1. Where are your main bank and branches located? What is the market like?

Our Main Branch is in Odessa, Mo. We have a second branch as well that you would see driving through the downtown of Odessa at our four-way. That was our original location dating back to the late 1800’s! We serve a lot of customers local to Odessa and the Lafayette county area as well as eastern Jackson county and Johnson county, Mo. We mainly specialize in residential lending and helping our customers with their personal and agricultural needs.

2. What is something unique about your bank?

I find that our financing types and how we manage to make deals work are our most unique characteristics. We get calls from all over the central part of the state because a friend, a realtor, or even their current bank told them to call us because it’s something “we could probably get done.” We have a way to get creative or think outside the box to help structure a loan or project, whereas another bank was limited in certain areas.

3. How did you get started in the banking business?

I went to the University of Missouri to pursue a business degree, not knowing what specific field I wanted to end up in. I had always been intrigued by money and finance, as that was what made the world go round. As graduation approached, I applied to many major corporations in the Kansas City Area in which I had heard the best reviews from friends who had also worked there. One day, I received a call from someone I knew and was told the local bank where I grew up was hiring and here I am eight years later!

4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned from this career so far?

It’s harder and harder to trust people these days. I grew up hearing stories from my grandparents and older customers that it was on a handshake when they bought their first car or house. If someone looked you in the eye and shook your hand, it was as good as gold. Nowadays, it seems even those who appear to be your best customers would burn your bridge if it helps them make $100.

5. Tell us about the bank’s community investment efforts.

I would consider our bank one of the biggest investors of our community. We realize it’s the community that keeps us in business, so it’s our job to help give back and help our community grow. We do so in many ways, such as donations for kids for either their sports teams or even 4H projects. We also give in many forms such as scholarships, fundraisers, and recently helping in funding a new multi-sports complex and community center that will be coming to Odessa soon!

6. What’s your favorite thing about your bank/banking in general?

My favorite thing about banking is seeing the results of my job. Whether it is someone coming back in and thanking me for giving them “a chance” to start their business or helping them buy their first car or house. I’ve only been at the Bank of Odessa for eight years now, but as time goes by, I’ve seen more and more of my customers running successful businesses or paying off their first loans and thanking me for a start. Many of the customers I inherited from our previous lenders who have retired always have to tell me about their first car loan or house loan done by a handshake. They brag about how great they were to work with and how they would not be where they are today without the Bank of Odessa’s help. I hope to have the same influence on as many people by the end of my career.

7. If you didn’t have a career in banking, what other career would you choose?

After trying to put together a great article for The Show-Me Banker, I can say it would not be journalism! And if I could take 15 strokes off my golf game, maybe even a run at the PGA! Since that is not happening either, I could see myself starting my own business in a skilled trade. I have always enjoyed working with my hands and physical labor.