Kirk Myers
Occupation: Recently named regional president of Prairie State Bank & Trust for the Decatur market.
Hometown: Maroa, where my family owned and operated the local hardware store and plumbing-heating business.
Family: Married to Julie Blair-Myers (owner of Basin 5 Creative); children, son Chase (13) and daughter Savannah (11), students at Johns Hill Magnet School.
Education: Associate degree in business from Richland Community College, bachelor's degree in business from Tabor School of Business at Millikin University, and master's degree in business from University of Illinois at Springfield.
The bumper sticker on my truck would say "I'd rather be …": "I'd rather be hunting" in reference to my new Drathaar (German Wirehair) pup, Ditto.
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Other hobbies/interests: Attending the sporting events of Chase and Savannah. They both play soccer; Savannah plays volleyball, and Chase runs cross country, plays in the jazz band and sings and dances with the show choir, Johns Hill Xperience. As a family, we like to travel, boat and play golf.
Why I do what I do: I was always pretty good with numbers, and this allows me to combine numbers with helping individuals and companies meet their financial needs and goals. I like customer service excellence.
If I hadn't chosen this career path, I would be a ?: I always thought, in the back of my mind, that I would like to someday own a restaurant. It would be a Southwestern-style grill called Alba-Kirky's. I put on a wild game feed for my hunting buddies every year, and that always seems to go over very well. I like to cook different foods.
Personal approaches to challenges: My mom was always a devotee of Norman Vincent Peale. She instilled that "Power of Positive Thinking" and "Enthusiasm Makes the Difference" philosophy in me. It has served me well over the years.
Community Involvement: Immediate past president of Decatur Celebration, treasurer for Maroa-Forsyth School District, treasurer for the Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, director for University of Illinois Extension Office for Macon County, member of the Endowment Committee for Maroa United Methodist Church.
What is the most important thing our community can do for itself? Create an environment where the citizens, business and local government collaborate on policies and actions that encourage growth. We need an environment where businesses want to be here, families want to live and educate their children here and constant community investment occurs. I love the enthusiasm and energy that Mayor Paul Osborne has provided. The water reservoir project is huge and will impact our community for generations to come.
What is the biggest change in the banking industry since you started? The evolution of Internet or online banking.
What is the biggest challenge confronting the banking industry? Meeting the service needs of the customer, when the customer walks through your doors less and less frequently.
You grew up here, went to college here, and spent your entire working career here. Do you ever regret not getting farther from home? I think there are always those moments of truth, where one decision can send your life in different directions. I have had opportunities to leave the community, but the decision to stay leaves me with no regrets. I love the area, the people, being close to my family and Julie's family, and I am happy about how things have turned out.
What should the community do to keep its young people close and attract other young people to the community? With young people come young families. One of the keys to attracting and keeping young people is to have one of the best school systems in the state of Illinois. We have some decisions to make about our schools.
How did you become involved in Decatur Celebration? The very first year of the event, one of my friends asked if I would help set up (get vendors to their locations, etc.). That same afternoon we jumped in the truck and headed to northern Minnesota, walleye fishing. I didn't even eat a corn dog! I helped set up each year, became chairman of main gate access and have been on the Celebration board of directors for six years.
What has been the most exciting aspect of your involvement in Decatur Celebration? As a board member, general chairman, president and immediate past president, I enjoy speaking to groups and service clubs about the festival. You really are able to understand how much people love and enjoy the event. It is amazing the stories that people tell you about their festival experiences.
What is the biggest challenge confronting Decatur Celebration? The budget has grown tenfold from the first year. It is increasingly hard for the sponsorships to keep up with the cost of entertainment and festival operations. I am not sure how he does it, but festival producer Fred Puglia always seems to pull it off and keep it fresh. It would not happen without the hundreds of volunteers and the thousands of volunteer hours that are donated every year by this community.
What do you say to those people who regularly predict the end of the Decatur Celebration? "The show must go on!" As long as the people of Central Illinois continue to support the event in sponsorships, time and energy, I see Decatur Celebration continuing. It is one of those Decatur jewels that Mayor Osborne often speaks about.
