1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN WITH YOUR BANK’S CEO AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CAREER JOURNEY, THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BANKING INDUSTRY, OR EVEN WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR SPARE TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK? IN THIS FEATURE, NEW JERSEY BANKER WILL ASK THE QUESTIONS FOR YOU! WE ASKED BILL TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, SOMERSET REGAL BANK, SOME QUESTIONS. THANKS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US, BILL! How did you get started in banking? I started as a staff accountant at Stephen P. Radics & Co., who audited mostly thrifts and some banks. A chance meeting at a client with a former co-worker, Joe Lee, led to an interview and job offer as the controller at Somerset Savings and Loan. What advice do you have for young bankers starting their career? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, work hard, volunteer for new assignments, and don’t get drawn into office politics. Why do you feel it’s important for banks like Somerset Regal to be associated with NJBankers? Three things—the educational opportunities, the advocacy work done in Trenton and Washington, and the medical and other benefits through BCG. What is the difference between being a boss and being a leader? A boss gives orders; a leader is open to collaboration and does by example. What community projects has Somerset Regal Bank participated in that touched you the most? Bank employees participated in building two houses for Raritan Habit for Humanity. We appreciate our involvement with both Central Jersey Housing Resource Center, that provides direct housing counseling services while promoting affordable housing solutions and the Center for Great Expectations that provides residential programs and counseling for at risk woman. What is something people don’t know about you? I’ve coached travel basketball for over 25 years interrupted for four years as an assistant coach on a high school girls basketball team. I also love to bake. How has your life experience made you the leader you are today? I’m the oldest of seven children all born in the span of eight and 3/4 years. I watched the hard work my father did to support us and especially what my mom did to keep the household running among the chaos. What was the last book you read? Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. I think the HBO series should be required watching for every high school student. Who are the most famous people you have ever met? Bill Bradley and John McEnroe. What are three things left on your bucket list? To see my four grandchildren graduate from high school and then from college and to dance with my two granddaughters on their wedding days. What is your guilty pleasure junk food? Any dessert with chocolate—especially cookies. 23 questions and answers with featured bankers
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