Grand Conversations: 5 Questions With Dale Ford
by Madelyn McConnell
November 29, 2017
Grand Savings Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Dale Ford as Vice President, Deposit Training Coordinator. Ford has been in banking for close to 10 years starting as a teller and most recently served as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. He attended Northwest Arkansas Community College and the University of Arkansas. He served as Chair of a local student bank board for five years and volunteered for Main Street Rogers for over 10 years.
Grand Conversations: 5 Questions with Dale Ford
Welcome to the GSB team, tell us about your position and what you will be doing at the bank:
The Deposit Training Coordinator is responsible for communicating with Branch Managers and Teller Supervisors to identify training needs and implementing development plans for teams and individuals. Ultimately, the role of the training coordinator is to oversee all professional development for our company.
Why did you choose a profession in banking?
I was working as a Firefighter/EMT for the Bentonville Fire Department and decided to get a position as a part-time teller. I honestly did not see any future in banking for me. Within a year of being employed, I had a management change and Tommy Coughlin took over my branch as the new Manager. Tommy invested a lot of time in my professional development and because of that, I began to see a future for me in the industry.
What are you most excited about in your new role?
I’m most excited about being able to work with the branch leadership teams in identifying the needs and opportunities for their locations. My passion has always been in the coaching, development and growth piece of consumer banking.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Bentonville until I was 11 years old. At that point, I moved to Henderson, Nevada (a suburb of Las Vegas) and remained there through high school. Following graduation from Coronado High School, I moved back to Northwest Arkansas and currently reside in Bentonville.
Your favorite television show to binge watch?
Right now my Saturdays are consumed by college football. I literally start my morning with College Gameday and continue watching different football through the night. My favorite teams are the Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas Longhorns and Florida State Seminoles.
