Professional, community, and civic organizations: Metropolis Chamber of Commerce Member, National Alliance of Insurance Member What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? A good friend asked if I was interested in working for his company (Gower) and at first, I was apprehensive knowing nothing about insurance. Once I was here for a couple of months I was hooked. It is so interesting and there is always more to learn. I enjoy the search for the best products and premiums for our clients. What specific steps or strategies did you take to become successful in your field? I always try to learn as much as I can about my field. In past careers, I have done so and then got bored when I felt there was nothing else for me to learn. In insurance, I don’t see that ever happening. I am currently working on my CIC certification and am learning so much more as I complete these classes. I truly learn something new every day and that is how I know that this is the best field for me. Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your professional growth? Bill Gower has been an amazing mentor for me as I learn the insurance industry. He and his wife, Nancy, built this agency from their kitchen table and it has grown into an amazing place to work. He has always encouraged me to learn as much as I can about the industry and products. He is a wealth of knowledge and can always give us an answer or how to get the answer. I hope that one day I will be able to do the same. Professional, community, and civic organizations: Paducah Young Professionals, Charity League of Paducah Past President, Leadership Paducah Alumni, Paducah Chamber Membership Campaign Teammate What specific steps or strategies did you take to become successful in your field? After completing college, I remained determined to further my knowledge anytime the opportunity was presented. This led me to complete KBA’s Banking School, and several certifications related to specific areas of banking. A pivotal moment in my career was the first time I accepted a management position even though I felt I was not fully ready; however, I was encouraged by leaders in my organization and trusted their vision. This led to many challenges that pushed me to become better and further my knowledge, recognizing sometimes you must take a chance, trust others, and step out of your comfort zone to grow. What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? I began working in the banking industry as a teller when I was in college as a biology major because I thought it would be a great job while I was in school. Quickly I found that I enjoyed the client interaction and found the industry fascinating, so I changed my major to business and continued to work towards goals in the financial industry. The industry is multifaceted, and I loved that there were so many paths that you could explore while assisting others in making important financial decisions that would positively impact their lives. Sponsored by 40 Under Forty 18 SEPTEMBER 2023 Professional, community, and civic organizations: Family Service Society Vice President, Paducah Young Professionals Member, Leadership Paducah Class #34 Graduate What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? When I started as a part-time bank teller, I had no plans to enter into a banking career. My plan was always to attend law school after undergrad at Murray State. Two years later, a burnt-out-on-school college senior was dreading taking the LSAT when they were offered a position to move to CFSB’s new location in Paducah and thought, “I’ll do this for a little bit.” Six months later, I had changed positions twice and found myself as a commercial lending assistant to a seasoned commercial lender. After the first commercial loan transaction, I was hooked. I saw this position as a way that I could help our community grow while making people’s lifelong dreams a reality. It wasn’t long after that when I knew I wasn’t leaving to go to law school and Paducah would be my home. Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your professional growth? Too many wonderful people have impacted me to be able to name them all here! One of the most impactful mentors to my current role would have to be Randell Blackburn, past McCracken County Market President at CFSB. Anyone who knows Randell knows how easy-going and laidback he is in any situation. One thing he would always say to me in times of stress is “stressing about this is not how you live as long as I have.” It took a little while, but I truly learned to realize that some things simply aren’t worth stressing about. I can attribute that to Randell Blackburn! Lindsey Stoner Commercial Lines CSR, Gower Agency, LLC Magen Tinsley Private Wealth Relationship Manager, Paducah Bank Matthew Turley Senior Commercial Lender, CFSB
