Atlanta Magazine features new Atlanta Market CEO
The article below features Connie Beck, our new Atlanta Market CEO. In the interview, published online by Atlanta Woman magazine, Connie emphasizes the importance of focusing on our customers to grow our market share in Atlanta.
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Meet the Atlanta Woman of the Week, one of the city's leading professional women, who is making a difference in her
industry and her community. |
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New Atlanta CEO SouthTrust Bank |
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Q: What was your first thought when offered this position in Atlanta?
A: I was excited about joining the Atlanta team, and I thought their focus on customers was a great fit for my personality and business sense. In terms of living in Atlanta, I’m really excited – I’ve had great experiences in Atlanta with customers, and I have a very comfortable feeling about living and doing business here. I think I speak the language, considering my Texas drawl will be welcomed in Atlanta. Also, I sense Atlanta is a “can-do” city and a great business community, and I look forward to being part of that.
Q: What’s been the most exciting moment since then?
A: The grand opening of Atlantic Station, the Atlanta headquarters for SouthTrust. I had an opportunity to meet my new teammates, customers and community leaders. Every person made me feel welcome to the community and the bank.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Customers! Working with customers, helping them build their businesses, helping individuals achieve their dreams.
Q: If you weren't in your current position, what would be your dream job?
A: My dream job would be to be an international correspondent for CNN. I’m interested in current events and international affairs. Working for CNN, I’d be an active observer of history-in-the-making.
Q: How do you plan to network with other women leaders in Atlanta?
A: I’ve had emails and voice mails from around the country from friends and colleagues making suggestions of great people to know as I settle in Atlanta. So, I expect it will be relatively easy to meet business people and community leaders within a short period of time. I’m already a member of the International Women’s Forum and the Committee of 200, and I hope to become an active member of the Atlanta chapters. I fully expect to be actively engaged in the Atlanta community in months to come.
Q: What is the biggest opportunity you hope to explore? A: The greatest opportunity is to grow customers
and market share in the Atlanta market for SouthTrust Bank. We’ve been in
business in Atlanta for 15 years, and we’ve created substantial momentum in
recent years. Our greatest opportunity is to increase our visibility, our
presence, our image and our customer base in Atlanta. Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: My father’s branding iron. My father is deceased, but I loved him very much. He raised cattle in Texas, and his brand was called the “Tumbling T,” and having that branding iron reminds me of all the values he taught and the love he had for me. Some of the values he instilled in me were to be honest, decent, courteous, to respect others, to work hard and to be very family-focused.
Q: What is the most powerful word in the English language? A: Love.
Q: Who has been your greatest mentor? A: One of my first mentors was a high school teacher, Miss Hambright. She encouraged me to be an airline pilot, which was a very farfetched idea. Women weren’t allowed in the cockpit at that time. She urged me to think beyond today’s limitation. As I mentor people, I want them to look beyond barriers that are in place today.
Q: What three words would you use to describe yourself? A: Energetic, professional and committed.
SouthTrust Corporation, a $52.7-billion regional bankholding company, operates 92 branches in the metro Atlanta area. www.southtrust.com |
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