"Seven Visions One Legacy" celebrates stewardship in Paducah-McCracken County

So on the service, you'd say it's a history book about a community bank, and that bank being Citizens Bank of Paducah, Kentucky, told through the lives of seven men who had the responsibility of serving as presidents of the bank dating back to the late 1800s. But really, it's about leadership. legacy and what we owe to those that come after us. The subline is it began with six portraits of the men that came before me that I couldn't let get thrown away. Stewardship, vision, community. Those words and the importance of them are in a new book by a local author. William Bill Jay Jones has been in community banking for more than four decades. This week on the Crossroad Suncast, the founding of Citizens Bank in Paducah. It's 110 years in operation and the seven men who led the institution during different eras. I really realized that I knew their names. but I didn't know their stories. We're exploring the topic in a new book titled Seven Visions, One Legacy. I'm Todd Faulkner. Paducah, Kentucky, an ever-growing River City, full of art, charm, and good people. Restaurants, law firms, shops, and small boutiques dot the downtown landscape. Steeped in history, these buildings are more than just spaces. They're the holders of stories, moments, and memories. That includes the building that sits at the corner of Fourth and Broadway, the longtime former home for decades to Citizens Bank. I realized I knew their names. But I didn't know their stories. Bill Jay Jones served as president of Citizens Bank from 1992 to 1998 before it was sold. His new book, Seven Visions One Legacy, tells the story of the presidents who led the institution over the course of the bank's 110-year history. So in the service, you'd say it's a history book about a community bank, and that bank being Citizens Bank of Paducah, Kentucky. told through the lives of seven men who had the responsibility of serving as presidents of the bank dating back to the late 1800s. But really it's about leadership, legacy, and what we owe to those that come after us. The subline is it began with six portraits. of the men that came before me that I couldn't let get thrown away. Portraits of men who served as more than presidents. Each of these individuals viewed themselves of stewards of something larger than themselves and what they left and the lessons they left about integrity.

community, and leading for the long term. While stewardship was an integral focus for these men, so was vision. Vision is what outlives us. A leader that only focuses on today leaves nothing behind. Each of these men brought a vision that the bank could be something much greater for the community. I asked Bill to read an excerpt about vision from his book. It is a vision grounded in the belief that institutions endure only when they are guided by principle rather than convenience. It is a vision that places stability over speculation, relationships above transactions, and long-term responsibility above short-term gain. Most importantly, it is a vision that understands leadership, not as a personal power, but as stewardship. a temporary trust granted to individuals who must safeguard it for those who will come after. After gathering the portraits, he tracked down a living descendant of each man to give them the item. Bank President Patrick Savingsgros and descendant Scott Savingrose. Bank President Fred Nagel, his two daughters in their 80s and other family members. Not only did those two ladies show up, but their family. Yeah, I saw a big huge family. I mean, how cool, how cool was that? With every portrait returned, a story told, a bond strengthened, and a legacy celebrated. After they got over the surprise that I took the time. to track them down and return the portraits. It was, every one of them without exception, was emotional. After 110 years, Citizens Bank and Trust Company sold. So as it relates to how I ran the bank, I always believe that the things that would make the bank successful as an independent bank would also make it attractive. from acquiring banks. And my period of leadership, a CEO, came at a point in time when there was a lot of consolidation going across the country, and Kentucky was no exception to that. Later, after the portraits were gifted, Bill knew he had to write a book. So the research started, scouring old editions of the Buduka Sun newspaper and other sources. Paducah son founder, W.P. Ken Paxton's son, Edwin J. Ken Paxton, even quoted in an article after the death of bank president Richard Rudy in 1933. So many were his activities and so well did he acquit himself. In all of them, the sum total of his work was enough for four or five men to do. Notice the order. Citizen first, businessman second. So that tells you how... how he lived out his life as a steward rather than a bank leader. And I think that's a, you know, what's the old saying? People remember you for how you made them feel, not how much you knew. I think that's a kind of corollary to that one. A piece of local history now documented, families now better connected, and a man overjoyed about the journey. It's probably one of the most rewarding.

things I've done in my life is getting those portraits back in their hands. Working with me on this episode is photographer Ethan Patterson. Look for the print version of this story in the Paduca Sun Weekend edition this weekend. Thanks for listening.