People You Should Know
Jill A. Cox
Vice President of Commercial Banking at Boone County National Bank
AGE: 47
JOB DESCRIPTION: Commercial lender responsible for originating and monitoring loans to businesses and individuals for construction, development and business-related needs.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: I came to Columbia in the fall of 1980 to attend Columbia College and never left.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: West Union, Iowa-population 2,500. My parents and my husband’s parents still live in West Union and we love to go “home” for holidays and to visit with family and friends.
EDUCATION: B.A. Business Administration from Columbia College; B.A. Fashion Merchandising from Columbia College
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign Captain, Women’s Network, Smithton PTSA, Hickman PTSA, Columbia Public Schools Foundation board member, Professional Leaders Auxiliary of Assistance League, United Way campaign volunteer, Missouri United Methodist Church Finance Committee and Altar Guild chair.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Began at BCNB as a customer service representative in 1988. Later became a credit analyst, then a loan review analyst and loan review officer before becoming a commercial loan officer in 1993.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: There are many people that I have worked closely with that have been instrumental in shaping my career. However, I particularly admire the personal and professional qualities of Bo Fraser and Vicki Dunscombe. Bo and Vicki are excellent leaders. They are sincere and caring and there are very few people more committed to the community. I strive every day to emulate their example.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I find it rewarding to help people fulfill their dreams-whether it is constructing a home, starting a business, or developing a large project. I take pride in giving them the best service possible in an effort to make them lifelong customers of the bank.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: In an area of banking that is traditionally dominated by men, I have established a lending career. I have been afforded this position by working for an institution that is not close-minded and has given me opportunities that I hope I have earned. The men I have worked closely with in banking have always made me feel like a part of the team.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the Total Resource Campaign for the Chamber of Commerce as the captain of the BCNB team the past few years. It is fun to work toward a challenging goal with a group of people I admire.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: There are definitely stressful times and difficult decisions that have to be made as a lender. However, I have found that the benefits associated with banking far outweigh the difficult moments. The greatest perk is the relationships that I have been able to build with customers, coworkers and community leaders and volunteers over the years.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I enjoy spending time with family, reading, watching our boys play soccer and golf and following Iowa Hawkeye and Missouri Tiger sports.
FAMILY: Husband, Art, and three sons, Jordan, 21, Taylor, 16 and Carter, 12.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: At home with my family or on a soccer field or golf course watching one of my sons.
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD: Potato Lake at Park Rapids, Minn. My entire family, now 21 of us, has vacationed together at this particular lake every summer for more than 30 years.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: My 23-year marriage to my husband, Art, and our three boys.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Married my high school sweetheart and that my dad is a retired bank president.