David Griffin
Senior Vice President, Director of Facilities, Security Officer
Colony Bank, Fitzgerald
Vice Chair, 2021-2022 GBA Security Committee
Q: What was your first job, and was there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: I began working with my dad at the age of 13 at his locally owned TV shop. It was instilled in me to do my best, provide excellent service when waiting on the customers and give a full day’s work for a full day’s pay.
Q: What was the most useful piece of advice you received from a mentor or in the early/formative years of your career?
A: I began working in banking in 1978, and the bank president spent a lot of time working with me and explaining how to become the best employee in the bank. He continually praised me when I did something exceptional and was quick to guide me in the right way when I did something in a way that could be improved. He was instrumental in proving me the opportunity to move from a teller to vault teller to a consumer lender then branch manager. I am forever grateful for that experience.
Q: Tell us about one experience you’ve had that exemplifies being a banker, such as a service story that really helped a customer or a quirky story.
A: As a consumer lender, I dealt with a lady who had a good job but not credit history. She was in need of transportation. After several meetings with her, I explained that she did not meet the criteria of our loan policy but that I was going to trust her and give her a chance. To this day, when I see her, she always tells me how thankful she is that I believed in her and made the loan. She is still a good customer of Colony.
Q: Top Three…
- Book that you love/has made an impact? The Energy Bus
- Most used app? Google suite
- TV show or series you love? HGTV
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: I sang in a quartet beginning at the age of 15. We were voted the top male quartet of the year by the Gospel Music Association.