Content area
Full Text
Before proposing marriage, he sought approval from regulators, auditors and his board of directors. "I had to make sure that one of us wouldn't have to go," explains Jack A. Kenworthy, 63, president of Bedford Federal Savings Bank. Jack and his wife Shelley, 55, executive vice president, celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary last month, and together have dedicated seven decades of service to the bank.
Jack joined Bedford Federal Savings Bank after serving as an officer in the U.S. Army. While stationed in Germany, he had received a written invitation from Robert W. Short, then president of the bank, to consider joining the bank as a mortgage loan officer. Jack returned to Bedford in 1972 and accepted the offer.
In 1980, Shelley was a recent graduate of Indiana University-Jack's alma mater-when a chance grocery store conversation led her to pursue a job opening at Bedford Federal Savings Bank. Originally intending to join an accounting firm, Shelley opted instead for bank employment. "I loved it from day one," she says.
Recently Hoosier Banker interviewed Jack and Shelley Kenworthy about their life partnership at work and at home.
What are each of your work responsibilities?
Shelley: "I am our compliance officer-that's about 80 percent of my responsibilities. I also do some operations, project management, database maintenance and community services. I started as assistant controller, then took on other duties through the years."
Jack: "I spend a great deal of time reading to stay informed about industry trends and issues. I also spend time interacting with customers and staff. We've got an excellent core group of young men and women here at the bank who we're grooming for leadership. It's rewarding to help them learn about the business and how to make decisions."
How do you teach decision-making?
Jack: "People have to gather the proper information in order to make a decision; I teach them how to get that information. We've also encouraged several of our employees to get their college degrees. We want to help give them a better future."
Shelley: "We try to move people around if there's a different job function that would be a better fit for them. We have very little turnover, and our employees are very loyal."
Jack: "Out of our...