains Paul Manchester Becomes SVP Chief Retail Offi
February 13, 2019, MADISON, Wisconsin— State Bank of Cross Plains (SBCP) celebrates with Linda Ballweg upon her retirement as the bank’s Executive Vice President-Chief Retail Officer. With more than 40 years in the banking industry, Ballweg has been an integral part of SBCP’s success for 26 years—first by leading the human resources division, and then as part of the executive leadership team for more than a decade.
“Linda has done a tremendous job of transitioning our retail division into the digital era during her tenure as Chief Retail Officer,” says Jim Tubbs, SBCP President & CEO. “She has also played a significant role in developing the bank’s future by mentoring countless others in our bank family. Her warmth, strength of character, thoughtful leadership, and vast institutional knowledge will be missed daily. She truly leaves a legacy we will all strive to emulate.”
Ballweg started as a drive-through teller in her hometown bank and spent 43 years in the banking industry working her way up to retire as one of the top executives at State Bank of Cross Plains and one of the most respected bankers in the Madison area. Over the course of her career, Ballweg has served as the go-to person whenever something new had to be developed and/or implemented. She has started a customer service department, combined HR departments after three separate mergers, established a new HR department from scratch, and reinvented the Retail Division at SBCP to establish a universal banking program.
Ballweg has served on the Board of Governors for the local American Institute of Bankers (AIB), as the AIB’s executive director, and on the Retail Banking Section Board for the Wisconsin Bankers Association, as well as on SBCP’s executive leadership team (a hand-picked group dedicated to determining the bank’s strategic direction). She is well-known throughout the area as a mentor and leader open to collaboration. Her input and guidance have been invaluable in bringing universal banking to community banks throughout the state and region.
Paul Manchester Becomes SBCP Chief Retail Officer
Upon Ballweg’s retirement, State Bank of Cross Plains is pleased to promote Paul Manchester to SVP-Chief Retail Officer. Most recently serving as SBCP Senior Vice President-Commercial Banking Relationship Manager and head of the bank’s Small Business Banking Team, Manchester also has extensive experience in retail banking.
“Paul Manchester is a great fit to become our next Chief Retail Officer for reasons beyond his obvious experience,” shares SBCP President & CEO Jim Tubbs. “One of Paul’s biggest strengths is his ability to coach, mentor, and develop up-and-coming bankers. We’re excited about his personal commitment to continue Linda Ballweg’s legacy of empowering and preparing talented leaders throughout our organization.”
With a degree in Communications and Psychology from University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Manchester brings 19 years of banking experience to this leadership position. In addition to his community banking expertise, Manchester coaches the Mount Horeb High School JV basketball team and serves as assistant coach for the varsity basketball squad. He is involved with Downtown Madison Inc. and the Mount Horeb Economic Development Committee. He was also named as one of the 40 Under 40 by In Business magazine in 2017.
