Pub. 1 2010 Issue 3

fall 2010 5 J im has served the Association’s board of directors since 2000 and has been a member of the Execu- tive Committee for two years. He was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to sit down with us and share the following for our readers. Age: 60 years young. Born March 29, 1950 in McDowell County Title: President and CEO Financial Institution: Pioneer Community Bank Hometown: Premier, WV Meet Jim Sizemore – Your 2010-2011 Chairman James “Jim” Sizemore was elected 2010-11 Chairman of the West Virginia Bankers Association during our 117th Annual Convention Education: I attended Bluefield State College (Business Management); the Graduate School of Banking, Univer- sity of Wisconsin (Community Bank Management); University of Oklahoma (Installment Lending); and University of Tennessee (Commercial Lending). How I Got Into the Banking Business: After my father-in-law was killed while working as a police officer, I was help- ing my mother-in-law with business affairs at the bank. I was approached by an employee who said the bank was looking for a young man to place in their training program. One Thing That’s Unique About My Bank: Our focus of personal service to customers How Will the Industry Change in the Next Decade: I think the new regula- tions from the Frank Dodd Act will make it more difficult to make loans and retain deposits. The One Person Who’s Had The Greatest Influence On My Career: Two people had a great influence on my career - Noah Dell’Orso, Cashier, and Milton Steward, Vice President, of the Bank of War. These gentlemen encouraged me to go through the bank training program. Recent Accomplishment: The Amer- ibank purchases in September 2008. The purchase increased Pioneer Community Bank from a $65M bank to a $115M bank. First Job: My first job was bagging groceries at Deskins Supermarket when I was sixteen years old. I worked there for two years. Biggest Career Break: Getting out of coal mines, joining army, and getting into banking. I only spent five months working in a coal mine before real- izing that was not for me. From there I joined the Army and with just a few months left in my tour of duty, I entered the bank training program. The Toughest Part Of The Job: Deal- ing with every changing regulations Other Careers I Would Try If I Wasn’t A Banker: I would consider either the legal or accounting fields. They appear to have much less stress than banking! The Best Advice I Ever Received: Treat others as you want them to treat you. About My Family: Married Barbara Boothe Sizemore in 1970; one daughter, Kristi; two granddaughters, Kourtni (9) and Hailey (5). Q Meet Jim Sizemore — continued on page 6