Meet our September AllStar, Harry. His journey with AllSouth began at a young age when his mother opened an account for him. Over the years, Harry's relationship with AllSouth has only grown stronger, from being a loyal member to becoming a valuable part of our team. Let's take a closer look at Harry's inspiring story and the impact he continues to make both in the workplace and the community.
As a child, Harry frequently visited our Lexington branch with his mother while she took care of her banking. When he was four, she opened a Super Saver account for him. As Harry got older and started to manage his own accounts, he naturally chose to continue banking with AllSouth. Over the years, he began to build relationships with the tellers and member service representatives.
A few years ago, during a visit to his hometown Lexington branch, an AllSouth employee encouraged Harry to apply for a teller position. He took the employee's advice and soon found himself on the other side of the teller line assisting members as an AllSouth employee working at our Batesburg-Leesville branch. After eight months, he moved to the Lexington branch, where Harry described this career move to Lexington as "coming home."
Growing up in the Lexington/Gilbert area, Harry didn't always feel connected to his hometown. Now that he is a teller at his hometown branch, he has felt that connection grow. "I love working at this branch, and I love the people I work with here. No matter what challenges we face, we will get through it because we are a close-knit and well-integrated team," he said.
"Harry is always willing to go the extra mile to assist his members and always provides compassionate service." - Chris, Member Service Representative
Being both a member and an employee at AllSouth has been a very special experience for Harry. "I've known our Branch Manager, John, for quite some time. I was really excited to join this branch and work with him because I can recall how helpful he was for my mother and me after my father passed away," he said. "It's really important for us all to remember the impact that we really do have on our members. That feeling of him being so kind and helpful really stuck with me," Harry said.
His personal experience as a member has made him all the better as a teller. He treats members with compassion, creates a seamless banking experience, and does his best to answer any questions that may come up. Harry is passionate about helping members and going above and beyond to make someone's day just a little bit brighter. Harry credits AllSouth for its exceptional culture, which encourages growth and learning. "It's been an excellent learning opportunity at AllSouth," he said. In addition to his regular duties as a teller, Harry is vault-trained.
"Harry shows empathy towards each member that he assists, and does everything possible to make sure that they feel satisfied with each transaction." - John, Lexington Branch Manager
Outside of work, Harry is an avid outdoorsman. While he has a hard time nailing down his favorite hiking spot, Harry particularly enjoys hiking Sassafras Mountain, which is the highest point in the state of South Carolina and is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Harry's personal goal is to complete the "Mountain to Sea" challenge, where he cycles from the peak of Sassafras Mountain down to the coast in Myrtle Beach. Harry has visited the French Alps, Italian Alps, Swiss Alps, and German Alps.
Harry is a member of the Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild, a nonprofit organization based in Charleston that encourages and facilitates the training of blacksmiths and exposes the blacksmith craft to the public. He's completed classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School, where he learned about wood turning and carving, weaving, crocheting, and other folk arts.