It’s no secret in the business world that an office’s atmosphere is a reflection of its manager’s personality. Nowhere is this more noticeable than at the Port Orchard branch of Kitsap Community Federal Credit Union (KCFCU). Upon entering this venue one immediately notices the helpfulness of employees and the true sense of caring exhibited by everyone working there. There is a quiet sense of relaxation and friendliness throughout the office. This is due to Mary Gentry, Branch Manager, and her excellent team building skills combined with her compassion and people skills.

Originally from Olympia, Washington, Mary has been a resident of Port Orchard for 30 years.

After taking a few business courses in college, she decided she wanted a career with “banker’s hours” (a term which she currently chuckles about considering her 50 hour work weeks). It was at this time that she enrolled in a teller-training course in Tacoma. Since then she has worked her way up from teller to Branch Manager at KCFCU and experienced the various intricacies of banking along the way.

This has included working as a loan clerk and collector-among other positions. Throughout her banking career, Mary was mentored by a former CEO who helped her realize her full potential and then some. All this knowledge and mentoring has combined to afford her the opportunity to be a mentor to other branches and people involved in the banking field. Her desire and love of nurturing people and giving positive feedback for a job well done provides for an atmosphere of meeting goals more easily and having a strong team environment.

Of particular interest regarding Mary’s compassionate, nurturing personality is revealed in the fact that she worked as a volunteer firefighter for five years in our County. Not too often one hears about a bank Branch Manager being a firefighter. This points to another facet of Mary’s interesting life.

Married for 31 years to a firefighter of 23 years (the story about how they met is another fun story of its own), Mary has two children who both are involved with successful local businesses. Her daughter is the Office Manager of B&B Auto Repair while her son owns GNT Construction. With five grandchildren aged 7 months to 12, Mary is indeed the proud grandmother who relishes in spending time with them.

Other hobbies Mary pursues in her limited free time include reading mysteries (she is a late bloomer Nancy Drew fan), cooking and baking, and traveling. Her love of traveling will be taken to the next level when upon retiring this spring; She and her husband are planning on becoming road warriors to experience traveling across the United States and other localities.

Whether in the market for guidance in the banking industry, or simply to enjoy the company of an enlightening and knowledgeable woman... Mary Gentry is one of a kind.