people’s dreams come true, which also has a positive impact on your life. And those types of relationships stick with you. Woodbury distinctly remembers a father-son duo who were First Nebraska Bank customers in financial distress during the mid-1990s. They were in a cattle feeding/farming operation together, but the operation could not support both of them. They asked Woodbury for advice, and he suggested that the father maintain the farming operation while the son got a job in town; then, when the father was ready to retire, the farm would still be there for the son to return to. Woodbury said the father and son implemented the plan he had suggested, and it was working very, very well. Then, the son decided to leave farming and liquidated. Later on, he and his wife looked to purchase a home but experienced difficulties financing it. The father mentioned this to Woodbury, who said to have the son come see him. “He and his wife came in. I said, ‘Let me help you get through this. Let’s fix this.’ And they said, ‘Well, we didn’t think you’d help us because the bank took a loss when we liquidated.’ And I said, ‘Look, you did everything you said you were going to do. You were honorable people; we want to do business with honorable people. Now we’re going to do what we said we’d do — we’re going to support you,’” Woodbury recalled. Unfortunately, the son had a tragic accident and lost his life. “But the father still remembers that conversation. He still calls me up. We still visit about the impact [the plan] had on him and his family and how positive it was,” Woodbury said. Banks are one of the first places that people go when seeking monetary support for projects throughout the community, but they’re not always looking primarily for financial contributions. “Sometimes they’re just looking for the bank to endorse whatever they’re trying to do to give them some legitimacy or some chops, so to speak, when they go out and talk to other people, which is a testament to how we’re viewed — that our endorsements, our support, is sought after,” Woodbury said. “If you get into banking just because you want a paycheck, you’re going to be disappointed. You’re never going to feel fulfilled,” Woodbury said. He emphasized the importance of being driven to give back, volunteer and provide counsel. When you look at the growing, thriving communities in our great state, you find that they have a strong community banking presence and are willing to put forth resources to “move the needle” on worthwhile projects. Bank employees are strong community stakeholders who volunteer their time and talents to improve the lives of their neighbors and friends. Woodbury said, “I really believe that this is important to commit to if you pursue a career in banking. If you really want to have a career where you can have self-satisfaction that what you’re doing makes a difference, banking is a great place to be.” MORE ABOUT WOODY Woody has been active in the NBA, serving on the NBA Board of Directors, Chair of the Government Relations Committee and as a member of the NBA BankPAC and NBA Education Advisory Committees. He is also a graduate of the Kansas/Nebraska Schools of Banking. At the local level, Woody has also assumed many volunteer leadership roles that have allowed him to make a positive impact in his community. He served as Chairman of the Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Committee and led Stanton Economic Development, as well as the Emerson Development Corporation. Additionally, he has been actively involved with the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. 10 Nebraska Banker
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