Swatzke a friendly face in downtown

Name: Kari Swatzke Age: 42 Job: Bank manager at Umpqua Bank (571 5 th Street) City: Auburn Family: Husband, John Swatzke; Son Gavin, 6. Why are you always so cheerful and happy? I love being around people and it's just good to be here. You choose your mood. This town is pretty upbeat, and if you're in a bad mood in Lincoln go walk down the street. You'll say hi to people you know, and you'll feel better. How did you get into banking? I was the manager of a western wear store in Auburn for ten years. I took a job somewhere else, and didn't like it. A friend of mine who was a manager here when it was Western Sierra Bank said they had an opening at the bank. I started at 15 hours a week as a teller, and that was in January 1999. When did the bank become Umpqua Bank? It became Umpqua in 2006. We kept the same staff when the name changed. What job did you have between the western wear store and the bank? A correctional officer for Placer County. It took me eight months to get the job. I did it because my family is in law enforcement and it was a good paying job. I did it for three weeks and was still in training. Why didn't you like being a correctional officer? It takes a certain type of person to be in law enforcement, and I'm really just a chicken. What do you like about working at Umpqua? Helping people. I like to help people with their finances, but I'm not a financial adviser. I like seeing people happy and making a difference in their lives, like teaching them to save or helping them with a loan. All of us work together and are a little family. What community organizations are you involved with? Rotary Club, The Lincoln Women's Club and the youth center. I sit on the board of ReDirect, and if we could get more funding and be open more, I would help out there (the youth center) more. What do you think the importance of the youth center is? It's a place kids can go, a safe haven where they can get food, help with their homework and feel safe about asking questions. If we don't have a resource, we can find a way to help them. What's your favorite part of Lincoln? Downtown. It's right in the hub and more people need to come visit. We have great shops and places to eat. Downtown is quaint, and it still has a laid back feel and atmosphere. People are fun and nice. Is there anything you wish Auburn has that Lincoln does? The only thing I would change is I wish my commute would be as short as it would be to the Umpqua in Auburn, but I wouldn't change where I work. Do you make the coffee yourself? Me personally? On occasion. Whoever is here the earliest makes it. The girls make it better than I do. The coffee we use is an Umpqua Blend out of Oregon. Anyone can come in any time and coffee and surf the internet. What are your hobbies? My son and I go to yard sales all of the time. I have horses, and I love spending time with my family. Does your son like going to yard sales with you? He loves it because he's always looking for toys and they are a quarter of the price they would have been. I love getting a good deal, and I'm always looking for that big, huge find you get for nothing.