Employee Spotlight
Jon Ward
Commercial Services Officer
Jon Ward began his career at Tioga State Bank in 2006 after a chance encounter with a TSB Board member. At the time, Jon was working at a cell phone retail store when Ralph Kelsey walked in. Jon not only sold Ralph a cell phone that day but Ralph was also sold on Jon’s go-getter personality. They exchanged business cards, and soon after Jon began his TSB journey. He has held various positions at the bank such as a commercial credit analyst, small business lender, and commercial services officer.
In the community, Jon is a Tioga County IDA Board Member and a Tioga County LDC Board Member & Audit Committee Chair. He is also a volunteer coach for the Tioga County Youth Soccer Association and Owego Little League.
Q&A with Jon Ward
What do you like to do for fun?
Running, golfing, snowboarding, volleyball, anything outdoors really. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters and watching Phillies baseball.
What is a fun fact about you?
In 2020, COVID put a real damper on many of the sports leagues I was involved in, so I got back into running. Since August 2020, I have logged just short of 1,100 miles. Now, if only I was as quick as I was when I ran competitively ran in my younger years!
What is something people may not know about you?
I grew up in a family of five and I am the middle child. I have an older brother that lives in St. Louis, MO, and a younger brother that lives outside of Albany. Our family relocated here from Connecticut when I was young, so no, I am not related (that I know of) to any of the plethora of Wards locally. Having grown up with two brothers I am now completely lost having two daughters of my own but trying to enjoy every moment!
What do you like the most about being a commercial lender?
The number of local entrepreneurs and investors that I have met over the years is substantial. I would never have had the opportunity to meet and get to know the volume of local stakeholders without holding the position that I do for TSB. As years went by, many of these individuals became not just clients, but friends as well. There is so much more to a business banking relationship than collecting financial statements in exchange for loan funding. As a community banker, it isn’t just what is in a client’s numbers but getting to know the true character of the individual. Although the character component seems to hold less and less value for a regulator and examiner, I still believe it to be the most important ‘C’ of credit, and valuing that component is what separates a community banker from a corporate banker.
What inspired you to pursue a career in business banking?
It was only that fateful day I sold that cell phone to TSB Board Member, Ralph Kelsey, and his wife Debora. That business card exchange was certainly more valuable than whatever commission I made on the sale! I’m still just a kid at heart and will probably always be trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
If you would like to open an account, have any questions, or want to learn more…
Tioga State Bank’s Commercial Account Specialists are here to help. Contact us online, by phone at 888-303-4TSB or visiting us at a TSB office location.