Rick Thomas
Name/Title/Company: Rick Thomas, vice president – Corporate Banking, Nevada State Bank
Number of years with company: 14
Number of years in the profession: 29
Education: BS Managerial Sciences – Finance, University of Nevada, Reno
Last book read: Frommer’s Spain (Travel Guide)
Favorite movie: Way too many – I like to watch all the popular new releases. I’m a Netflix fan. However, you are interviewing a banker so I will go with “Show Me the Money.”
Favorite musical group or genre: Eclectic – Mostly listen to top 100 music.
Spouse, kids or pets: Married to work, have some great nephews, and look forward to owning dog(s) in retirement when I have more time available.
Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company and the duties of your position.
Rick Thomas: Nevada State Bank is a 57-year strong banking institution serving clients throughout Nevada. I’m a part of the Corporate Banking team so my job is to obtain and maintain middle market business and corporate banking relationships. This includes meeting the various lending, depository and cash management needs of our banking clients.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Thomas: After graduating from college, I moved to the Bay Area to utilize my finance degree. I took a job with the First Interstate Bank asset-based lending department as a collateral examiner (auditor) which interested me because as I was able to visit and observe the inner working of various businesses throughout northern California. I’ve been in banking ever since.
NNBW: What do you enjoy most about working in your field?
Thomas: I enjoy the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from exposure to a variety of industries, entrepreneurs and their businesses. In addition, it has been rewarding assisting companies and individuals grow their businesses and personal wealth.
NNBW: What is the most challenging part about your job?
Thomas: It’s always a challenge dealing with economic down cycles.
NNBW: What do you foresee in the future of your profession?
Thomas: It’s interesting to see the technological advances that are being adopted. It seems as if there won’t be much we can’t accomplish from our phones.
NNBW: What advice would you give someone who wants to get into your profession?
Thomas: I recommend to anyone getting involved in the industry to expose yourself to the various positions within banking and find your personal fit.
NNBW: What was the best advice anyone ever gave you either professionally or personally?
Thomas: Anything worth doing is worth doing right, and anything less is a waste of your valuable time.
NNBW: Has there been someone who was especially influential in helping you establish your career or in reaching your higher goals? If so, who and how?
Thomas: One of my first managers with First Interstate Bank mentored me in several areas. He led by example, demonstrating the highest level of integrity and how to remain calm in the face of a storm — I’m still working on that calm thing :-).
NNBW: Do you belong to any professional/networking organizations? How has membership benefitted your career?
Thomas: I am a board member of WIN (Western Industrial Nevada). It’s a great place to meet members of the business community and is a group of nice genuine people. I highly recommend attending their monthly breakfast meetings, as they always have interesting and entertaining speakers.
NNBW: How do you manage your time between the responsibilities of your profession and your personal life?
Thomas: I have way more hobbies/interests than I do time to pursue them. However, I believe an active lifestyle provides many psychological benefits that will enhance your professional life.
NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like about living/working here?
Thomas: Quite simply, it’s the quality of life. I have lived and traveled to several different cities and countries and moved away once. Like many, I’ve found my way back to the place that feels like home.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Thomas: Shakey’s Pizza at 5th and Keystone in Reno. I worked there for five years while I worked my way through school.
NNBW: What are your hobbies? How do you spend your time away from work?
Thomas: My top hobbies are world travel, hiking, snowboarding, Bikram Yoga, working out, motorcycle riding and photography.
NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
Thomas: Maui seems to continue to set the standard for me despite the various cities and countries I have traveled to.
NNBW: If you had the chance to have dinner with someone, who would that be and why?
Thomas: Close friends and relatives are good enough for me.
NNBW: Last concert or sporting event attended?
Thomas: UNR Basketball season ticket holder. GO PACK!
