OCT NIBJ: Invested in people

WALLACE – Gina Doerschel never planned on a career in banking. In fact, after a brief stint in the industry more than 30 years ago, she was certain it wasn't for her. 

As it would turn out, banking had other plans. 

Today, Doerschel serves as vice president and area branch manager for Mountain West Bank, based out of the institution's Wallace branch, and works with dozens of employees at both Silver Valley and Kootenai County locations. 

While Doerschel loves her new role, her path into and through the banking world was never part of the plan. 

“I never wanted to be a banker, it just fell into my lap,” she said. 

After leaving the industry decades ago, Doerschel tried her hand in a variety of fields, including health care, retail and even bartending, which she admits she was pretty good at. 

But 15 years ago, she was looking for a new challenge and decided to give banking another shot, taking a position at U.S. Bank in Pinehurst. 

“Tami Atkins called me and told me there was an open position and that I should apply because it’s close to my house,” Doerschel recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘Ehhh, I don’t know,’ but I did anyway and now I’m glad that I did.” 

From there, Doerschel worked her way into a branch manager position at Columbia Bank in Kellogg, helping guide the branch through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By 2022, however, she was again considering leaving banking, largely because of the corporatization of the industry. 

A chance meeting with Mountain West Bank CEO Scott Anderson changed those plans. 

With assurances she could remain in a community-minded banking environment, Doerschel joined Mountain West to open a new branch in Wallace, a city that had recently lost its only financial institution. 

To say the partnership has worked out would be an understatement. 

The Wallace branch has flourished under Doerschel's leadership, so much so that Anderson elevated her to vice president and area manager earlier this year. 

“Best decision I ever made,” Doerschel said. 

The constantly evolving nature of banking is one reason she ultimately found a home in the industry despite her early reservations. 

Training new employees and helping existing staff grow and adapt is her favorite part of the job. 

Doerschel doesn't like the term "grooming" when it comes to employees, but she will do everything within her power to help members of her staff succeed and thrive. 

“I like helping people and seeing positive outcomes,” she said. “I like helping young people, who may not have been taught about banking, learn how to bank responsibly. But what I really enjoy is growing and developing people within the industry. That is probably the most interesting part of my job; taking new people and finding what their strong suits are and then finding a place for them.” 

While many people assume banking is repetitive, Doerschel said the opposite is true. 

Getting employees sharp and keeping them sharp are two very different challenges, she said, because the industry is constantly changing. 

That challenge is also what keeps her engaged. Though she won't admit it herself, Doerschel has found success in nearly every field she's entered. The downside, she said, was often boredom and the search for a new challenge. 

“Banking is not for everybody,” she said. “Banking can actually be very hard because it’s not the same thing every day. Nothing is repetitive and everything changes. You could be very good at something and next week it’s entirely different. So, you end up having to learn a process all over again.” 

Pivoting from branch leadership to a regional role required some adjustment, but Doerschel leaned on support from Anderson and Senior Vice President and Regional Market President Jimmy McAndrew during the transition. 

“Her experience, commitment to exceptional customer care, and deep dedication to her community make her the perfect fit for this role,” McAndrew said. “We’re confident she will continue to make a meaningful impact in this leadership position.” 

Doerschel isn't eyeing retirement just yet, but she expects Mountain West will be where she finishes her banking career. 

“Mountain West really makes you feel like a family,” she said. “People love their jobs within this company. We have some people who have been with the company since they were 18 and this is the only job they’ve ever had. They value their employees and that matters in communities like ours.”