Beloved WesBanco Teller Retiring
WesBanco bank teller Renee Hunter will retire on Jan. 23 after spending more than a decade meeting new people, managing money and building a work family.
Hunter grew up in the floral business, working for her family’s business, the Smith’s Orchid Crest. Hunter also worked for her mother’s shop, Town and Country Flowers. After graduating in 1979 from Barnesville High School, she started a family, and a few years later started working at The Flower Gardens in Barnesville.
After working at the Flower Gardens for 30 years, Hunter had to seek another job when the business was sold. One of the tellers working at WesBanco at the time knew Hunter and suggested she apply for a job at the bank, but Hunter felt hesitant because of her lack of experience in banking.
“They definitely took a chance on me,” Hunter said.
The chance was worth it, according to Barnesville WesBanco vice president and banking center manager John Rataiczak. He remembers vividly what it was like going through the hiring process nearly 14 years ago.
“We knew her name,” he said. “We knew what an absolutely wonderful person she was. We also knew how the community loved her so much, so when we heard that there might be an opportunity to bring her on board with WesBanco, we seized it.”
Barnesville WesBanco vice president and banking center manager John Rataiczak recalls hiring bank teller Renee Hunter 14 years ago as she plans for retirement this month. ©Barnesville Area News Company photo.
Hunter started her new job on Feb. 21, 2012.
Rataiczak said the Barnesville WesBanco bank is the busiest office out of all of the 250 branch offices, and Hunter managed the busiest drive-through lane of the office.
For almost 14 years, in addition to manning a drive-through lane, Renee’s work also included other responsibilities such as serving customers inside the bank, preparing money for Brinks, completing book work, and managing bank accounts.
Hunter said in the beginning she was nervous and overwhelmed but as time went on she loved meeting new people and enjoyed her days in the office. Renee explained this job is more than just being a bank teller, that it has a personal side, making people feel comfortable while she is handling their accounts.
“I’ve made a home here, and this will be very bittersweet for me,” she said. “You get very connected to these people …,” she said. “It’s wonderful people are so appreciative.”
Hunter said in the beginning she was nervous and overwhelmed but as time went on she loved meeting new people and enjoyed her days in the office. “The people that come in here, that’s what I will miss,” she said. “Of course, my work family has just been awesome too.”
Rataiczak further commented on the positive impact Renee has made during her time at WesBanco. He described her as “a ray of sunshine, always in a good mood even when circumstances weren’t the best.” Some of her conversations with customers, as he recounted, were “inspiring.”
Customer service representative lead Tara Bailey, said Hunter has been a joy to work with. “She is always upbeat, and the customers love her,” she said. “Renee always has something witty to say and can make a bad day better.”
Office manager Joy Boyd added that Renee is a team player who leads by example on how to give excellent customer service.
Once she is officially retired, Hunter plans to spend more time with her family: husband, Dave; son, Ryan; grandson, Dillon; and daughter, Amber. She hopes to spend some time traveling, including visits with Amber in Savanah, GA.
Renee explained it is going to be an adjustment not getting up every morning and going to work but is looking forward to her retirement.
The bank invites the public to join the retirement party to honor Renee and wish her well from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 23 in the WesBanco Barnesville lobby, 230 East Main Street.
Barnesville WesBanco bank teller Renee Hunter prepares for retirement with her “work family.” Left to right bank tellers: Joy Boyd, Tara Bailey, Hunter, Erica Foster, Vicki Miller and Valerie Douglass. ©Barnesville Area News Company photo.
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