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Pilot Bank’s Laura Schaffer Brings Superior Customer Experience to the Community

August 15, 2017

As a community bank, Pilot Bank consistently works to provide uncompromised values, passion for service, and an incredible team to carry out these core values. These standards are why Pilot Bank has been in business for 30 years, which is why its Market Leaders reflect its fundamental service-based attitude. With 31 years in the banking industry, Laura Schaffer maintains a well-established career within the field of bank management.

While originally born in Virginia, her father was in the military, therefore Laura moved all over the world. In 1979 her father was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base and has remained in Tampa ever since. Laura’s successful start in banking began at The University of Tampa while she received a BA in Sociology. While enrolled at UT, she worked as a Treasury Analyst. After graduating, Laura realized the potential for remaining within the banking industry and therefore began a Management Training Program in 1988. Upon the completion the program, Laura remained an Executive-Level Professional while working for banks such as First Union National Bank of Florida (n/k/a Wachovia National Bank), Manufacturers Bank of Florida, Platinum Bank, and C1 Bank (n/k/a Bank of the Ozarks).

After her many years of delivering outstanding decision-making, strategic planning, and crisis-management abilities, last October, Laura joined Pilot Bank as Temple Terrace Market Leader and Treasury Manager. Alongside Pilot Bank’s core values, Laura’s integrity, consistency, and the establishment of long-lasting relationships, have been an essential factor that has led to past and current success. Her degree in Sociology has enabled her to utilize her skill-set to connect with people and learn various ways in which she is able to efficiently and proactively solve problems for her clients.

Laura’s professional experience includes five years on the Florida Sterling Council where she assisted in evaluating businesses across Florida who had applied for the Sterling award for Qualify. She was also very heavily involved within the Junior League of Tampa Bay. Additionally, through Pilot Bank, Laura is currently involved in the Rotary Club of Tampa North, Temple Terrace Chamber, Greater Tampa Chamber, as well as South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

When it comes to the community, Laura has dedicated great amounts of time for the American Cancer Society. She began volunteering for the American Cancer Society 6 years ago, yet after the first year Laura knew that she wanted to become even more heavily invested. From 2013-2014, her role was the Event Chair at the Westshore Relay for Life where the event exceeded event goals both years. The following two years, Lara’s role was the Survivor Chair at the Relay for Life Greco Westshore. In 2015-2016, Laura was an incoming Vice-Chair at Making Strides against Breast Cancer Tampa serving with Pilot Bank’s COO Rita Lowman (Event Chair) and in the year of 2015 exceeded the goal of $700,000. On average, Laura volunteers and walks in three Relay of Life events per year, but can be a part of as many as five or six. In addition to her heavy involvement with the American Cancer Society, this year, Laura is fundraising with one of her clients for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Laura is a proud wife and mother of three children. Her eldest daughter currently studies Finance at the University of Georgia, her son plays Basketball at Flagler University, and her youngest daughter attends King High School. Laura’s passion for volunteerism has spread even throughout her family. After introducing her youngest daughter to Relay for Life, her daughter was inspired to create a larger impact where she became the youngest Relay for Life Committee Chair ever in Hillsborough County. Additionally, Laura encourages and fosters any additional community involvement and she is a Volunteer Parent for her youngest daughter at the Temple Terrace Juniorettes.

With her BA in Sociology alongside her 31 years of banking, Laura’s niche lies in delivering superb client service as well as quality assessment through hands-on problem-solving capabilities. Laura explains why she loves working at Pilot Bank,

“Being a Market Leader at Pilot Bank allows me to have the freedom to run my own business. Whenever there is a question or problem, I can directly call my clients to solve any problem. I also love the liberty to build my team and motivate them in order to provide my clients with the utmost service.”

Laura’s independent Leadership style has allowed her to achieve a results-oriented approach to business with outstanding decision-making, strategic planning, and crisis-management abilities in a proactive and positive manner. Her expert knowledge and passion for service directly aligns with Pilot Bank’s standard for quality and client satisfaction.

Learn more about Pilot Bank and be sure to follow Pilot Bank on Facebook and LinkedIn!

 

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This post was written by Elevate, Inc.

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