Market President, First State Community Bank

Job description: My responsibilities are to lead and grow the Columbia, Boonville, and Marshall markets for our Central Missouri team.

Professional background: I started in banking when I was in college at Mizzou in 2002. My first job was as a part-time teller and then I eventually opened accounts and made small consumer loans. Joe Miller and Matt Williams encouraged me to move into commercial loan processing and credit analysis. I have been so fortunate to learn from some of the best bankers in Columbia.

Hometown: Novelty, Missouri 

Years lived in Columbia: I moved to Columbia in the fall of 2002 when I started college at Mizzou. I met my wife, Tory, at Mizzou and we made Columbia our permanent home.    

Quote you live by: My high school basketball coach always told us, “Nothing works unless you do!” which was always a favorite of mine. The other one I use daily is from Joe Miller, “It is never as good as it seems or never as bad as it seems but somewhere in between.”

Favorite volunteer/community activity: Currently I serve as the Boys & Girls Club Board Chair. I love what that organization does for our youth. BGC has had so much support in our community over the years and it has been an honor to be a small part of the organization. I have been fortunate to work with Rainbow House, Love Columbia, and Boy Scouts in my time in Columbia.  

Favorite recent project: We have been remodeling our bank location on Bethel and Nifong. It has been a little like living in your home while remodeling — challenging and rewarding all at the same time. This remodel will allow us to put several of our team members and product partners into one building.    

A Columbia businessperson you admire and why: Columbia is full of incredible businesspeople. I have had some tremendous mentors and friends over the years including Joe Miller, Matt Moore, Matt Williams, and Jim Schatz. If I can earn a small amount of the respect most in Columbia have for these individuals, I will consider my career a success.  

If you weren’t doing this for a living, what would you be doing: Coming from a small town with an older brother and sister active in athletics I had a passion for sports and participated year round, playing several different ones throughout the year. When I was 13 my brother randomly talked me into playing golf with him, which I had never done. I was instantly hooked and obsessed with the game. I knew I was never good enough to make money playing the sport (other than our regular game at Old Hawthorne on Saturday morning). My plan was to go into the golf business in some capacity. Luckily for me, I was able to stay connected with golf through banking.

Why are you passionate about your job: I tend to be conservative and risk-averse, which is good for a banker I suppose. Entrepreneurs and the calculated risks they take to innovate and be successful have always been fascinating to me. I love being around creative people and those willing to start their own new path even though that isn’t in my nature. I am so fulfilled when seeing one of my clients achieve their dreams, especially knowing the risks that it took to ultimately accomplish.

Why are you passionate about your company: Organizations talk all the time about culture. In my time of nearly seven years with First State Community Bank I can say it isn’t just talk. Products and services that banks offer do not vary much but what matters are the people. We have a family atmosphere that thrives based on the focus of our core values. I know it sounds corny, but I didn’t realize how true it was until I joined this team.

What people should know about your profession: Banking is a changing industry. It impacts every aspect of your life both professionally and personally. In the current economic environment things seem to change quickly and having an established and trusted relationship with a community-focused bank can make all the difference. 

Your next professional goal: We are in growth mode at First State Community Bank. My role has changed over the last few years to focus less on production and more on growing our team. This is an area where I hope to find ways to be impactful.  

Biggest lesson learned in business: The biggest lessons I have learned in business are relationships are a huge part of success, self-awareness is one of the best qualities a person can possess, and being genuine when dealing with others is something that will never send you down the wrong path.  

How you want to impact the Columbia community: The approach I have always taken whether it is a nonprofit board, a charity golf tournament, or something through our church at Alive in Christ is to leave whatever it is a little better than you found it. Connecting people with the resources they need or being willing to help others may not dramatically impact the Columbia community but it sure will have a dramatic impact on the life of that individual.  

Greatest strength: Dependability. When I make a commitment, I can see it through and do what I say I am going to do.

Greatest weakness: Stress. I am no doubt my mother’s son and God bless her she is a worrier. That is a trait I inherited from her.  

What you do for fun: I love to play golf. It has been a huge part of my life and something that has afforded me some great opportunities. My wife and I love to travel but unfortunately for her most of the places we travel are where I want to play golf, but she likes that it gives us a specific destination and a plan!

Favorite place in Columbia: My favorite place in Columbia is either at Old Hawthorne on the golf course or at our tailgate in Lot O at Mizzou football games.  

Accomplishment you are most proud of: I am really proud of the team we have built at First State Community Bank. When I made the decision to join the team at FSCB it was scary and new but allowed me the opportunity to put my own stamp on something professionally. The group of people that we have assembled in Columbia is the best and is like family to me.