Union State Bank is expanding its mortgage team with the addition of two new Mortgage Loan Officers, strengthening the bank’s ability to serve homebuyers and homeowners across South Central Kansas. Tracy Ryan, based at Union State Bank’s Wichita East location, and Stephen M. Woodburn, Ph.D., based at the Winfield South location, bring unique professional backgrounds, deep community ties and a shared commitment to helping customers navigate one of life’s most important financial decisions.
Ryan joins Union State Bank with 15 years of banking experience, including eight years in the mortgage industry. Her career has included roles ranging from teller to lending and management, most recently serving as Branch Manager and Senior Lender for a multi-state mortgage lending company. She also holds an associate’s degree from Hutchinson Community College. Ryan said the opportunity to help grow Union State Bank’s mortgage presence in Wichita was an immediate draw.
“A friend and previous co-worker referred me to Union State Bank, and when I met Taylor (Nicks, USB’s Director of Mortgage) and Eric (Kurtz, USB’s President and CEO), I knew it would be a fit,” Ryan said. “They are both very down to earth, easy to talk to people that have a vision and goals for the Mortgage Department. Helping to build the Mortgage Department and increase the footprint here in Wichita is a great motivator and challenge.”
For Ryan, mortgage lending is personal because it allows her to support customers from all walks of life. “I love helping people leverage their finances in a way that will make a generational impact,” she said. “Helping people, whether they are a millionaire or a person living paycheck to paycheck, everyone deserves the same level of respect and help.” Her goal in the Wichita market is to make a positive impact for Union State Bank and help as many people as possible realize the dream of owning the home they want.
Woodburn brings an equally distinctive path to the mortgage team. A native of Ohio, he earned a Ph.D. in Russian history from Miami University in Ohio after completing his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College in Illinois. He taught briefly at Wheaton before spending 20 years at Southwestern College in Winfield. After the college closed its history department in 2023, Woodburn transitioned into financial services, working locally as a retail relationship banker.
When the Union State Bank opportunity opened, Woodburn saw a natural fit. “Learning new things is fun, and buying a house is exciting for everyone involved, so I love being part of that,” he said. “I want to leverage my years living here and my network of acquaintances in the Winfield area to become everyone’s go-to mortgage guy.”
Together, Ryan and Woodburn add both experience and approachability to Union State Bank’s mortgage team. Ryan said guiding customers through the homebuying process is “very rewarding and humbling,” especially because reaching the closing table takes teamwork. Woodburn also values the community aspect of the work, noting that he has enjoyed meeting his new coworkers and looks forward to getting to know them better.
Both new lenders are active beyond the workplace. Ryan is beginning volunteer work as a Life Group Coaches’ coach at Life Church and enjoys reading, learning, coffee, chocolate and flowers. She and her husband recently celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary, and she is proud of her children and grandchildren. Woodburn serves on the board of the Spiritual Life Center at the Winfield Correctional Facility, is approaching his 12th gallon as a Red Cross blood donor and runs a highly rated Airbnb in Winfield. He and his wife, Dixie, will celebrate their 35th anniversary in August and enjoy traveling to explore cities and visit relatives.
With Ryan serving customers from Wichita and Woodburn serving the Cowley County area, Union State Bank’s expanded mortgage team is positioned to provide local, responsive service to more families pursuing homeownership. Ryan summed up her approach simply, “I am excited to meet everyone, and my door is always open. I’m here for you and will help in any way I can.”
Tracy Ryan, NMLS# 591564. Stephen Woodburn, Ph.D., NMLS# 2664827.