River City Six – Shane Reardon
Meet Shane Reardon, commercial loan officer at West Gate Bank in Omaha.
Tell us a little about your business.
West Gate Bank is a family-owned community bank, founded in 1968. Community banking has been our focus for over 50 years. We are a full-service bank that offers checking and savings accounts, commercial loans, mortgage loans, and much more. We have seven locations in Lincoln and three locations in Omaha.
How did you get started in the business?
I started in the business as a bank teller. It was a great job that offered flexibility geared towards my business administration major. Each morning, I would open the branch, leave to go attend my morning classes, go back to the branch in the afternoon to close, then head back to school to attend my night classes. Since then, I have worked my way from a becoming a personal banker to preparing loan documents to an analyst to a senior analyst to, finally, a commercial loan officer.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
A challenge that I have faced most recently was leaving another bank that I had been with for nine years. Change can sometimes be scary, but I am glad I made the decision to come to West Gate Bank.
Tell us a little about your family.
I met my wife Satarah in college about 10 years ago. We have been together since and married five years ago. We have an 18-month daughter, WillaVee. Satarah is a first grade teacher at Central Park Elementary as well as a Kosama Fitness Instructor. We enjoy cooking dinner together and eating ice cream before bed.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I enjoy spending time with my family. We typically take walks around our neighborhood or head over to the park. I also enjoy going to the gym, playing basketball and softball, as well as golfing.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I do not have any first cousins. My dad was an only child and my aunts on my mom’s side do not have any children. I also won a contest in seventh grade to broadcast a Husker football game on the Pinnacle Sports Network. Nebraska beat Kansas State and played for the National Championship that year.
Who inspires you?
My mom is a cancer survivor which shows how strong she is and has always been. I strive to be as strong and determined as she is. My daughter also inspires me to always be great at what I do.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“If you are afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.” – Kobe Bryant
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Time travel. I would love to go back to historical sporting events such as all five Nebraska Football Championships.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
An ESPN anchor on SportsCenter or a veterinarian.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
American Lung Association. Each year I run in the Cooperate Cup alongside my wife to raise awareness for individuals with lung cancer. I dedicate my medals to my recently passed grandpa.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Runza.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Brook Berringer.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 758-8721; Email: sreardon@westgate.bank; Website: westgate.bank.