After 43 years in the banking industry Judy Hicks, a Vice President at Baker Boyer, is retiring from her role as Consumer Loan Manager.

Judy started her career in the bookkeeping department of a regional bank in Walla Walla. After working many jobs within the retail side of that bank, in 1987 Judy started working in the mortgage banking industry as a mortgage loan underwriter until 1993 when she took a position as a residential loan officer.

Judy joined Baker Boyer in January 1999 as a consumer/residential loan officer. In 2001 she became manager of the Eastgate branch of Baker Boyer where she continued originating mortgage loans. In September 2003 Judy moved to the downtown location to manage the Main Office branch and the Consumer Lending team. In 2011, Judy took over as the Consumer Loan Manager exclusively.

“One thing I’m very proud of is that even through those crazy lending years of 2003 through 2008, I continued to believe that lending to people based on adequate and stable income and good credit was the only way to guide our clients down the right path and help the bank succeed long term,” said Hicks. “So when the market crashed in 2008, the bank had a very well-performing real estate portfolio and Baker Boyer didn’t suffer like the rest of the country with a bunch of non-performing loans. I continue to be proud of the quality of the loans we service today. This experience confirms my belief that doing the right thing for the client is also doing the right thing for the bank.”

Judy has also been very active in the Exchange Club of Walla Walla, serving on the board and as the club President in 2009/10. She received their prestigious Exchangite of the Year award in 2010/11. Judy was also very involved in the Friends of Children of Walla Walla program, serving as the President of their board for 3 years. She is a founding member of The Bank Notes a cappella group.

Judy received the “Patriot Award” from the Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Judy was nominated by David Keeley, a Baker Boyer Consumer Loan Advisor who also serves as a First Lieutenant in the Oregon Army National Guard. In his nomination, David highlighted Judy’s outward recognition and support for his service in the Guard. After reviewing thousands of nominees, the Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) selected Judy to receive the award.