SEACOMM, BRANCH MANAGER Hometown: Willsboro, New York Age: 38
Education: Willsboro Central School
Community Involvement: Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary, Stepping Out for Your Heart, KES 6th grade Fundraising
Yvonne Alterie is home grown and flourishing right here in the North Country. She went to work straight out of high school and has been acquiring skills in her field ever since. She has decided to embrace every professional opportunity simply by always saying “Yes! and making sure to follow up.” In her first bank job she worked every desk and every position. “I started by stuffing statements into envelopes. There was nothing I didn’t want to learn.” and it showed. Her performance got her noticed and she was recruited by SeaComm as the manager for its new branch in Plattsburgh. With a unique combination of grit and grace, she embraced the challenge of transitioning to a new position with a new company. When she’s not at work Yvonne is busy being a mom to four children and all that entails.
What are you doing to make a difference in your profession?
Helping individuals in the community better their financial life. We realize bad things happen to good people and educating them in ways to get back on track builds the member back up.
How do you contribute to the culture of your company?
I contribute to the culture of SeaComm by working side by side with my fel- low staff letting them know how much I appreciate the job they do as it takes everyone on the team to make the Credit Union successful.
What is the single most important characteristic for success?
Accountability — take ownership of your life lessons. No one knows every- thing and everyone makes mistakes.
What is your biggest professional success?
Being headhunted to become the Branch Manager of SeaComm Plattsburgh.
What is your dream job?
I know this sounds cliché, but I am currently working my dream job which is helping people achieve their goals — new auto, new home, new RV, a wonderful vacation, or being financially sound.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I maintain a work/life balance by having a strong family support system and an employer who understands the importance of family time.
What important lesson have you learned in your career?
An important lesson I have learned in my career is to stay positive — grab each new adventure and reach for the stars by doing your best, thank your employees for a job well done and show appreciation to them.
What are you doing to make a difference in your community?
Educating all ages of the community, it is ok to have a hiccup in their life from changing jobs, losing their employment or even growing their family. The credit union is full of valuable resources to get them information during their time of need.
What is the most exciting trend happening in the community right now?
Most exciting trend happening in the community is the growth in Plattsburgh with new businesses in the town and the city. A big thanks to the Chamber for their welcoming of businesses like ours to the Plattsburgh community.
What can the North Country do to make this region more appealing to a younger generation?
To make the North Country more appealing to the younger generation I believe there needs to be more exposure with businesses, land marks and clubs in the areas. We have so much to offer in the North Country and many don’t even know what exists — places like the AuSable Chasm, Saranac River Trials, Cats Trials, local wineries, breweries, and distillers.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
The biggest risk I have taken was interviewing and accepting the Branch Manager position at SeaComm after working 17 years for one company. Taking this position has allowed me to be the person I had wanted to be for years by helping the people in the community in which we live have a better financial life.
What is something that no one would guess about you?
People would never guess that I have four wonderful children, I have eight siblings and how much I enjoy “paying it forward” within the community.
Write a note to your younger self…
Live each day to the fullest. In a blink of an eye life can change. You can’t change the past, so look to a bright future.