Pub. 9 2018 Issue 3

www.wvbankers.org 8 West Virginia Banker How did you get into the banking business? I had just started my freshman year in the fall of 1982 at Mar- shall University and my dad, who was a physician, mentioned to me that one of his patients, the Personnel Director of The First Huntington National Bank, said they needed some part- time tellers. So, I put on a tie, walked into his office and ap- plied for the job. The rest is history. Due to that one doctor appointment, as fate would have it, not only did a current 36- year banking career start, but I met my wife-to-be at the bank (just celebrated our 32nd anniversary with our three children). Who is the one person who has had the greatest influ- ence on your career? Bob Beymer. He was one of the founders of First Sentry Bank and its first President & CEO and the only Chairman of the Board. Mr. Beymer hired me from First Huntington (Bank One at the time) in 1997 and gave me the opportunity to lead First Sentry in 2001 without any experience of leading an organi- zation. He let me make mistakes but he made sure I learned from them. I still value my daily meetings with Mr. Beymer. He was the President of Security Bank in Huntington (now BB&T) when he was in his early 30’s, and he convinced the First Sentry’s board that I could lead the bank when I was 36. He instilled the confidence in me that I didn’t have prior and his influence will be with me forever. What is the best advice you have received during your banking career? I have received such great advice from so many people in my career that it is difficult to pinpoint one as being the best. I have been blessed to have worked with and to be associated with some great bankers and great people over the years. I have learned a great deal from others as I cherish their guid- ance and advice, but when I first think of “best advice”, I think of my dad and one of my former pastors. My dad would tell me how important it was to be efficient, to be involved, and to be on time. He always empathized with his patients to the point he would tell me he would try to think like his patients so he would anticipate what they were going through in their lives. That’s where my passion for “thinking like a customer” comes from, and is the foundation for my commitment to customer service. I want the custom- er to have a great experience every time they come to the bank or every time they use their banking application on their smartphone. I take it personally when we don’t live up to expectations. I want customers to know that I care and that I am there for them if they have any issues, and I really think this comes from my dad. As I further reflect on the “best advice I received” the follow- ing is more centered on life versus banking. It came from the late Dr. R.F. Smith, Jr., who was my pastor at the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. I was “nailed to the pew” when in the mid 1980’s Dr. Smith delivered the following statement in one of his sermons, “Don’t work at your play. Don’t play at your wor- ship, and don’t worship your work.” This gave me a perspec- tive that has been very important and instrumental in my life these last three decades. What is some advice you would give to emerging lead- ers in the banking industry? We used a statement at First Sentry, “Bloom where you are planted.” Make the most of your current situation, and it will be the catalyst for future success. Banking has changed tremendously over the years, but one fundamental thing has not changed: helping the customer accomplish their dreams, solve their problems and fill their needs. It is a noble profes- sion that I take very seriously, and I would urge the next gen- eration of leaders to take pride knowing that they are making a difference in others’ lives. Meet Your Chairman – Geoff Sheils