Centerpoint Todd Benson Senior Director, Community Manager FNBO How’d you get started in the banking industry? I’ve been in banking for more than 20 years, working my way through both retail and commercial lending before landing where I am today. What kept me in it was realizing early on that banking, done right, is really about helping people build something — a business, a piece of equipment, a building — and being part of that story alongside them. What do you like to do to give back to the community, either personally or as a bank representative? Northern Colorado is more than just my market. It’s the place where I grew up and have personal roots, so working doesn’t feel like work; it feels like showing up for the community. I spend a lot of time connecting with local businesses, not just to build relationships but because I genuinely want to see them succeed. I’ve served on many boards over the years and currently sit on the Upstate Colorado Economic Development board. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Hands down, it’s helping a business owner close on financing that helps them grow — whether that’s an SBA loan, a new building or helping clients manage their cash flow. Commercial banking can be complicated, and walking someone through that process to a “yes” never gets old. What do you geek out about? Old cars. I’ve got a 1962 Impala, and my son has a 1974 Blazer that we’ve done a lot of work on. There’s something satisfying about diagnosing a problem (and I have plenty of them!) on a 60-year-old machine. It’s not dissimilar from underwriting a loan; you’re troubleshooting, working with limited information and trying to get to the right answer. When I’m not under the hood, I prefer to be traveling or hanging out with the family at kids’ sporting events and the lake! Dan Connell Director of Credit Analysis First Interstate Bank How did you get started in the banking industry? My career in banking started in the management trainee program at a local bank here in Colorado. I had just finished graduate school, was working on a construction crew, and I knew I wanted to work in banking in some capacity. The world was just coming out of the Great Recession at that time, and when I was offered the position, I jumped at it. Since that point, I’ve had a winding path through a variety of functions at several different institutions, including business development, credit review, treasury/ALM and my current role directing enterprise complex credit analysis. What makes your bank unique? What I love about First Interstate Bank is that we sit at a unique inflection point where we can offer the best of two worlds: the scale to handle complex relationships and the local orientation to maintain what makes community banks special. Our focus on building strong relationships within the communities we serve is paramount, but we’re also able to play in a larger sandbox. What is the most important thing you’ve learned from a career in banking? The most important thing I’ve learned in banking is also the most important thing I’ve learned about leadership: The success of your people and the culture you establish is everything. As a leader, I judge my success and effectiveness exclusively through the lens of the success of the individuals within my organization and the type of culture we create together. What do you geek out about? I spend a tremendous amount of my free time reading. My favorite books tend to be autobiographies and biographies of individuals from different walks of life. I find it fascinating to learn about the environment, circumstances and decisions that shape who people become and the perspectives they hold. I recently finished “All That’s Unseen: An Appalachian Memoir” by Emilee Hackney. It chronicles the author’s journey from her upbringing in southwest Virginia to her time at Harvard University and the collision of two very different worlds. CBA Colorado Banker 12
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