FirstBank believes there’s unity in diversity. In February, we observe Black History Month by recognizing and celebrating some of FirstBank’s strongest Black and African American leaders.

Today, we’re featuring the President of Marketing, Gordon Banks.

Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica. Lives in Superior, Colorado.

Years at FirstBank: 20 Years

Other positions held with organizations/boards:

Food Bank of the Rockies – Board of Directors

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

Find good mentors and emulate them. Mentors might not be individuals you interact with daily or weekly, but they should be people you respect. Remember: even the briefest of interactions can go a long way.

Be bold enough to bring forth ideas and concepts for consideration even knowing that they probably will not all get implemented as everything has to be considered in regard to the impact on your team. With that in mind, be patient as nothing ever happens before its time. In order to give yourself the best chance for success, prioritize your work so that you’re working on the most important thing, and don’t be overly concerned with “what’s next.” Focus on the task at hand and do your best work without letting perfect get in the way of good enough.

As a leader, give yourself and those around you some grace, as none of us are perfect. Leaders adjust to individuals who work for/with them, they don’t expect every individual to assimilate to their style. I would add that leaders should not dictate how individuals accomplish their work – each of us is different and getting to the objective should be based on what is effective for each person. Good leaders simply set goals, objectives, expectations and let individuals get there.

Lastly, enjoy life and try to keep in mind that even the hardest times will pass.

How has FirstBank’s companywide philosophy of “banking for good” impacted your life and your career?

Even before our tagline launched in 2017, the pillars have always existed. FirstBank has evolved over time, but the core of the organization has always been constant. This philosophy has allowed me to work and grow with an organization that aligns with who I am.

Considering February is Black History Month, which historical figure/s would you most like to meet and why?

Nelson Mandela – he is a man of grace and dignity even in the face of significant atrocities.

“This page may contain links to external websites. These links are displayed for your convenience. FirstBank does not manage these sites and assumes no responsibility for the content, links, privacy policy, or security policy.”