Broadway Bank’s Lu Ann Long set to retire

One smiling face that will be missed is that of Lu Ann Long of Wimberley’s Broadway Bank as she looks to retire. She has never been too busy to look up from her manager’s desk and flash a smile, and it has been like that for a long time. The same smile at the manager’s window or behind the teller windows. A big smile where you know you are welcome and a big thank you wrapped up in one.

That’s why small town living has a lot of advantages, like pulling up to the drive-in window and not needing a driver’s license for identification and be called by your name. Lu-Ann started as one of those, a face behind glass and a pneumatic tube. She was a teller at first. Learning the ins and outs of Wimberley, especially the financial part, helped her moved up the ladder.

Having started part time in 2002, this was back when Broadway Bank was known as Balcones Bank. She worked her way up to Assistant Vice President in 2010 and is now a fixture in the community.

Lu Ann was born in Dallas, but grew up where the oilfields took her father and her family. They ended up in Kenedy, Texas and she attended Coastal Bend College in Bee County. She met her husband at thirteen and helped put him through law school in Houston. They have been married for 33 years.

In an early move to Karnes County to raise their family, she was the feature writer for the local paper for five years enjoying the contact and interviews with people from all walks of life. But, life always being a constant change, they moved to Austin. That is how they discovered Wimberley.

“We were interested in a small town and came across Wimberley and fell in love with it,” Lu Ann said.

Here they could raise two Wimberley High School graduates, a daughter Kally and son Tucker. Kally is a track and field, pole-vaulting athlete and Tucker writes code for the Navy.

When she first came to Wimberley, it didn’t take long to find a job.

“I was interviewed on Thursday. They called the next day and I accepted and I started on Monday morning. I have been here ever since,” Long said. She loves the job and the satisfaction she receives.

“The best part of the job is helping someone get into a brand new house or car. Also teaching somebody fiscal responsibility. I just want to help.” But with that, the job can be a double-edge sword, with a part that is not so rewarding.

“If I can’t help somebody, if I have to say no, it hurts. I look at clients as friends instead of account holders. They are not numbers.”

But now looking forward to retirement, she would like to explore hidden talents. Now she has time where they can be expressed; it’s like that for Long.

“I’m going to write and try and get published.” She has already written seven books, six romance and suspense themed and one written for tweens.

As for advice she would like to leave behind? “Come in each day and do good for the community intentionally. There’s something about improving people’s lives… it’s been lovely.”