BILL WEST
CEO, BANK OF TAMPA, TAMPA
West has headed the bank for 13 years and has worked there for 28. With assets of $2.6 billion, the community bank has 11 offices in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, focused on serving small businesses and families. Over the past decade, West has been involved with the Independent Community Bankers Association, the trade group for community banks. “That experience has reinforced in my mind the important role all community banks play in our local economies.”
| EDUCATION | University of South Florida (BA) |
| CIVIC EFFORT | I’m very proud of the work our bank did in helping our clients get PPP loans. We have made over 3,200 loans, totaling over $490 million in the last 10 months. |
| SOMETHING SURPRISING | I just bought a 2021 Corvette. It’s a little out of character for me, so I don’t drive it. I just admire it while it sits in my garage. |
| SABBATICAL TOPIC | Early American history |
| READING | Apollo’s Arrow, by Nicholas Christakis |