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The retirement of a true gentleman
When you think of the word “class,” who pops into your mind? Is it a family member like your mom or dad, a religious figure such as Rev. Billy Graham or Pope John Paul II, or an actor like Michael Caine or Katharine Hepburn? Aside from my parents, one person has epitomized class throughout my life: Charles Snipes. Thus, it was more than a hint of sadness that I felt upon hearing the news that Mr. Snipes had announced his retirement as Chairman and CEO of the Bank of Granite earlier this week. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to see that Mr. Snipes, at age 74, finally is taking some time for himself and his equally classy wife, Catherine. After 50 years in the banking business, including nearly 26 years with Bank of Granite, he certainly has earned the right to tiptoe, if he ever so chooses, through the tulips he nurtures at his home. I've known Mr. Snipes (he'll always be Mr. Snipes to me) since he worked with my father at the former First National Bank of Catawba County in downtown Hickory in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During his time at First National, Mr. Snipes served as a vice president and commercial loan officer. In this role, he exemplified personal banking, a term many financial institutions over the years have claimed but rarely practiced. After Mr. Snipes had joined Bank of Granite, I went to the main Hickory branch seeking a small loan in order to build a rudimentary credit history. Did a junior loan officer review my very basic paperwork? Was I told to come back when I actually could grow facial hair? No. Instead, it was Mr. Snipes, then the president of the bank, who personally checked my application, approved the loan and helped me establish credit. (And, yes, the loan was paid back ahead of schedule). Years later, while working for a contracting company, Bank of Granite CEO and President Charles Snipes would pull up in his Buick to visit me at the office two times a year. He wanted to know how business was, what capital equipment needs there might be and if there was anything he could do to help the company be more successful. I would tell Mr. Snipes that everything was OK, and there were no loan needs at this moment. Then he would just chat with me for the next 20 or 30 minutes. How many bank CEOs do you know that would give you that type of personalized customer service? A 1958 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College, Mr. Snipes' philanthropy to his, and my, alma mater helped create the School of Business that bears his name. More recently, Mr. Snipes has served as chairman of the board of trustees at the college. Furthermore, as an instructor for the American Institute of Banking, Mr. Snipes generously passed on his banking knowledge to numerous contemporary and future bankers. But, as the saying goes, the one thing you can't teach is class. Without question, Mr. Snipes has possessed class in the past, still has class today and will continue to have class in the future. The sadness I feel is for the people who won't receive the type of individual attention Mr. Snipes provided. In our ongoing desire for efficiency, the Internet statement and the ATM have become the preferred vehicles for our financial interactions. Godspeed, Mr. Snipes, as you enjoy another phase in your life. I'm sure you will lead it with the same manner of grace, dignity and, yes, class that defines you as a true gentleman. Paul Teague is the Local News Editor and former Sports Editor at the News-Topic.
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