Adam Huening
She may be withdrawing herself from the bank but people can count on Toni Collins depositing her time in the community.
On Wednesday, employees at MainSource Bank held a special lunch for Collins who will be retiring from her post as vice president on Friday, an event no one, including their information technology person, would let her forget.
“When I sign on to my computer it tells me my password will expire in three days,” she said in jest.
After a career that has spanned more than 30 years, Collins said she is ready to move on to other things. For someone who has been a mainstay in the local banking business, she knows the transition will be something different.
“I’ve always enjoyed working here. There does come a time when you’ve got to make changes and that time has come. But it is not the end, it is just the beginning of a new lifestyle,” Collins said. “I’ve met lots of good customers and made a lot of friends through the years and I will always cherish that.”
As Collins shared the moment with her fellow employees, whom she describes as “one big happy family,” it was apparent banking was always in her blood. She recounted a story involving a rather nasty ankle break a few years ago. Just before going into surgery, she had two questions to ask her doctor.
“’Are you using BioMed parts’ because I had BioMed stock and ‘can I wear high heels again,’” she said as laughter rolled through the boardroom.
The high heels were a defining characteristic for Ed Bowman, who had a little fun with his co-worker during the celebration.
“I could never figure out what you did around here when I came 27 years ago,” he said. “We never knew. I thought it had something to do with public relations but you always knew when she was coming because of her high heels. You would just hear a click click coming down the hallways.”
Collins not only made noise in the hallways of local finance. She also is an avid supporter of the community, which many cite is the most important aspect of this woman’s character.
“Toni is one of those dedicated people that seems to have time to do it all,” Mike Casuscelli, former publisher of the Greensburg Daily News and United Fund volunteer, said. “She's involved in so many community service projects and not just in name, she is usually leading the charge. Her dedication and effort with the Cheer Fund as an integral part of the organization is a true tribute to her compassion for the residents of Decatur County.”
With the extra time, Collins declares she will still be a huge part of community work and hopes to instill the ideals of service and dedication in her grandchildren.
“I’ll still be involved with the local community, especially Cheer Fund,” she said. “I’ll have (my grandchildren) helping me, but they’ll probably hide from me.”
In addition to volunteering, Collins plans to spend time with family and improving on her golf game. Instead of walking through the doors of MainSource at 7 a.m. Monday, she’ll be at home preparing for a golf lesson.
“I play but I’m not that good. I just want to be respectable,” she joked. “When I hit the ball, I want it to go 150 feet, not three feet.”
Regardless of where her life carries her in the days after MainSource, she is sure she will return to visit her friends at the bank.
“I’ll still bank here. I have to come in and check my balances,” Collins said with a smile.
To comment on or view reaction to this or other local stories please visit www.greensburgdailynews.com.
