December 18, 2008

For the last 35 years, the banking business has been a large part of life for North Valley Bank Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager Ann Alumbaugh, who's planning to retire at the end of the year.Alumbaugh started in the banking industry with Bank of America after completing high school in 1966, took a three-year hiatus to raise children, then returned to the banking industry and spent the next 15 years working in Ukiah before returning to Willits for her last 11 years in banking.

As she approches her December 31 retirement, Alumbaugh expressed her appreciation to the community for their support and thoughtfulness over the years."I just love all the people here," she said with a smile. "The customers are so thoughtful and the staff is so great. I really want to thank everyone for everything over the years everyone has been so supportive and wonderful."

Alumbaugh has had quite an impact on her co-workers, who said their goodbyes and well-wishes with mixed emotions.Senior Financial Services Representative Kathy Johnson, who has worked with Alumbaugh for 33 years, said, "Ann hired me and trained me. We have been through it all from marriage and children to bank mergers and even bank robberies. She is a truly special person, who takes everyone into her heart. She is much more than my boss, she is my lifelong friend, and I will miss her here at work more than I can say."