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Rick Lane is retiring after more than 20 years with First United Bank Courtesy photo
When you walk into his office, you can tell his favorite college sports team.
The décor is an instant conversation starter, no matter the order of business.
For Rick Lane, that décor will be coming down in the coming weeks and boxed up, for a final trip home. The reason, the longtime banker is retiring from First United Bank in Madill.
Lane has been heavily involved with the community through the years and will gradually relinquish those duties, as well.
From serving on the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Madill Lions Club, the Marshall County Economic Development Authority, and the Marshall County Hospital Board, Lane has been deeply seeded in the community.
Having served as Community Bank President in Madill for over twenty-four years, he has also held the title of Senior Vice President. Now, Lane reflects back on those years of leadership, change and growth for the long career in the banking field.
Lane had been a stock commodities broker for ten years, prior to taking the job at First United Bank in 1996. He taught economics at Murray State College in Tishomingo and also worked for the government as a job training specialist.
Lane said he feels one of the biggest challenges for Marshall County is the fact that Marshall County doesn’t have enough housing. “Not necessarily for me, as a banker, but for the community in general” and because of the growth in the area, “the growth of industry keeps outpacing the need in the housing sector.”
According to Lane, “the area has grown five times the size” since he started with the bank over twenty years ago, making for some pretty sizable growth.
Outside of seeing Lane helping customers or participating in programs within Marshall County, Lane also helps people in other ways too – Lane is also a lay minister. He enjoys ranching, running and kayaking for hobbies.
Lane, who is 65, firmly believes that there is nothing more powerful than a well–spoken word of encouragement. Something that Lane always shares when in the presence of others, giving that breathe of fresh air and lifting someone in spirit and confidence.
However, Lane has a dry and witty side of life as well. He has entertained his fellow colleagues during the annual meetings of the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, or during the annual meetings of the First United Bank shareholders. From providing an inspirational devotion to performing unique renditions of The Village People, Neil Diamond, Tony Orlando, Conway Twitty, and Willie Nelson, he is always ready to make somebody smile.
Lane always incorporates a brief message of hope and how life can be coupled with encouragement, overcoming shortcomings, laying a strong foundation, making a difference in the world,
Some of his plans for the future include continuing to manage the family farm business, ministering within the area, and sharing kind words of encouragement.
His wife, Kenni, will also be able to spend more time with her busy husband of over forty years.
Scott Uhlenhake is slated to transition into the roles that Lane has held, and preparing for a new branch location in Kingston Highway 70. Currently, that facility is undergoing renovations similar to the Madill branch location.