What attracted you to banking as your career?
After my lifelong dream to follow my father into dentistry died with a D+ in freshman biology at DePauw, I had to reimagine my future. I was lucky enough to get an internship at First National Bank of Elkhart for the following summer and the rest in history. It’s the best academic failure I could have hoped for!
What do you enjoy most about banking?
Being a community banker is a dream job for me as I love the opportunity to spend time with a wonderfully diverse group of people in every aspect of my job. We are in a people business and it’s so rewarding to make a difference in our communities and touch so many lives.
Describe a pivotal moment in your career.
My decision to join Lake City Bank in 2000 to rejoin my first boss in banking, Mike Kubacki, who preceded me as CEO. Mike’s impact on my career over the past 40 years has been immeasurable and he has been a terrific mentor and friend.
How does IBA involvement help your career?
The IBA truly makes a difference to every bank of every size in Indiana. Under Amber Van Til’s leadership, the IBA has become one of the best banking associations in the country, and it’s a pleasure to work with Amber and her team to advance the Indiana banking community.
What are your leadership plans for the IBA?
They are pretty simple: Don’t get in the way of the IBA team moving the Indiana banking community forward by providing leadership, and educational and community impact through the Association’s programs. And we’ll have a laser focus on the Financial Services Academy apprenticeship program as we roll it out this fall.
The IBA truly makes a difference to every bank of every size in Indiana.
What advice would you offer to young bankers beginning their careers?
Be intensely curious about everything and learn about the business well beyond your current role in your bank. Community banking provides a wonderful career path.
If you weren’t a banker, what would be your career?
Well, since the dentistry thing didn’t work out, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Community banking is a passion, not a profession, for me and I love doing it every day.
Tell us about an influential person in your life.
My parents, Don and Judy Findlay, set the tone for me from the very beginning and had an impact on every decision I’ve ever made as a result. While Dad passed away in 2022, my 90-year-old Mom keeps going strong!
Describe your life outside the bank. What do you like to do for fun?
My daughters Audrey, in New York City, and Blair, in Chicago, provide me with the opportunity to visit big cities, which I love, although I need to do it more often! My fiancé, Emily, and I are having a great time developing our life together. I also love to play golf with good friends and clients.
