AGE: 37
TITLE: Vice President Commercial Lending
COMPANY NAME: People’s United Bank
COMPANY’S LOCATION: Hartford
RESIDENCE: Hartford
What do you do? I am focused on lending to medium-sized businesses in need of working capital, equipment financing, acquisition financing or other general business needs. Although the general thought is that “banks aren’t lending,” the truth is there is plenty of money out there for the right borrower and nothing is more rewarding than knowing that your efforts have helped a local business to obtain its financing needs.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years? Well, if you believe in the Mayan calendar we only have to worry about the next few months. Since I am a bit skeptical of the end of world prediction, I guess I have to answer the question. As boring as it sounds, I imagine I will continue working in some capacity in my current finance roll, only I will be a little bit older and a lot wiser. Hopefully the additional wisdom will allow me to take on added responsibilities and to have grown both personally and professionally.
What is your biggest strength? I think my biggest strength is my ability to take everything in stride and look to find the positive in every situation. Nothing good comes from getting stressed out and harping on the negative. Life doesn’t need to be that difficult. Figure out the problem, find a solution and move on. Obviously there are going to be setbacks but you are defined by how you respond.
Where do you go for new ideas? I try to keep current and look for new ideas through books and articles that I read on a daily basis but a lot of that material can be dated. Fortunately, in my position I am constantly in contact with many influential leaders and minds from different areas such as small business owners, CFO’s, CPA’s, attorneys and other business professionals. But at the same time, I have to find the balance between the bank and the customer. The concerns of the president of a company might be quite different from the president of the bank, but by listening and taking a consultative approach through these friends and centers of influence, I am able to work to create that “win-win” situation.
What is the best advice you received? I would say the best advice I ever received was when I graduated high school and was ready to go off to college. I was at a family party and was told to “enjoy your college years as they are some of your best years and will fly by.” This advice helped me to sit back and take everything in that the college years had to offer. Ever since then, I have tried to live by a similar motto – Be spontaneous. Take things day by day and enjoy the moment.
What service or charitable cause has your attention? I am proud of my position as the chairman of the board for Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. This organization does so much to positively affect the lives of children at risk. We recently held a volunteer recognition event and to hear the stories told from both the Bigs (volunteers) and Littles (Children) is extremely heartwarming. Unfortunately, there are still many children that could use this mentoring and influence in their lives.
