How did you get started in the banking industry? My father was a community bank president and CEO. I grew up in the bank but eventually left and didn’t think banking was in my future. I needed a summer job during graduate school and GSBC was hiring assistants for its summer session. On my first day, former GSBC President Tim Koch commented on the small-town Iowa dealership sticker on the back of my car. I shared that its owner is a board member of my dad’s, and it was our practice as a community banking family to support local businesses. The following February, I received an invitation to interview for the director of marketing vacancy. Tim later joked that I passed the “test” the very first day! What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? My dad’s career is an example of what GSBC fosters nationwide. A banking school was part of his development and had our Executive Development Institute for Community Bankers been in existence, he would have fit the bill for it perfectly during his promotion. One of my favorite quotes about our industry is by Glen Jammaron of Alpine Bank, who said, “I started in banking because I needed a job, and I stayed in banking because I care about the community, and I care about the community I’m in.” The values of our industry are exceptional. Giving back isn’t something community bankers do to measure or justify efforts; it is core to who they are. GSBC’s mission is to equip them with knowledge, ideas and relationships to make a lasting impact on their customers and communities. What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? The impact of the GSBC experience on a banking career. Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know. I am a former NCAA Division I athlete (and have a Kansas State University letter jacket to prove it!) … in women’s equestrian. Josie Bunch Vice President of Strategy & Experience Graduate School of Banking at Colorado CBA Centerpoint How did you get started in the banking industry? When I was 19 years old, my mentor, Haroun Cowans, insisted I get a thorough understanding of finances and the financial industry to aid me throughout my life. I was afforded an opportunity to work for a great institution and learn many aspects of retail banking. Learning the importance of building relationships both internally and with clients continues to be the base of my personal and professional growth. What makes your bank unique? FirstBank puts a large emphasis on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). I am a proud member of our internal Greenwood Community, which is a Black/African American employee resource group. This group provides Black/African Americans and those who support the Black community a platform to speak candidly regarding social issues while personally giving me an opportunity to be a confident professional Black man. While networking is an added benefit, the community aspect of this group vividly shows how an institution can have a successful platform to comfortably be Black. What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? As someone who loves their job, I can thoroughly speak on mortgage rates and mortgage pricing. I understand and can relay how indexes affect mortgage pricing, how a bank’s funding position can be impacted by liquidity and how margins can impact net profitability. I get excited even thinking about it! What do you geek out about? As a child at heart, I love Nintendo. My friends and I have played a game called Super Smash Brothers since its inception and have played consistently for the last 15 years. For those who know, we are all Elite Smashers, as Smash is life. What do you listen to on your morning commute? I enjoy both classical music and the Morning Edition on NPR. Having both of my children exposed to the dialogue and stimulating conversations continues to develop them academically and socially. I alternate between the two stations, 88.1 and 90.1, to be enlightened, engaged and prepared for the upcoming challenges of the day. Deontae Cowans Lock Desk Supervisor FirstBank — Mortgage Consumer Lending Colorado Banker 12
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