New leader takes over at First National Bank of Groton

When Norma Samson graduated from Groton High School (GHS) in 1970, she had already begun working at the First National Bank of Groton (FNBG). At least as far back as that, the bank would hire high school seniors to work a few hours after school and Saturday mornings, giving them the experience of working in a bank and exposing them to career opportunities in the field.

Samson studied business administration at Tompkins Cortland Community College, then located right on Main Street in Groton, which made it easy for her to continue working at the bank between classes while she earned her degree.

Once Samson was working full time, she had become a full-fledged teller, and as the bank grew, she grew with it until she became the senior vice president of operations and technology. In November 2019, Samson celebrated her 50-year anniversary at the bank, and now, as of Dec. 31, 2021, she has retired.

“The rapid changes in technology and the increase in banking rules and regulations started to be overwhelming,” Samson said. “So, it’s time for me to let the younger people take over and grow the bank further in technology to give the best to our customers.”

It just so happens that another FNBG employee who began her own career there as a GHS senior in 1997, Karen Whatman, had worked her own way up through the ranks until she became the vice president of operations in December 2020.

It was around that time that Samson had begun to contemplate retirement, so she began teaching Whatman all that she would need to know to step into the role when the time was right. And that time is now.

Whatman grew up on her family’s farm on Chipman Corners Road with her parents, Richard and Ruth Whatman, and her siblings, Christine (Whatman) Rundel and Steve, Becky and Rusty Whatman.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future,” she said.

During her high school years, Karen played the clarinet in band and was involved in drama club. She knew she did not want to be a therapist, but she was very interested in psychology, so she decided to study liberal arts and social sciences at Tompkins Cortland while continuing her part-time job at the bank.

“Everyone was so nice to me and didn’t treat me like a child,” Karen said. “I could tell that they actually depended on me. I wasn’t just filling my time. They made me feel like I was an important part of the bank — and at 16, that was a big deal.”

In August 1998, the night operator position became available, so Karen was able to attend her college classes during the day and work at the bank from 2 to 7:30 p.m. weekdays, as well as Saturday mornings.

Karen also said the bank experience gave her an idea of what office work was like, and she realized she really enjoyed it.

When Karen graduated from Tompkins Cortland in May 2000, she thought she would need to leave the bank to get a full-time job. But once again, it happened that a proof operator position opened up, so she was able to step right into that.

In short order, Karen learned to use the proof machine and was responsible to run every transaction from every bank teller to make sure they balanced and then ensure the entire bank ended up balanced every day.

By 2005, Karen still enjoyed her job, but she began to feel that she was ready to do and contribute more. As a result, she began to take on work with the electronic banking aspect of things, such as debit and credit cards and working with customers who had issues or disputes to settle with those.

Eventually, when Karen began to wonder what might be next for her, she acquired the title of items processing and electronic banking supervisor, combining the proof operator and electronic banking roles into one supervisory position.

“I never really did decide what I wanted to be when I grew up,” Karen said. “Every time I even thought about leaving the bank, something happened to keep me here. It was obviously meant to be.”

Having both been products of the bank’s program for high school students, Karen and Samson are both very sad that the program has not been in place for the past few years. They attribute it to a lack of student interest and conflicts with sports and other after-school activities.

At the time of Samson’s 50-year anniversary with the bank, she said her greatest accomplishment had been “mentoring the many Groton High School seniors who would work at the bank as interns every day after school, on Saturdays and during school breaks, and then watching them learn and grow and venture out into the business world or college.”

“Norma has been the head of my department the whole time I have been here,” Karen said. “She has always seen the potential in me, been a mentor, was always kind and took me under her wing.”

For Samson, the feeling is mutual.

“It makes it easier to retire knowing Karen is in charge,” Samson said. “She knows all the jobs, has an excellent work ethic, is a great supervisor and will be moving the department forward. All the years I’ve been here has been a wonderful journey, and I wish her the best of luck.”

In her off-work hours, Karen will continue her volunteer roles in her church, Dryden Baptist Church, where she is the church clerk and co-director of Awana and Vacation Bible School. She also plans to continue reading and spending time with family, friends and her two cats, Bailey and Wilson.

As for Samson, she plans “to learn to play the piano again, weed out my big house, spend more time with family and stay more on top of my snow shoveling and lawn mowing.”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.

In brief:

Ridge Runners spaghetti supper

The Groton Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club will hold a spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at its clubhouse, 748 Salt Rd., 1 mile north of Route 90. Meals include all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs, salad bar, dessert bar and beverage.

Cost is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and $8 for children ages 5 through 12. Children 4 and under may eat for free. This is a perfect way to enjoy a unique dining experience in a rustic country setting. Take-out dinners are also available.

Village tree grinding

The village of Groton employees will be grinding Christmas trees beginning Jan. 3. Please bring your tree to the curb for pickup. As always, mulch is available to village of Groton residents free of charge at the wastewater treatment plant.

Youth basketball

Groton Recreation’s first and second grade Basketball Skills program will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Jan. 19 through 31 and Feb. 2 through 4 at the Groton Elementary School gym from 5 to 5:45 p.m. for first grade and 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. for second grade. Register at tshq.bluesombrero.com/grotonrecreation.