In his own words: Umpqua Bank manager David Funk

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Umpqua Bank and the duties of the position.

David Funk: Umpqua Bank is a community bank and a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation. The company has nearly 200 locations in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, and is recognized nationally for our unique approach to community and customer service.

I serve as a member of Umpqua's senior leadership team and am responsible for leading the bank's northern Nevada operations.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Funk: In 1962, I was working for Sewell's Markets here in Reno. Back then, my work week included weekends. I joined the Marine Corps around the same time. After training, I was assigned to a Reno Reserve Unit. The drills were on the weekends, which meant I had to find another career that wouldn't require weekend work. So I moved to banking where I could have a full-time position but also continue to dedicate time to the armed services.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?

Funk: When managing people, don't ever ask them to do something that you wouldn't do. Always have an open door policy for staff and customers.

NNBW: Did the recession change the way you do business? If so, how?

Funk: The recession didn't change the way we do business in terms of our commitment to investing in our communities. We've maintained strong and responsible lending standards and still underwrite the same way we did before. And our approach to customer service hasn't wavered. The industry has changed for example, the qualifications residential and commercial loan customers must meet in order to obtain loans. As always our teams at Umpqua work hard to make these new processes as easy for our customers as possible.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Funk: Paperboy for the Reno Evening Gazette.

NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?

Funk: I'm happy to say my dream job is the one I have.

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

Funk: Work hard, learn everything you can, and don't be a clock-watcher.

NNBW: What's the most fun you have had on the job?

Funk: Driving around Reno and seeing all of the hundreds of businesses, commercial buildings and residential properties that I've helped finance over these many years.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Funk: "Work hard, learn everything you can, and don't be a clock-watcher." My first banking mentor, Paul Laiolo, president of Pioneer Citizen Bank, offered these tips when I first started my banking career.

NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?

Funk: Working in my yard, golfing and traveling.

NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Funk: To have my brother back. He was killed by a drunk driver at a young age.

NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

Funk: A dentist.

NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?

Funk: No. I love what I do. I'm a people person and am lucky to work with great associates and customers on a daily basis. Many have done business with me for 40 years.

NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?

Funk: Most recently, I watched my granddaughter play volleyball for Reed High School in Sparks, and my grandson run track for Mendive Middle School. My last professional sporting event was watching the 49ers play at Candlestick Park.

NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?

Funk: Hawaii. I love the sun, water and friends we have there.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working and living here?

Funk: I've lived in northern Nevada since 1947. To me, there is no other place to live.

The basics:

Name: David A. Funk/senior vice president and Nevada regional manager of Umpqua Bank

How long have you been in this job? Two years

How long have you been in this profession? I have nearly 50 years of banking experience in northern Nevada

Education: University of Nevada, Reno and Pacific Coast Banking School in Bellevue, Wash.

Last book read? "11th Hour" by James Patterson

Favorite movie? "Pretty Woman"

What's on your iPod? I don't own an iPod

Spouse, kids or pets? Spouse, Jeannine; two married sons; two grandchildren; one cat.

Know someone whose perspective you want to share with NNBW readers? Send contact information to: rsabo@nnbw.biz or call 775-850-2146.