People You Should Know: Chris Stevens
Chris Stevens, Director of Sales for Relationship Banking
Boone County National Bank
AGE: 41
JOB DESCRIPTION: I lead the sales and development efforts of our Relationship Banking Department. Relationship banking is designed to provide a high level of customer service to our valued clients. Relationship banking houses some of our most seasoned and knowledgeable customer service representatives, each one having an area of expertise.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 24
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Hammond, Louisiana
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Art History
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Right now I am president of the University Club, president of the Arts and Science Alumni Organization, on the board of Mizzou Alumni Association and have recently become involved with the Farmer’s Market Pavilion Project. I recently finished a 10-year stint on the Cultural Affairs Commission. I have been fortunate to get involved with many things that I am passionate about.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: After working eight years in the media business with the Columbia Daily Tribune and KBXR radio, I moved to Boone County National Bank’s student loan department. After three years working with colleges all across the state, I moved to the Relationship Banking department and have been here for almost eight years. My emphasis is acting as a “private banker” with a concentration on faculty, staff and administrators at the University of Missouri.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: I realize that this technically doesn’t answer your question. However, after 24 years in Columbia, there are many people that have shaped my career, influenced me or I just look up to for their passion for Columbia. Here is the short list: Dan Scotten, Marie Hunter, Bo Fraser, John Ott, Fred Parry, John Bailey, Chris Marks, Connie Martin, Arnie Fagan, Richard King and Jerry Dethrow. I also have to put in a plug for my wife, Jennifer Perlow. I am proud of what she and a few others are doing to further the arts in Columbia.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: As cliché as this may sound, I enjoy helping people attain their dreams. Whether it’s a new house or car, sending a child to college, remodeling a kitchen or just setting up a savings plan, I have truly enjoyed being there to help. I try to never say no. If anything, I try my best to offer alternative solutions to whatever the situation may be.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD BE…either running a resort hotel in a tropical location or acting as a scout for a major record label.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Realizing I am a banker. This was not in my career plan in college. In fact, I had to take my mom to my office and show her the name plate on my desk before she would believe that I actually worked at a bank.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I am looking forward to the Farmer’s Market Pavilion Project. I love our farmer’s market. I have visited farmer’s markets all over the country. Although ours may not be as large as some, it still has one of the most diverse product offerings I have seen. Having a permanent, covered facility will only make it better for all of Columbia.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Bankers are not as boring as everyone may think. The old days of a stodgy banker are over. Even the look of banks will continue to evolve into a more retail-oriented, customer-friendly atmosphere. Competition for banking has grown tremendously, not just with more banks, but with many non-banking institutions offering banking products like home loans and CDs. Traditional banks have had to reinvent themselves to become more customer-friendly.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I am kind of a music fanatic. I spend a lot of time reading blogs and magazines trying to find the greatest new music. It’s amazing what is out there that you have never heard of. I wish they made a bigger iPod to hold all of my findings. Suggested reading: “1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die” by Tom Moon.
FAMILY: My wife, Jennifer, two children, Clayton 13 and Charlotte 7, a cat and a dog.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: I know this will sound like a blatant plug, but my favorite place is PS: Gallery. I often make my wife put me on the schedule to work Sundays. I put on some great tunes and walk around the gallery making up stories about my favorite paintings, or I try to come up with a song to fit each piece.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I am very proud of the gallery. When we opened, we wanted to be more than just the gallery. We wanted to be an interactive part of the community. I am proud of the artists we have shown and the respect we have given to them and their work. I have also been pleased to be able to use the gallery for special showings and fundraisers. From the CARE Gallery, Thompson Center for Autism, Hickman High School Honors Class and many more, we have been able to utilize the gallery to show the work of those less fortunate and raise awareness for their causes. Of course the trick is, in order to keep the doors open, we need to sell the work of the artists we represent.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: have toured just about every Civil War battlefield in the country. As a child, we didn’t go to Disney World or the beach. We toured Bull Run, Gettysburg, Manassas and many others. I hated it as a kid but now have a much greater appreciation for this time of American history.