Compass Bank Manager sharing employee records with public ripoff Crestview Florida

The following letter should explain how Compass Bank management works. This letter was sent to all of Compass Banks upper management including: D. Paul Jones, Chris Sakagucki, Jim Barri, Jeff Talpas,Lonnie Hayes, Pat McCallister, Ralph Dalton, and finally to Shelli Brown. I have yet to get any response so it seems that this company condones this kind of behavior.

To Whom It May Concern,
Oct. 25, 2006

I am writing this letter to share facts about a branch manager, Shelli Brown, in Crestview, Florida. I feel everyone needs to know the truth about me, and my situation at Compass Bank. Before I get into facts about the incidents surrounding my resignation, I need to layout some basic information. My name is Katharine H, and I was hired on Feburary 8, 1999 to be a customer service representative.

About one to two years after I was hired, Mr. Pat Mccallister was hired. When he came aboard, he changed my position to a FSR. Before this change I had already been performing the duties of a FSR, but being paid for the work of a CSR. When Pat made me a FSR, I was always on track. Most of the time, I made #1 FSR in our district. I was never written up. I always went after new customers, and brought them to the bank.

Lastly, if Shelli asked me to do something for her, or the branch, I did it. I was the one who was constantly doing her cold calls, out of the office calls, and SB2K calls, I did not complain, I did those things because I liked to, and I also love to excel in what ever I do. I have to say, Shelli was my mentor. I have never liked and cared for a boss as much as I did her.

For a little over 6 years, if I needed anything, I felt that she was there as a manager and a very close friend. Shelli and I went on several bank trips and did things together outside of our banking relationship. I was even there for her the entire time she went through her ordeal with breast cancer. I loved Shelli as a sister.

On August 16, 2005 I became a Business Banking Specialist. I have never had the experience of working on my own, and I was very excited. My direct manager then became Lonnie Hayes This was new and different than any other job I had undertaken. I was the same still; I wanted to be number one in this job too, and I was. The first quarter in my new role, and the next three quarters after that, I was number one through three in the district the whole time. I have never taken credit for any account opened unless I opened it.

There were a couple of times that a manager told me to count accounts as my own, because I was there calling for them. But I will not just take something that was not mine because I can; I am not that kind of person. Shelli Brown is one person that should know that. There was a mistake I did make during the time I was a BBS, which I have regretted. I took several business owners to lunch and used my corporate credit card. The business owners had ordered several beers to drink. I was not sure if this was correct procedure or not, but I did not know how to stop them and not loose their accounts in the process.

I was never told or trained on how the credit card was supposed to be used. For over six years, I have seen what Shelli would allow us to buy on her business credit card, and honestly did not think I was doing anything wrong. Shelli would allow her employees to buy beer, wine or what ever they wanted, on the company's credit card or from the branch fun money. She has even allowed drinking alcohol, in the branch, in the mornings or evenings before the doors were closed. Lonnie did write me a warning about the incident.

After I learned what to do and how to use the credit card, I did not use it again like that. I have even been told by one of Compass bank's people, that Shelli stated I would never make it as a BBS. My 1 year as a BBS was wonderful I felt I was doing a great job, because I was never in trouble. Lonnie or Pat never complained to me about the way I did my job. In fact, Lonnie came to a branch managers meeting one time, and he asked me how things were going and how I was getting my accounts. I explained to him, and he told me that it sounds great and to keep up the good job. From that conversation, I had no reason to doubt that I was not meeting my job specifications.

When it was time for my annual review, Lonnie wanted to meet me in my office. I was excited, because I thought I had no reason to worry. It turns out the day he met with me was a worst day of my life. Except for the picture of me, the paper I had to sign, was full of blatant lies. Yes. I made an awful mistake, of doing what I did. But was it enough to take my career away from me? No.

I have reasons and proof to believe, Shelli Brown and T Marty Knopes worked together to have me terminated. I live in a very small town as well as Shelli. I know people here as well as her, and people talk. What she has done to me and my family is out in the open, and it has hurt me more than I could ever say in words.

I do know for a fact that Shelli made several phone calls, asking people to call Lonnie and get me fired. She has also text massaged Mr. Knopes, to inform him about me, and to discuss my personal file (I have a notarized copy of the text message). The statements about me riding around with my children, and never being dressed properly are lies provided by Shelli. Also the part about the restaurant incident, are fabrications about me (I also have notarized letters.) I can tell you I was not drunk or acting in anyway inappropriately.

Shelli's daughter, Jordan and Mr. Knopes also confirmed this for me. The incident had absolutely nothing to do with Compass Bank. I confronted Mr. Knopes about something he had been accusing me of saying. He became upset and started cursing and yelling at me. When I realized that the situation was escalating I turned to my companion Dr. Stevens, and stated we need to leave.

The very next day Mr. Knopes went to Compass and met with Shelli Brown. In the discussion about me, Shelli found the picture, and Mr. Knopes sent it to Lonnie Hayes. The picture is an awful thing, but it happened, and there is no way to go back an undo it. The picture turned up over 6 months after it was taken. And, when it happened I told Shelli; she laughed and said I was crazy. Why she would wait till six months later to ruin a good career, is a question I have to ask myself, as should everyone else be asking the same.

The worst part is how my family has had to suffer. My husband's career does not offer affordable health insurance. I was the sole provider of that. I have a three year old little girl, who depends on me. Shelli has taken away my whole part of providing for my family's living. I am not trying to be vengeful, but something should be done about the deceitfulness and lies your branch manager has told, and the way she allows the employees to behave in her branch.

I was a very hard worker for Compass. It makes me wonder how many other good employees have been terminated because of actions just like this. This company has allowed a branch manager and a local attorney take away a good career from me, and my family. Since I have left Compass Bank, Shelli and Lorrie Smith, the CSM, has treated my family appallingly when they come into the branch. They will not cash their checks and refuse to do several other things, which I know they do for other customers. I know this, because I have worked under Shelli and Lorrie for a very long time.

I have learned one major principal in all of this, You can never know someone like you think you do.' Shelli is not the person she portrays herself to be. I just hope that no one else becomes a pawn in her games and is hurt the way I have been hurt. This whole ordeal has turned my life upside down.

All I am asking is for this company to please look into this matter; as it was not looked into in the beginning. I have spoken to an attorney, and will pursue this matter if it continues to be ignored. I hope it does not come to that, but I have been treated very unfairly and unjustly. I have names of several people that can verify drinking in the branch before and during hours if you need there names or any other information, feel free to contact me at (((ROR REDACTED PHONE NUMBER FOR SECURITY PURPOSES))).

Thank you,

Kathy
crestview, Florida
U.S.A.