Gary Geisel isn?t just building a company; he?s building a corporate culture.
The chairman and chief executive officer of Baltimore-based Provident Bank since 2003, Geisel has helped the financial institution expand and grow into the Virginia and Washington, D.C., markets. Through this growth, he works to develop a company-wide sense of responsibility to clients, shareholders and the community.
To do this, Geisel is known to take walks around not only his downtown headquarters, but also other local offices to check on the operations.
“I?m a person who likes to get a lot of people around the table and get a consensus,” Geisel, 58, said. “Then we move forward and execute.”
One thing Geisel is renowned for around the office is his black felt-tip pen. With this writing utensil, he notoriously leaves memos and notes to different employees around the company during one of his walks. Aside from interaction with employees, Geisel also works the floor with customers, clients and shareholders.
Running the largest independent bank in Maryland, Geisel has 121 years of history behind him. His most important focus revolves around following the bank?s strategic plan of expansion and growth within its regional footprint. Geisel also described Provident?s target of medium-sized business clients that record from $500,000 to $30 million in yearly sales.
“He is very knowledgeable about not only his industry, but the economic forces that are driving our regional and state economy,” said Donald Fry, president of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “He?s very thoughtful and deliberate, a true consensusbuilder that can bring people with divergent views to a central point of agreement.”
Direct interaction ensures that he is seen as approachable and, in fact, is someone who actively listens to the praises and criticisms of everyone who has a stake in the bank, Geisel said.
The head of Provident Bank is also slated to be installed as the incoming chair of the Maryland Bankers Association, following three years of training.
Two of the biggest problems he discussed attacking were the lack of financial literacy in today?s society and the education of the legislature in Annapolis on financial policy issues.
“He really is an extremely committed leader,” said Kathleen Murphy, president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Bankers Association. “When I think of him, I don?t think of someone who does something halfway. That?s not in his nature, and he really puts his heart into his leadership role.”
Gary Geisel
» First job: Mowing lawns
» Education/credentials: Undergraduate degree from Edinboro University and an MBA from Duquesne University
» Best job perk: Getting to interact and work with interesting people every day
» Daily e-mails received: About 50
» Daily voicemails received: Fewer than 10
» Career objective: Continue growing Provident Bank
» Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa.
» Birth date: Nov. 2, 1948
» Original aspiration: Becoming an architect
» Sports/hobbies: Traveling
