BILL WEST
CEO, BANK OF TAMPA, TAMPA
West says he wanted to be an industrial psychologist until his junior year of college. “I thought that combined business with psychology. In no small way, the role of a CEO is to be an industrial psychologist, so maybe that’s why I enjoy what I do.”
West, who began his career with large banks, has worked for the Bank of Tampa for 27 years; he’s been CEO for 12 years. His bank, with 265 employees, is the largest locally owned bank in Tampa Bay, providing a full range of banking, investment management and trust services for families and businesses. “We have over $1.2 billion in loans in the four counties we serve,” he says.
| EDUCATION | University of South Florida (BA) |
| FLORIDA ISSUE | We have an affordable housing and transportation problem, all because Florida is such a great place to live. |
| ALTERNATE CAREER | I would have enjoyed being an industrial psychologist or a history teacher. |
| PHILANTHROPIC PASSION | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts and St. Joseph’s Hospital, especially the children’s hospital |
| STAYING FIT | I don’t. |