GOING BEYOND THE DESK TO HEAR THE STORIES OF COLORADO BANKERS Brita Jones Director of Training Bank of Colorado How did you get started in the banking industry? My high school encouraged us to explore various career paths through job shadowing. I chose to shadow both a dental hygienist and a banker. It didn’t take long for me to realize that dental work was not my calling! However, I found my experience at the bank quite exciting. Fortunately, during my senior year, I participated in a work/study program at a local family-owned bank. I was given various tasks, from shredding old documents in a dusty basement to microfiche scanning, encoding tickets, filing reports and serving as a teller. After high school, I worked at another family-owned bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, while attending college. Upon graduating, I moved to Colorado where I’ve continued my banking career for the past 20 years. Fun fact: My initial job-shadowing experience was with Pinnacle Bank (owned by the same family as Bank of Colorado), bringing my journey full circle from Nebraska in 1999 to joining Bank of Colorado in 2017! What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Being involved in the onboarding process for all our new employees and witnessing their growth from the start is extremely fulfilling. I truly enjoy meeting everyone as they embark on their exciting new journey with Bank of Colorado. Building strong connections with our staff and aiding in their professional development through training and resources keeps me motivated and engaged. I take great pleasure in seeing individuals join us with no prior banking experience and, over time, advance into different roles within the company, expanding their skills and discovering their passion for banking, much like I have. What makes your bank unique? I have always valued working for family-owned banks, and Bank of Colorado is the fourth such bank in my career. The sense of family here is deep-rooted. From the moment I joined, my capabilities, ideas and suggestions were met with trust and support. The internal culture of our bank extends outward to our customers, making them feel like part of the family as well. We stand with our customers and communities through their challenges and celebrations alike. What did you want to be when you grew up? Banking has always been a passion of mine. As a child, my grandma would give me blank deposit slips and old checks to play with, while my grandpa regularly visited my pretend bank as my favorite customer. We even set up a “pretend ATM!” I also had an interest in education, and it seems I’ve managed to blend both interests seamlessly in my career. What is your favorite book and why? My recent favorite read is “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. As an avid reader of historical fiction, I found this novel particularly powerful. It beautifully highlights deep friendships, courage and immense strength. Furthermore, it casts a well-deserved spotlight on the women who served in the military during the Vietnam War, addressing significant yet often overlooked topics. 15 Colorado Banker
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