Board of Directors

Douglas S. Gordon

Douglas S. Gordon joined WaterStone Bank, SSB in November 2005, taking on the leadership role of President and Chief Operating Officer. In January 2007, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of the bank and Waterstone Financial, Inc.

Mr. Gordon has more than thirty years of financial experience in all facets of banking. Prior to WaterStone he was a Senior Vice President of M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank. Prior to joining M&I, he had achieved the position of Executive Vice President of Security Bank, overseeing all operations of the bank. When M&I purchased Security Bank in 1997, he joined M&I to head up the bank’s commercial real estate division. 

He joined Security in 1983. At that time, Security was a savings and loan. He was responsible for creating its first commercial lending department and became President of Security Commercial Credit Corporation, the commercial lending division of Security Bank.

During his college years, he was employed both part time and full time at local banks, including Burlington Marine Bank and Cudahy Marine Bank. In 1978, he earned degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Business and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Marquette University in 1981. 

With a sports background in basketball, football, and baseball, he has been actively involved in coaching football and basketball youth teams. He coached the Junior Lancer Basketball program for fifth through eighth grade students in the Brookfield school district. He is currently involved with LISC, SecureFutures, the Marquette University Banking Curriculum, and is on the Community Banking Advisory Board for the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank.

Ellen S. Bartel

Ellen S. Bartel has been the President of Divine Savior Holy Angels (DSHA) High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 1998. Prior to her employment at DSHA, Bartel held several positions at Alverno College (1986-1997), with the most recent being Vice President of Institutional Advancement (1994-1997). A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Bartel received her Bachelor of Arts in American studies and philosophy, followed by her Master of Science in administration.

Michael L. Hansen

Business investor; current significant ownership interest in Jacsten Holdings LLC, Eagle Metal Finishing LLC, Mid-States Contracting, Inc., and Midwest Metals LLC. Mr. Hansen is a C.P.A. with 13 years of audit and tax experience at an international public accounting firm. Mr. Hansen has a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

Patrick S. Lawton

Managing Director of Fixed Income Capital Markets for Robert W. Baird & Co., Incorporated. Mr. Lawton has a B.S.B.A. and an M.B.A. from Marquette University.

Kristine A. Rappé

Kristine A. Rappé currently serves as special advisor to the Wisconsin Energy Foundation following a 30-year career with Wisconsin Energy Corporation. Rappé currently serves on the Marquette University Board of Trustees, the boards of Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and PAVE (Partners Advancing Values in Education) and is chair of the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. She previously served on the boards of State Financial Services Corporation and Integrity Mutual Insurance Corporation. Rappé graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Urban Planning. She also attended executive programs at the Harvard Business School and the University of Michigan's School of Business Administration.

Stephen J. Schmidt

President of Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services. Mr. Schmidt has an Associates Degree from the New England Institute and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

Derek L. Tyus

Tyus currently serves as vice president and chief investment officer of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. He has been with West Bend since 2016. Before joining West Bend, Derek was a director for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has been in the insurance industry for 22 years, holding investment positions in private debt and equity, real estate, wealth management as well as strategy and administration.

Derek is a graduate of Marquette University and received his MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Derek is currently a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Milwaukee. He serves on the board of various organizations, including the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Zoological Society of Milwaukee and Siebert Lutheran Foundation.

Douglas S. Gordon

Chief Executive Officer

Douglas S. Gordon joined WaterStone Bank, SSB in November 2005, taking on the leadership role of President and Chief Operating Officer. In January 2007, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of the bank and Waterstone Financial, Inc.

Mr. Gordon has more than thirty years of financial experience in all facets of banking. Prior to WaterStone he was a Senior Vice President of M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank. Prior to joining M&I, he had achieved the position of Executive Vice President of Security Bank, overseeing all operations of the bank. When M&I purchased Security Bank in 1997, he joined M&I to head up the bank’s commercial real estate division. 

He joined Security in 1983. At that time, Security was a savings and loan. He was responsible for creating its first commercial lending department and became President of Security Commercial Credit Corporation, the commercial lending division of Security Bank.

During his college years, he was employed both part time and full time at local banks, including Burlington Marine Bank and Cudahy Marine Bank. In 1978, he earned degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Business and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Marquette University in 1981. 

With a sports background in basketball, football, and baseball, he has been actively involved in coaching football and basketball youth teams. He coached the Junior Lancer Basketball program for fifth through eighth grade students in the Brookfield school district. He is currently involved with LISC, SecureFutures, the Marquette University Banking Curriculum, and is on the Community Banking Advisory Board for the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank.

William F. Bruss

President

William F. Bruss has served as General Counsel for WaterStone Bank, SSB since1997. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2006 and added the responsibilities of Secretary for Waterstone Financial, Inc. in 2008. Prior to joining the bank, he was in private practice for 3 years. Bruss received a J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1994. He earned a B.A. from St. Olaf College in 1991. Bruss is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Mark R. Gerke

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Mark R. Gerke joined WaterStone Bank, SSB in October of 2005 as Corporate Controller. In February of 2014, he was appointed Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc., the holding company of WaterStone Bank, SSB.

From 1998 to 2005, Gerke served in various positions with the global professional services firm of Ernst & Young LLP, including a role as Senior Manager in assurance services. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2002 and holds degrees in accounting and business administration from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Gerke’s currently serves on the Advisory Board for Best Buddies Wisconsin.

Julie Glynn

Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer

Julie joined WaterStone Bank in 2016 with over 30 years of top performance in banking, spanning corporate strategy, colleague experience, and retail management. Throughout her tenure in banking, Julie has held many positions, most notably Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer. Her extensive background includes oversight of business development with both consumers and companies, sales leadership, maintenance of operational integrity, and extensive community service.

Julie currently serves on the board of directors for the Waukesha County Community Foundation, is the Nominating Committee Chair for Milwaukee Women, Inc. and is the Executive Chair for the Susan G. Komen Southeastern WI Leadership Committee.

Ryan Gordon

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

Ryan joined the WaterStone Bank Team in 2008 as an intern. Throughout his tenure with the bank, Ryan has held many positions in the Credit field, most notably the Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer.

Ryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate and Finance, and an MBA with a Finance emphasis from Marquette University.

Ryan lives in Menomonee Falls with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys staying active, traveling, golf, attending sporting events, and spending time with family.

Don Bray

Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Marlene Molter

Vice President, Director of Human Resources

Marlene joined WaterStone Bank in 2016 with over two decades of human resources experience, most recently serving as the VP – Senior Human Resources Business Partner with Associated Bank. Marlene thrives off of the interactions she experiences every day with employees. Watching individuals grow within their careers and develop as professionals is what inspires her and continues to shape her love of the field.

Marlene serves on the Finance Industry Advisory Board for Employ Milwaukee and a member of the Milwaukee Industry Liaison Group. She is also an avid Badger fan, staying true to her alma mater.