Community banks are the backbone of our communities, so we want to help them thrive. What do you love about your job? I have an incredible team, most of whom have been here for 15-plus years. We also have a direct line of contact with our co-founders. I can pick up the phone any day and call Al Crawford or Eric Castro and say, “Hey, I have a question,” “I have an idea” or “I heard this from our community bankers at this conference.” They encourage it and they will not only hear it, but they’ll retain it and decide if it’s right for us. They’re also involved in educating our bankers and making sure there is direct communication with them. We hold regional and national seminars where the executive team not only talk to the bankers, but talk with the bankers, mingle and get involved in every activity. We function like a family-run company, but we are the size of a corporation. Why is being a member of ICBC important to you? It’s so different being at the ICBC conference than if I were to go to any other state. It was like being at a family or college reunion. They’ve all known us forever and everybody’s running up, hugging each other and saying hello. You can also tell that there are generational employees with ICBC. I think there were at least nine people who came over and said, “Hey, I’m retiring next week. This is the person who is taking over for me, get connected with them.” The relationship dynamic of the ICBC team and membership makes it exciting to become a part of it. Anything else you’d like to add? As I mentioned before, we have an open-door policy, and I want that to extend to me. So, if there is anyone who has questions, if there’s anyone who has anything they want to talk about, you can reach out to me at any time. To learn more about the benefits that a partnership with BHG Financial Institutional Network brings, please email Alexis at simonsa@bhg-inc.com. INDEPENDENT REPORT | 9
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