Alsonse Trucking
Astoria Business of the Month, May 2013
“I’ve been with Clatsop Community Bank for about two years,” said Tom Alfonse, owner of Alfonse Trucking in Astoria. “I wanted to keep my money with a local bank,” he added. “The people are great, and the faces aren’t changing every two months.”
Tom has taken out several loans with the bank, and said the process was very easy for him. And because Clatsop Community Bank is a local bank, “It’s much easier to talk to them when you need something,” he explained.
Tom started his trucking company in Astoria in 1982 and likes the independence of being a sole proprietor. He hauls rock and does small road and home construction projects. “To stay busy, you have to wear lots of hats,” he said.
Sea Ranch Resort
Seaside Business of the Month, May 2013
“I approached Clatsop Community Bank for a loan to expand our family business,” said Carmen Swigart, one of the owners of Sea Ranch Resort in Cannon Beach. “It was in the midst of the recession, and banks weren’t granting many loans,” she said. “But Clatsop Community Bank approved my loan request, and that made me feel special.”
Carmen first worked with Clatsop Community Bank executives Steve Ferber and Joe Schulte when they were both at other banks. “Steve and Joe are very friendly and go out of their way to make me feel at home,” Carmen said. “They’ve been very supportive, and I like their local focus,” she added. “We do most of our banking there now.”
Sea Ranch Resort is an 80-unit campground established in the 1960s, and built upon Sea Ranch Stables, a business established by the same family a decade earlier. The family added a general store and wellness center in 2007. With financing from Clatsop Community Bank, Sea Ranch Resort added a beautiful, enclosed event lodge with outdoor garden and seating. “It’s a great place for meetings, weddings and reunions,” Carmen said.
Autio Company
Astoria Business of the Month, April 2013
“We were ready to upgrade some of our equipment and wanted to finance it,” said Michael Autio, co-owner of Autio Company in Astoria. “It was time to renew our line of credit and we wanted to establish a relationship with a local bank, so if we need something in the future we can just talk to them and it’s won’t be so impersonal (compared to a big bank),” Michael explained. “Clatsop Community Bank structured a new line of credit for us, and they’ve been great to work with,” he added. “We worked with another bank since the company’s early days, but they are so big that our business is pretty insignificant to them,” he said.
Today, ownership and management reside with the third generation of Autios to lead the company, Michael and his sister Anita.
The Autio Company manufactures pumping and grinding equipment for the food processing industry. Paul Autio, a mink and fur farmer in Brownsmead, founded the company in 1948 and was responsible for the patented equipment designs upon which the business is based. Autio Company equipment can be found in more than 40 U.S. states and 33 foreign countries. Some of the company’s most recognized customers include Armour-Swift, Con-Agra, Gerber, Louis Rich, Foster Farms, Friskies, Heinz, Pillsbury, Ralston Purina, Tyson Foods and others.
Klemp Family Dentistry
Astoria Business of the Month, March 2013
Dr. Dennis Klemp transitioned his business from a partnership to a sole dental practice about two years ago. “Joe Schulte and Mike Schlieski at Clatsop Community Bank made the process pretty painless,” he said. “They stayed on top of the purchase of our new building, the remodel, and even the planning of the practice,” Klemp said.
Dr. Klemp was introduced to Clatsop Community Bank through a common acquaintance, and liked the fact that the bank is locally owned. “Why wouldn’t you stay local if you can?” he asked. “Frankly,” Klemp added, “Clatsop Community Bank outdid the other lenders, and they were always there for us. This transition would not have been possible without Clatsop Community Bank.”
Klemp Family Dentistry focuses on total patient care — not only providing pain relief, but also improving the patient’s quality of life. The practice provides a broad range of dental health services for children and adults. Specialty services are also available, including cosmetic dentistry and dental treatment for sleep disorders, sleep apnea, TMJ, headaches and migraines. The care team includes Dr. Klemp, three assistants, two hygienists, and two front desk associates. Klemp’s wife Melodi also works at the practice, and managed the interior decorating of the new building.
Dr. Klemp is a graduate of Oregon Health and Science University, and has practiced dentistry for 21 years.
Cotton Club
Seaside Business of the Month, March 2013
Stephanie Stevenson had banked with a national institution for years, but when she and husband Jeremy opened their clothing store in Seaside, they opened their business banking account with Clatsop Community Bank.
“It’s smart to keep your money in your county,” Jeremy said, “and with Clatsop Community Bank, all of our money stays local,” he added. “Banking with them has definitely been good for our business.”
“I like connecting with people I know,” Stephanie said, “and Mindy and Kelly at the Seaside branch always take care of me.”
When the couple recently bought a home, they went to Clatsop Community Bank for their mortgage, too. “(Mortgage banker) Bob Woodford was so nice,” Stephanie said.
Stephanie and Jeremy own the Cotton Club, a tee-shirt and sportswear shop that they opened in 2009 in the heart of Seaside’s business and tourism district. Both work at the shop full time. Their two-year-old son Fischer can often be found at the store too, flirting with customers.
“Jeremy’s parents really encouraged us to do this, and they’ve been so supportive,” Stephanie said. “If I’d been paying closer attention to the economy, I would have been more apprehensive, but we just did it, and business has been steadily increasing ever since.”
