From teller to bank president

After a young JoAnn Robins lost her job at a Walhalla department store, she walked down the street and found work as a teller at a one-year old bank.  That was 58 years ago, and her career continues today.  That teller is now JoAnn Bryson and her employer, the Blue Ridge Bank, is celebrating a career that saw her start as a teller and progress thru various bank duties, eventually being named Blue Ridge Bank president in 2008.  Bryson continues today part time and serves on the board of directors.  When she started with the bank July 29, 1958 she never imagined a career that would last nearly 60 years.  In June of ’58, employed as a bookkeeper and secretary, Bryson found out the store owner was consolidating and moving out of town.  She was out of a job.  A Blue Ridge Bank director who ran the Western Auto next door to the department store heard what happened.  He recommended she walk down the street and apply for a job.