River City Six – Lowell Ferguson
Meet Lowell Ferguson, vice president – private banking at Pinnacle Bank (www.pinnbank.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Pinnacle Bank has been family-owned since 1938 and has grown to $17.5 billion in assets with over 161 branches in eight states and 2,500 employees while still maintaining its strong sense of community. In my current role as vice president of our newly formed Private Banking department, our focus is to assist affluent and emerging affluent clients in the Greater Omaha area. Our phones are always on, and we make ourselves available for our clients day or night, 24/7. We started from scratch in November of 2019. We have since grown to $275 million in deposits and $87 million in loans.
How did you get started in the business? – After graduating from Hastings College in 2006 with a business degree and needing to get a J-O-B, I applied with a big national bank in Omaha and have been in banking ever since. I’ve enjoyed the last 11 years here at Pinnacle. I’ve been given the ability to grow into numerous different roles.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Not having much of an Omaha network when I got started in banking. I take pride in building relationships professionally and personally. It just takes time. I’ve learned that if you always do what you say you are going to do, people respect that.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Katie and I have been married for 10 years. We have two kids, Scarlett (7) and Parker (3). Scarlett loves school and her passion right now is art. She also enjoys golf, cheer, soccer, and dance. Parker is our fireball and loves all sports.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Going to college and learning how to connect with people on/at a higher-level outside of a high school bubble.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Traveling with family, golf, basketball, football, and hanging out with friends.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have attended 21 different PGA golf tournaments.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “It’s my money and your job.” –Roy Dinsdale, the executive chairman of Pinnacle Bancorp, the holding company of Pinnacle Bank.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – A Tupac song.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To take away people’s pain.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I have been involved with or am currently involved with Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce as past chairman, Sarpy County Chamber Young Professionals Board, Lions Club of Papillion as past president, Papillion Community Foundation Board, Aksarben Foundation / Floor Committee, judge for Nebraska DECA, and TeamMates Mentoring. I also am a past graduate of the Sarpy Chamber’s “Leadership Sarpy” and Omaha Chamber’s “Leadership Omaha” programs.
What is your favorite movie? – The Godfather.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – The Drover.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Michael Jordan.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 972-5546; Lowell.ferguson@pinnbank.com; www.pinnbank.com.