On October 1, 2020, I was very fortunate to join Chelsea State Bank as its first woman President. Today, I’m honored to be promoted to President and CEO, leading this great Bank into the future. Chelsea State Bank is positioned well for success based on our financial strength, legacy of supporting our communities, customers and employees, along with our prestigious brand. We are an integral part of the communities we serve, and I look forward to continuing our legacy, deepening ties and growing the Bank.

After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, I took a position with Bank One (formerly NBD) in their Credit Analyst Training Program. This training allowed me the opportunity to work with exceptional bankers who taught me the trade of commercial lending, relationship management and provided the advice to never burn a bridge. It was during this time that I learned about Community Banking, as a credit analyst in the Correspondent Banking group. After Bank One, I spent some time at Crestmark Bank, a $100 million dollar niche community bank, focusing on new business development. A few years later, I received a call from a former boss asking if I was interested in helping him start a Correspondent Banking group in Southeastern Michigan for Fifth Third Bank. Without hesitation, I became a Correspondent Banker working with Community Banks! This is when my passion really began for Community Banking. It provided me the opportunity to understand their value to consumers, small businesses and the community, importance of strong vendor relationships, and key performance indicators. I had the great pleasure of working with CSB during this time on a few loan participations. After growth in my portfolio and much success, I was asked to move into varying leadership roles in Middle Market and Small Business, which prepared me for this opportunity at CSB.

While I’m away from the Bank, I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors. Rick Clouse, my other half and I have two young kids, Emma (8) and Cole (4). These youngsters keep us busy and provide the daily joys and challenges of parenthood and provide a daily reminder of the important aspects of life. In addition, I enjoy boating, waterskiing, snow skiing, hiking in the woods and a good game of euchre during family gatherings!

Fun Facts About Joanne!

• I love our team at Chelsea State Bank. Their passion for our customers is exciting!
• My favorite pastime is spending the summer days as a child at my grandparents’ cottage. Some of my best memories have been made with family in the small town of Curtis, Mich.
• My favorite food is a greasy cheeseburger, with ketchup, mustard, onions and pickles! I don’t mind king crab, either!
• If I were stuck on an island, I’d make sure I had music! I’d be able to dance like no one was watching, while I wait to be rescued!
• My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love the lights, music, food, family gatherings, excitement of children, wrapping and giving of gifts. This past Christmas was a bit strange, but we managed.
• I don’t have a favorite playlist; I change it up based on my mood.
• I’m currently reading The Return by Nicholas Sparks and Sisters Grimm with my daughter.
• I’m not much of a TV person – I’ll catch a show, but I haven’t been hooked since Friends.
• We live west of Chelsea on Clear Lake.
• We have a four-year-old golden doodle.

I am proud and honored to lead Chelsea State Bank! I will remain committed to serving all of our stakeholders, striving to make CSB the best financial institution in Michigan to bank, work, and invest for today, tomorrow and into the future!