Bill Carpenter has been a mainstay at First National Bank for nearly 26 years. Now Carpenter prepares to make his mark at the First National Bank in Alamogordo.
Carpenter will leave Artesia and the FNB Friday, June 29 and report for duty as the head of the retail lending department at FNB in Alamogordo on Monday, July 1.
Carpenter, who is a life-long Artesia resident, said that although its really tough to leave the City of Champions, the opening in Alamogordo was an offer he just couldn’t refuse.
He said that his wife Andrea and his 12-year-old son Christopher are also very optimistic about the move to Alamogordo.
Carpenter began his career in banking in July 1975 at FNB in the note department. He said that the guidance and philosophies of Charles K. Johnson taught him the importance of relationships in banking.
"He said all bankers will give their numbers out when the sun is shining, but only the good ones won’t take it away when it starts raining," Carpenter remembered.
Carpenter said that over the years, he learned a lot about the way people live. He said that 99 percent of the people today live from paycheck to paycheck (even bankers).
He said that the gratitude he receives as a loan officer is in helping people fulfill their financial wants and needs.
"You don’t lend money to people as a loan, you lend as a relationship and a partnership," said Carpenter.
The most gratifying thing you can have in this business is to help someone start and then watch them take care of their financial responsibilities and get the things in life they want and need.
Carpenter has not only formed relationships in banking but also in the community as well. He ran and was elected to the Artesia City Council at the young age of 22. He also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Artesia museum board, the Downtown Lions Club and most recently, as the president of the Door of Opportunity.
He said that he is very proud to have served on all of the organizations because the purpose of all of them are to make Artesia better.
There are a lot of people that want to make Artesia better," said Carpenter.
This is a progressive community that is awed by communities throughout the state. Artesia is definitely the City of Champions.
Carpenter said that since it was announced that he would be leaving FNB and Artesia, he has received numerous phone calls from well wishers and a few asking him not to leave. He said that it really makes him feel good to hear what people feel about him.
Carpenter said that the bank he is moving to is an "ace high bank" and he looks forward to forging relationships in the Alamogordo community just as he has in Artesia.
FNB Bank President Greg Marrs said that the bank is really going to miss Carpenter and that he will be very hard to replace.
"It’s hard to lose a guy with his knowledge and experience," said Marrs.
He’ll definitely be a tough act to follow.
Marrs added that Carpenter did put a great staff together in the loan department that will serve the bank well in the future.
I really appreciate the contribution that Bill has made not only to our bank, but to the community, said Marrs.
I wish him continued success in Alamogordo. I’m sure he’ll do well there.
Chairman and CEO of FNB Everett Crawford echoed Marrs’ sentiments, saying that Carpenter’s rapport with the community is second to none.
"Bill has been a pillar of the community for a very long time," said Crawford.
He is a good Christian man that is very dedicated to his family and to the community.
Crawford said that he has only worked closely with Carpenter for about one and one-half years, but it was evident very quickly just how important he has been to many people.
"I think he has an opportunity to do great things in Alamogordo and we wish him the best," said Crawford.
FNB will host a farewell celebration for Carpenter from 10 a.m.-noon on Friday at the bank. All are encouraged to come out and give their best wishes to Carpenter and his family.