Star City Six: Teresa Elliott
Cornhusker Bank (www.cornhuskerbank.com) remains Lincoln’s oldest locally-owned bank, demonstrating stability, soundness, and investing in the future growth of the community, valued customers, and associates. Teresa Elliott is the Vice President, Communication at Cornhusker Bank.
Tell us a little about your business.
Cornhusker Bank is a community-based and oriented business, providing a wide range of financial services with a true commitment to making the community and our customers’ lives better.
How did you get started in the business?
My first role was Administrative Assistant to the President, and a friend at the bank suggested I fill out an application to be considered for the position.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Working full time and going to school at a later age in life to get an Organizational Communication degree, in order to move within the company to where I felt my strengths were better suited.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
I am immensely proud of the fact that I was involved in the inception and promotion of the bank’s now annual community event, One Day Without Shoes. We’ve been able to provide the People’s City Mission with over 100,000 pairs of shoes and over $60,000 in monetary funds over the last 7 years. It represents the heart of Cornhusker Bank and its employees by providing for the community in ways beyond their finances.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have an 86-year-old mother, a brother and sister-in-law in town, and a nephew I claim as ‘my child’ in Colorado. I also count my cocker spaniel, Bailey, as my family.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
That would be my divorce from a spouse after 21 years. Divorce forces you to really evaluate your life and make sure you are headed down a life path that will be rewarding and fit your values.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
That varies. I love to browse in a book store forever if I can. I also love to just be out working in the yard. Then there is spending time with family.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
At 60 years old I rappelled off the side of a hotel, here in Lincoln, for the first time as the reward for raising funds for Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
What are you the most proud of?
Helping others achieve their goals. Whether just supporting them with encouragement or through actual mentoring, I take a great deal of pride in it.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
It is not the quantity of days you live, but the quality of those days, so never let a day slip by without thinking how you can improve others’ lives, and thereby your own.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Devoted.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Invincibility.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
People’s City Mission and Capital Humane Society.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
The last truly great thing I read that has stayed with me because it had such complex ideas to work with was Ted Chiang’s short story, Story of My Life.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Outback Steakhouse.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Email; teresae@cornhuskerbank.com; Website: www.cornhuskerbank.com.