July 21, 2022
When I tell people the story of what brought me to Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank, I tell them that I like to think it was fate.
Around 2001-2022, I was working as an intern for two years at the Department of Health and Human Services. My internship, which I had started during my Senior year in High School, was coming to an end and my goal was to stay with the company.
My coworker at the time was getting ready for maternity leave so the timing could not have been more perfect for me to fill in for her while she was out. DHS wanted to keep me on full time and everything seemed to be lining up perfectly for me. I thought it was meant to be until the state went into a hiring freeze.
My internship had ended and I was out of a job waiting for the hiring freeze to be over. One week turned into a few weeks, and then it turned into a couple of months. I was fresh out of high school and I was already living on my own. I had depleted my savings and at that point was desperate for a job. I could no longer wait.
I started applying for random jobs, unsure of what it was I wanted to do because my plan to keep working at DHS had just blown up in my face. I was lost and desperate. My coworker, Al, was best friends with Phil Fearon, who worked at SBSI as the Commercial Lending Manager at the time. Al knew my work ethic and was trying to assist in finding me a job.
He asked if I thought I might like banking and said he could ask his friend for a teller application. I hadn’t really ever thought of banking. I had no experience but I was desperate, so I submitted an application and got the position at the Saco Main Office where I worked the drive-up and enjoyed the fast pace.
As time went on, I became eager to learn about the other aspects of banking. After two years as a teller, I applied to an open position as a Retail Loan Servicer and got it.
During the 10 years I worked as a Loan Servicer, I was able to take several banking courses and received several certificates and diplomas. I continued to move up the ladder and now work as the Retail Loan Servicing Supervisor & Collection Officer.
So here I am, 20 years later, and I am still with the company! It’s funny how things work out. I call it fate because it wasn’t my first choice, but it was the best choice I have ever made. I also met my husband here and we have been happily married for over thirteen years.
Through the years, I have met many people who have influenced my life incredibly. I am very thankful, full of gratitude and truly value working for such a community-oriented company that values their employees.
When I’m not working, I really enjoy spending time with my family, friends and our dog, Mia. I love going out to eat, watching scary movies and flower gardening in the summertime. I love the beach as well. That is where I am most at peace.
Please join us in congratulating Jena on her 20 year work anniversary at SBSI!
