She’s only lived in Clarkston about a year, but Debbie Hansen has already become an active community booster.
When her husband’s job moved to Auburn Hills, Hansen said there was a search for good community in which to live and for a good local bank where she could work.
‘I prefer working at a smaller, community-type bank,? she said, but her first job in this area was with one of the ‘larger competitors.? When visiting a local dentist, she saw the Oxford Bank branch and dropped off a resume. Her 15 years in community banking was among the attributes leading to her hire this past April as vice president and branch manager.
The choice of Clarkston for a new home was equally fortuitous, she said. Although the couple have five grown children, they still sought a community in which the school district has a good reputation. Clarkston’s business district was another positive point.
‘We had a lot of choices,? she said. ‘We spent a lot of time on the road driving around. When we drove down Main Street Clarkston, I said, ‘I like the way this feels.??
Hansen also likes the fact that her job requires her to reach out beyond the walls of her office.
‘My job is to get out in the community and get involved and have a presence so when people think of Oxford Bank, they have a name to put with it.?
In the same spirit, Hansen got involved with the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce and is now one of the chamber ambassadors. While she still considers herself relatively new to the community, she said, ‘I’m getting there? in meeting the folks around town.
‘That’s been a lot of fun,? she said. ‘It gives me another opportunity to go out and meet new business people and introduce myself and tell them what the chamber can do for them.?
Because of being new in town herself, Hansen gives a sincere greeting to other new business people and chamber members.
‘I’ve [moved] a lot. It isn’t very much fun. It’s good to have somebody say, ‘Hi; how are you???
One of they year’s big highlights for Hansen and the chamber will be the annual Business Expo in November. ‘That’s one of the things the bank is deeply involved in.?
Everyone is concerned about business and the economy. Hansen shares that concern.
‘We’re still all trying to recover from the downslide in the economy from Sept. 11, but like all other businesses, it’s just nose-to-the-grindstone and work and work,? she said, noting she prefers a ‘global view? instead of the daily focus on too many details. ‘There’s always going to be the daily hiccups. I think things are picking up here. I think it will take some time, but we’re just not a patient lot.?
Outside the job, Hansen is active in her church youth ministry, teaching an early morning religion class each day during the school year.
‘That keeps me very busy, and keeps me involved with kids, which makes me happy,? she said.
Part of the reason may be her own empty nest, but she is excited about soon-to-be four grandchildren.
‘My passion is my family,? she said, and she and husband Todd are finding new adventures without the kids.
‘We’re kind of turning a corner in our lives where we’re looking at each other and saying, ‘Oh, yeah, you’re my husband. I remember you.??
She and her husband share a mutual interest in sports.
‘I love fall because I love football,? she said, with an understandable loyalty to the Denver Broncos and Colorado State University.
She’s also an avid reader, citing the Lord of the Rings series and Harry Potter as favorites, along with Leonard Nimoy’s books about his relationship with his ‘Star Trek? character, Spock.
Above all, the emphasis in her life is to ‘just stay active.?
That will continue to include being active in community affairs, both as part of the job and part of her life.
‘It’s important if you’re in a business in a community, to be involved in the community,? Hansen said.