Founder’s Story

While still a senior at Airline High School in Bossier City, Louisiana, she entered the banking world through a Cooperative Office Employment (COE) program. Working afternoons at Bossier Bank & Trust Company, she quickly immersed herself in the Installment Loan Department (now Consumer Lending), mastering operations from the ground up. That early foundation—enabling her to learn every role and master every detail of the documents, the law, and the process—established a standard of precision and accountability that continues to shape how she serves clients today.

Recognized for both technical accuracy and initiative, she was promoted into a customer-facing role, where she prepared loan documentation and managed high-volume dealer financing relationships. By ensuring accuracy at every step, she helped elevate operational standards and improve the client experience. This is an early example of the guiding principle we still follow: doing things right the first time.

As her career progressed, she worked alongside senior leadership through periods of both growth and significant industry disruption, including the FDIC closure of Bossier Bank & Trust in 1986. Navigating that transition provided invaluable experience in resilience, problem-solving, and maintaining client confidence during uncertain times.

In 1987, she was recruited into the Real Estate Division, where she supported leadership through one of the most challenging economic cycles in banking history. With interest rates reaching 17–18% and widespread economic stress, she became a key liaison between the bank and its clients—advocating for solutions, preserving relationships, and reinforcing trust. This period solidified a lifelong commitment to client advocacy and service excellence.

Relocating to Baltimore in 1991, she expanded into mortgage finance and secondary markets, gaining early exposure to structured finance and investment dynamics. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned into Private Banking, where she began a 21-year career serving high-net-worth individuals and families through what is now Bank of America.

During this time, she held multiple leadership roles, ultimately becoming Senior Vice President and Private Client Manager. She worked closely with clients to deliver fully integrated financial strategies—spanning banking, trust, and investment services—while navigating complex regulatory and fiduciary environments. To better serve clients’ evolving needs, she earned her CTFA (Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor) designation, along with Series 7 and 63 licenses and NMLS certification.

At the time of her retirement in 2014, she managed nearly $1 billion in client assets and relationships.