JOHN MEDINA

PRESIDENT & CEO, FIRST FEDERAL BANK, LAKE CITY

First Federal is a mutual bank headquartered in Lake City, with locations across northern Florida, coastal South Carolina, Wisconsin and Kansas City. With over 600 employees, the bank provides services to consumers and commercial customers, including deposits, loans and nationwide mortgages. FFB has $3.9 billion in assets and supports more than 300 nonprofits annually.

EDUCATION: Florida Gateway College (AA), Florida State University (BS), University of Florida (MBA)

FIRST JOB: Worked on small farms in Suwannee County, growing watermelons, tobacco, cattle, hogs, poultry and a variety of other crops. Served in the military as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer. Began my corporate career in 1988 through First Union’s Executive Management Program.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Teach business and entrepreneurship at FSU or engage in mission work locally and globally.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I was born in the Dominican Republic, and English is actually my third language — after Spanish and French. I originally held a green card but made the decision to become a U.S. citizen at 25 so I could be commissioned as an officer in the Army.