Alex: Sassy would probably be number one. There's a really good story…It was my birthday and my family had just started going to a church a couple of months earlier. And I went into the church office to talk to the administrator because my birthday wasn’t mentioned in the service. I was four.
Friendly Faces of Vision: Branch staff stories
Vision Credit Union • February 18, 2021
Alex Lehmann, Member Service Representative, Camrose City Centre
"I think it really, really helps to laugh at things—it keeps things light."
Alex Lehmann doesn’t take her connections with others for granted. Growing up in Camrose, Alex knows that being recognized around town comes with the territory of being from a close-knit community. But she views it as a privilege, not a nuisance.
As a Member Service Representative at Vision’s Camrose City Centre branch, Alex truly values the relationships she’s able to build within the community. Whether it’s her face lighting up when a member walks in the branch or the laughs she shares with fellow coworkers at a Kodiaks game, one thing’s for certain: Camrose is lucky to have such a vibrant and caring community member.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Alex to get the inside scoop on who she is, her favourite things about Camrose and what she cherishes most about her work and the connections she’s made along the way. Here’s what she told us:
Did you grow up in Camrose?
Alex: Yes, I've lived here my entire life. Most of my family is here and I don't leave Camrose much. To this day, I actually don’t even have a passport. Hopefully that'll change. I have family in England that I haven't met yet, so it’d be nice to travel there someday.
What were you like growing up? How would people describe you as a kid?
Do you think you're still like that today?
Alex: Oh yeah, but I'm a little bit better at holding my tongue. I think that tact has definitely come with age… I think some people may disagree now that they work with me and I like to play little pranks. I'm very mischievous. I have a good sense of humour and that's how I defuse every situation. I think it really, really helps to laugh at things—it keeps things light.
When did you start working for Vision and what led you to apply for your job?
Alex: I started working for Vision in September of 2018... I was so lucky that Liz Kelndorfer hired me. She’d been here for 40 years. Plus, she knows and loves my grandma. I think I have a pretty impressive resume… But I think it might have been my grandma who sealed the deal. That's one thing I noticed about Vision right away, you get to know a lot of people. It’s really good to have that sense of community, it's a very personal touch.
What's your favourite part about your job?
Alex: When the members come in, it's the best. And with COVID, it’s one of the only kinds of personal connection we have anymore... I'll never forget the first member I had that passed away. She called us her friends. Going into your job, you never think you'd have that much of personal connection, especially in banking. But for her to come in and say that and give us hugs (before COVID), we were able to be there for her. And she really valued that. I think that's the best part, the people and how important the members are here.
What are some of the branch initiatives that you enjoy being a part of?
Alex: The profit share day is always nice because, I mean, who doesn't like handing people money and making them smile. Vision also really wants us to be involved in the community... If it wasn't for the community, our doors would be shut, so I think the fact that we’re encouraged to go out and volunteer and give back to the community is wonderful.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
Alex: I have a dog, he's eight years old and he takes up pretty much 80 percent of my time outside of work. His name's Spazz and he's the total opposite of that. He's a boxer bulldog and he's so cute and quiet. He's got this underbite that sticks out about an inch... He's the reason I get up in the morning, that guy. It's funny how dogs and their owners become alike. I don't have the underbite yet, but maybe one day.
What do you enjoy about the Camrose community?
Alex: I've lived here my entire life, so it's really hard for me to go absolutely anywhere in town without somebody knowing me, my grandma or my dad. I mean, it has pitfalls because everybody knows everything. But it's really nice to be able to walk into a place and be recognized.
Another thing I absolutely love about Camrose is our downtown. The Main Street is wonderful with all of the small businesses…We have really, really good businesses. Even the large ones have great employees because they've been here forever, they know your name. It's that personal touch that I think we all like.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Camrose?
Alex: I really enjoyed going to the Kodiaks hockey games, when we were able to. I go with my co-worker, Shelley and we go in on 50/50 tickets with another former Vision staff member, Liz, and a couple of other ladies.
What’s your favourite local restaurant?
Alex: You have to go to Pan Flame. If you want the absolute best Indian food, you go there…When the Christmas bonus comes out, that's what I do the first night, go to Pan Flame. It's been my own little tradition for the past couple of years.
