Beyond the Boardroom: Fisher National Bank's Mike Estes

(Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette)
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Estes has deep community ties -- Estes served his term on Fisher's school board last year, and was also on the Fisher United Methodist church council. Editor Jeff D'Alessio asked questions of Debbie's husband, Sam. Boyd, Tate, and Kennedy's granddad. My wonderful wife has given me 'My Three Sons'. This was long before I decided I wanted to become a community banker. Now I'm learning how to be a grandpa with two grandchildren
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My office walls include... Larry Kanfer photos from my grandparents' wooded land south of Fisher where I was a child; plaques from various boards; and two framed articles that The Wall Street Journal has photographed me and in which I was quoted.
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Keep the meeting on topic and focused. It's easy to lose focus and drift off from the topic.
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I was a great admirer of his work and followed it with great interest when he decided to go into banking. He called me years ago to ask if I would like to have coffee. He told me he was keeping track of FNB's performance and encouraged me to keep working hard with the goal of leading the bank some day. That was a great vote of confidence from someone whom I respected and admired. The day after my appointment as president/CEO, he called me to remind him about that visit and to thank him for his encouragement.
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It was a great honor to have met with someone so high up in the banking industry. The consensus approach I use to lead has worked well for me. If all ideas and thoughts have been heard, the decision is made. But, it will sometimes disappoint others. My staff will describe me as faithful, fair, and funny.
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I am frugal in this... I don’t believe there is a part of my life that I don’t consider frugal. It is something I am confident my husband, boys, and co-workers will all agree with. They call it being cheap. I call it being 'fiscally accountable. I say 'fiscally responsible. I don't know Mr. Khan, but I can only imagine how he would live a week managing business around the globe.
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Khan personally, but I have great respect for his achievements. I am happily married to her. I also help around the house.
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There is always a project. Even though my wife couldn't afford it, she encouraged me to go. Last year, I surprised her by taking her to Pebble Beach and other courses. Of course, it cost twice as much for me as the trip for men.
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I don't think I was frugal once. The most valuable college class I took at Parkland College was Principles of Banking. Although I don't remember the name of the instructor, I do know that it was a well-known banker in the region. I don't remember who taught it, but I do know that it was a prominent banker in the area. My exercise routine includes a slow walk or jog for three to three-and a half miles per day.
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This is what I do every day. It's outside, rain or shine, snow, wind or hot. Walking beans was the worst job I have ever held.
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It was around 9-10 years old when I began. It was wet, cold, and often muddy in the morning and hot and humid by afternoon. The misery was made worse by the mosquitoes and flies. It was hard, but it was worth it.
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Community bankers around the country were able to demonstrate once again the importance of this business model during the pandemic.