Are you a veteran, or do you know a veteran, now serving the banking industry? Please share your story with the VBA here.

Jessica Rehmann
Branch Manager, Skyline National Bank

Which branch of the military did you serve and for how long?

I enjoyed the Army Reserves in September 2008 and was Honorably Discharged in August 2016.

Tell us about your path from military service to becoming a banker. What led you to the industry and what has kept you in the industry?

I joined the Army right out of high school because I was always passionate about protecting and serving the community. I initially wanted to receive a degree in Criminal Justice and become a United States Federal Air Marshall. Talk about a career change! In 2013, I was under the realization this career choice would be too risky for my newborn son. I made the best sacrifice I could have imagined. After finishing my contract in 2016, I started as a Universal Banker and wish I started banking sooner. By 2020, I was managing my own branch. Within the first year, we became the #1 branch in the company in the Atlanta Region with sales. I was never so proud of my team and myself for reaching this accomplishment.

What leadership lessons did you learn during your service that have carried over to your banking career?

Take care of your team, always. Always give clear and direct instructions - communication is crucial. Lead by example, let your people know you can roll up your sleeve and help do the dirty work. 

Attracting and retaining talent seems to be an across-the-board issue. What can our industry do to recruit talent from nontraditional avenues, for example, building relationships with veterans groups?

I believe we should be connecting more with high school counselors and counselors at colleges and universities. The reason why I say high school is because a lot of financial institutions have a student tuition program. This would help make our future team members really successful with experience and education.

What is one thing you’d like our readers to know about veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day?

Joining the military regardless of what branch, full-time or as a reservist, they are risking their life to protect their country. Service members are brave. Always thank them for their service.

Lightning round:

1. If you were an action figure, what accessories would be sold with you? I wouldn’t have an accessory, I would have my wolfdog, Jacob, as my sidekick
2. If you could go back and rewatch a show (or re-read a book) for the first time, what would it be? Ted Lasso!
3. Top thing on your bucket list? Explore New Zealand  
4. What habit do you have now that you wish you had started much earlier? Saving money and budgeting
5. If I wasn’t a banker, I would be a …?  I wouldn’t change my current role, but I foresee myself being head of consumer banking and brand experience. I am extremely happy and passionate about where I am today.

Matt Keithley
VP, Regional & Solution Center Manager, Chesapeake Bank

Which branch of the military did you serve and for how long?

Air Force from 1993-1997

Tell us about your path from military service to becoming a banker. What led you to the industry?

My path to the military was interesting in that I grew up in Hampton, VA so I was already extremely familiar with Langley AFB.  When I went through basic training, I selected anywhere to be stationed EXCEPT Langley, and guess where I landed?  Yep, four years at Langley AFB working in the same building with my dorm just across the street. The path from the military to becoming a banker meandered from being interested in hotel/resort management after waiting tables for several years at Chi-Chi’s and Kingsmill Resort to working in several roles at a local community bank; it all prepared me to work in customer service for a bank that I love.  People are the true differentiator in this space because everyone offers checking and savings accounts. 

What leadership lessons did you learn during your service that have carried over to your banking career?

1. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.
2. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
3. Never stop developing leaders.

Attracting and retaining talent seems to be an across-the-board issue. What can our industry do to recruit talent from nontraditional avenues, for example, building relationships with veterans groups?

Look for ways where banking doesn’t have to be about deposits and credits.  Most folks coming out of the military won’t have expertise in the banking industry beyond that of the customer.  So it’s important for us as leaders in the industry to be open-minded and to seek out talent that, at first glance, may not seem like a proper fit.  Peel the onion back, though, and you’ll be surprised at what you can find when you’re not looking through traditional banking lenses. 

What is one thing you’d like our readers to know about veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day?

Veterans have your back and when they say they are going to do something, you can count on it. 

Lightning round:

1. If you were an action figure, what accessories would be sold with you? An apron and a proper spatula to make epic smash burgers
2. If you could go back and rewatch a show (or re-read a book) for the first time, what would it be? No doubt, it would be Breaking Bad
3. Top thing on your bucket list? Go back to Brussels, Belgium for the 3^rd time.  What an amazing place!
4. What habit do you have now that you wish you had started much earlier? To first look inward when there is an issue at hand instead of figuring out who to blame
5. If I wasn’t a banker, I would be a …? Food truck owner