People you should know: Annette Bealmear
Vice President, Real Estate Sales Manager First National Bank and Trust Company
AGE: 35
JOB DESCRIPTION: I am the real estate sales manager at First National Bank, where I work with a team of seven other experienced lenders. We are fortunate to be able to work for a bank that can provide great home loans to the people of the community. We can even get creative with loans that don’t necessarily “fit in the box.”
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 29 (I ventured away after college but then soon realized where I really wanted to live.)
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Columbia. I am a local!
EDUCATION: I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Missouri-Columbia.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I am currently co-chairing the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Business Conference and Showcase for 2008. I’m a Columbia Chamber of Commerce ambassador, a steering committee member for Leadership Columbia, a Chamber of Commerce Total Resources Campaign volunteer, a Women’s Network member, a Women’s of Council of Realtors member, a Columbia Board of Realtors affiliate member and a volunteer with the United Way.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: From 1995 to 1999, I worked at Ford Motor Credit in Jefferson City and then transferred to Overland Park, Kan. From 1999 to 2002, I worked for Community Bank of Pettis County in Sedalia, Mo. I started with First National Bank and Trust Company in February 2002.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: I admire all of the professional women who seem to balance work and family life on a daily basis—these women who make it look so effortless each and every day.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I love my job, honestly. I am one of the fortunate ones who can truly say that I enjoy what I do for a living. To work with someone buying their first home and know this is the most expensive transaction they will make, typically, in their lifetime is priceless. I love the feeling that I have made someone’s dream come true. Knowing that I have a great relationship with these customers, I am fortunate to be able to see them again when they are buying their next home in later years. So for me, it is not merely about the transaction but about the ongoing relationship that I have with many of my customers.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Hope to be financially sound so that I could volunteer my time in the community more than I am able to at this time.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: Seriously, the biggest obstacle I have ever encountered in my life is trying to find a balance between work, my community involvement and being a mother to my 5-year-old girl, Payton. I never truly realized how organized in life you have to be to make it all work. Again, I admire all those women who make this look effortless because it is not easy.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I am currently co-chairing the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Business Conference and Showcase for 2008. It has really been a worthwhile experience for me. I enjoy the networking and relationship-building opportunities that this event gives me.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Banking can be—and is—a lot of fun! The networking opportunities and friendships that I have at the bank are great. I love the fact that, again, I try to not make my job merely a transaction but look at it as an opportunity to meet and get to know someone new. It’s all about the relationships. They begin with the customer, then follow to the Realtor and then finish with the title companies, and all along the way have made some great friendships.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: My parents have a place at the Lake of the Ozarks that truly is my great escape in life.
FAMILY: I have a 5-year-old little girl named Payton who is truly the light of my life.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: I am a homebody. Whether I’m at my house, my parents’ house or one of my sisters’ houses, that is my favorite place to be in Columbia. As you can tell, I am a very family-oriented person.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I would have to say, hands down, the accomplishment that I am most proud of is being Payton’s mom. She makes my world!
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: I have an identical twin who also lives here in Columbia, and our birthday is on the Fourth of July! So, if you see me out and about in Columbia and I do not necessarily wave back or engage you in conversation, that just might be my twin sister you see!