Week 4 Discussion - Bobby Krimmel

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Objective: Transition from being a technical expert (e.g., CPA and MAC students) to a promotable individual within their field.

  • Speaker Introduction:

    • Personal Background:

    • Grew up in North Greene County, near Belton/Baileytown.

    • Earned an undergraduate degree in accounting in 2004 and later a master's degree in accounting.

    • Currently serves as the president and CEO of TouchMark National Bank in North Metro Atlanta.

  • Engagement with Students:

    • Emphasizes an interactive discussion.

    • Plans to share personal career experiences, mistakes made, and successful strategies.

    • Encourages students to share their academic backgrounds and expectations for the discussion.

  • Student Introductions:

    • Hannah Edwards: From Morristown, interested in controlling.

    • Bailey Belcher: From Meadowview, Virginia, undergrad from Emory and Henry, curious about transitioning to Georgia.

    • Ethan Crane: From North Greene County, interested in the speaker's career path and learning points.

    • Dylan Wagner: From Elizabethton, curious about the banking/accounting industry.

Chapter 2: Personal Journey and Challenges

  • Brief Family Background:

    • Speaker's father passed away when he was seven; mother had minimum wage job, lacked a high school diploma.

    • Family subsisted on surviving spouse benefits from Social Security.

  • Education Journey:

    • Struggled initially in college, commuting during first year and almost dropped out due to feeling lost.

    • Required to take out student loans and received Pell Grants.

    • The drive to continue education stemmed from a sense of obligation related to student debt.

    • Became the first in the family to earn a four-year degree.

  • Campus Life:

    • Transition to living on campus proved transformative; highlighted impactful professors.

    • Prof. Barks encouraged involvement in Beta Alpha Psi.

    • Prof. Becker provided foundational accounting education; struggled but achieved notable grades.

    • The importance of mentorship and encouragement was emphasized.

Chapter 3: Navigating Professional Path

  • Academic Performance:

    • Acknowledged low high school and initial college GPA (3.2; 19th out of 65).

    • Compared personal boundaries and pressures related to academic performance with the son’s experiences.

  • Encounter with Challenges:

    • Noted struggles during courses, recounting experiences with several professors (including a particularly challenging one, Dr. Bird).

    • Faced academic punishment from perceived cheating, resulting from a miscommunication involving Excel assignments.

    • GPA upon graduation was 3.43.

Chapter 4: Graduate School Experience and CPA Journey

  • Decision to Pursue CPA:

    • Motivated by Dr. Stedman's assurances; enrolled in graduate program for accounting.

    • Took GMAT, achieving the minimum score of 450, applying to graduate school, and seeking a recommendation from Dr. Bates.

  • Progress in Graduate School:

    • Aims to achieve straight A's in graduate studies with a final GPA of 3.92.

    • Took two parts of the CPA exam during last semester of graduate school, successfully passing both.

  • Professional Experience at Greene County Bank:

    • Juggled full-time work with graduate studies; started working as a staff accountant.

    • Received notable CPA experience while carving a niche in financial management, particularly asset liability management since obtaining CPA in November just before child’s birth.

Chapter 5: Professional Development and Career Moves

  • Growth in Banking Sector:

    • Undertook various roles and responsibilities, including becoming the controller amid financial crises and market changes.

    • Experienced leadership challenges, learning stress management and team dynamics.

    • Emphasized the importance of staying at firms long enough to distinguish oneself and demonstrate commitment to survival and progress.

  • Transition to New Opportunities:

    • Described various job applications and challenges faced during the recession-affected banking industry.

    • Found and embraced opportunities with South State Bank and Colony Bank, utilizing connections and networking effectively.

Chapter 6: Leadership Philosophy

  • Leadership Style:

    • Advocates for an engaging workplace culture while managing team dynamics effectively through inclusion, prioritizing employee input and fostering teamwork.

    • Describes the 15-minute rule for decision-making; encourages quick assessments and seeking help when needed without micromanaging.

  • Navigating Decision-Making:

    • Explains interplay of technical skills with soft skills, including crucial aspects of relationship-building and effective communication.

    • Stressing the importance of asking the right questions during interviews and avoiding assumptions.

Chapter 7: Building Relationships and Culture

  • Promoting Team Dynamics:

    • Emphasizes the need for collaboration in addressing problems and nearing solutions while fostering a positive work environment.

    • Advocates for open communication over email and emphasizes in-person interactions as essential for clarity and relationship strengthening.

  • Personal Connection:

    • Commitment to personal connections and transparency within professional roles contributes to a more engaging workplace atmosphere.

    • Describes the importance of integrating personal interests with professional identities to enhance relatability and trust.

Chapter 8: Conclusion

  • Reflection on Journey:

    • Acknowledgment of hardships and growth throughout education and professional life, establishing a philosophy centered around hard work, relational skills, and proactive learning experiences.

    • Encourages students to own their path, be bold in self-advocacy, and embrace lifelong learning to adapt and grow.