Pub. 11 2020 Issue 3

Pub. 11 2020 I Issue 3 Fall 9 West Virginia Banker What are you looking forward to most as the West Virginia chairman? The opportunity to work with bankers around the state — bankers’ in West Virginia are a wonderful group of people who really want to do what is best for their community and work hard every day to make good things happen. What advice would you give emerging leaders in the banking industry? Be open-minded and willing to adapt. A good leader is able to set his own thoughts aside and truly listen to the ideas of others. What is a favorite memory or experience of your career? One of my favorite memories actually came last year when a severe storm caused major flooding in and around the small town of Harman in Randolph County. We assembled a team of volunteers from the bank and spent three days helping shovel mud and water out of basements, clean houses, and carry debris out of yards and just assisting people with what- ever they happened to need. We also donated cleaning sup- plies and dehumidifiers to help with the relief effort. People were sincerely appreciative, and being able to help out and give back was very gratifying. What is something about you that might surprise fellow bankers? I grew up in a home without electricity for most of my childhood. While I didn’t always appreciate it then, I was able to have life experiences that were much more in line with what most bankers grandparents or great-grandpar- ents might have experienced. I’ve read by kerosene lamp, cultivated behind a horse, made molasses, grown tobacco, milked cows by hand, butchered hogs, and done many things that were common to most West Virginians a hun- dred years ago. Please tell us about your family, interests and hobbies. My wife and I have two children, ages 22 and 24. My son graduated from Liberty University and enlisted in the Navy last year. He is currently deployed on the USS Philippine Sea, a guided-missile cruiser based in Mayport, Florida. My daughter graduated last year from Fairmont University and is currently in her first year of law school at Belmont University in Nashville. I enjoy playing golf and backpacking. In the last two years I’ve spent the week after the Banking convention backpacking. It’s a great way to burn off the extra pounds gained from all of the great food at the Greenbrier! I am go- ing to try my hand at bike packing this fall if all goes well. My plan is to ride from Davis to Lewisburg by piecing together three rail-trails along with some back roads. What advice would you give someone entering the banking industry today: There is no substitute for hard work and no shortcut to suc- cess. The best way to advance your career is to bloom where you are planted. Do the best job you can, regardless of your position, and those above you will notice. 