Independent Banker - April 2019 - 54

business world. It is something all community bankers
should be proud to be part of.
Heitkamp: I realized early on that community banking
was going to be my journey. You hear all the time that
community banking isn't a job; it's a calling. I was " called "
to this industry at an early age, and it was because I saw
firsthand people helping people. I get to hear great stories
of how we helped someone's parent who had a vision,
but just needed someone to believe in and invest in their
I WANT TO HELP MENTOR
AND FOSTER THE SAME
KIND OF PASSION I HAVE
FOR COMMUNITY BANKING
IN OTHERS.
-NOAH WILCOX
vision. We get to do that every day, and I can't think of
anything more rewarding than to help someone achieve
their dream.
Loving: I realized it was what I wanted to do early on in
my first job. Giving back to the community and helping our
customers struck a chord with me. I have worked at various
institutions in my career, but it wasn't until I almost went to
work for a large institution that I realized the real difference
in the models and approach to banking. Truly, community
banking was the winner and the way I wanted to go.
Who is or was your professional mentor?
Kennedy: My late father-in-law, J. J. Johnson, leveraged
virtually all his assets to acquire a failing community bank.
He taught me the value of a person's character, and the
importance of building and maintaining relationships.
Also, former ICBA chairman Rusty Cloutier inspired me,
by word and deed, to be an industry advocate, and former
ICBA president and CEO Cam Fine showed me that
advocating for something one believes in passionately can
be bare-knuckles combat, not for the faint of heart.
Wilcox: I have and have had many mentors over the years.
But two of the most prominent in my life have been my
grandfather, who I worked alongside for nearly 20 years
54 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q April 2019
prior to his death in 2014, and my father, with whom I
worked for years until his retirement in 2014. My father
and I still discuss the business regularly.
Underwood: I had so many mentors throughout my
career and owe so much to all of them. Betsey Timm
and Dennis Logue, to name just two. Most impactful was
my dad, Robert Grant, a banker himself. When I had
doubts about moving to a new position, Dad was always
there to convince me that I was ready to take the leap.
Fisher: I have many friends and other bankers who I
consider to be mentors, including two of the names here0.
But that being said, I have to say that my father has always
been my biggest mentor. He has always given me enough
room to make mistakes, but then we discuss what I could
do differently. In 2003, when I took over running the bank,
he gave me the freedom to go in the direction I saw as a fit
for the bank. He really built the foundation for the bank
to be able to grow and become the successful organization
that we are today.
Frazier: I've been fortunate to learn how to be a
community banker and the power of relationships from Joe
Boling, and I was taught the power of communicating from
the heart by Dontá Wilson and the business of business by
Bernard Clineburg. All three were or are very successful
bankers, and I am thankful to have worked for them.
Zimmerman: My professional mentor was Ernie Rua, a
partner with KPMG Peat Marwick. He was the managing
partner of the Pittsburgh office when I started my public
accounting career. He was very professional, intelligent
and, most of all, down to earth and fair. I admired him
for having both feet on the ground and taking a practical
approach to a problem rather than a theoretical one. He
related well to the partners and the lowest-level staff.
Heitkamp: I have had many mentors along the way, but
one individual stands out above them all, and that's my
dad, Harlan Heitkamp. His integrity and optimistic nature
continue to guide me and inspire me.
Loving: My first banking job gave me the opportunity
to learn many aspects of banking. The president and
CEO, Al Dye, had a unique way of mentoring without
you realizing you were being mentored. I thought I
was learning banking. Actually, I was learning to be a
community banker.
Molly Bennett is executive editor of Independent Banker.
Independent Banker - April 2019

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