My First Job: Gerald Hatler, president and CEO

July 17, 2005

My First Job: Gerald Hatler, president and CEO

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Gerald Hatler

Current position: President and CEO, EvergreenBank.

First job: After four years in the Air Force, was working for the Missoula Bank of Montana in a management-training program. My job was to run the proof machine that put the numbers on the checks prior to processing. It was a production environment that gave me a clear view of the inside workings of the bank.

Pay: I earned $500 a month, which was a big improvement from my Air Force starting pay of $150.

How I got the job: I met the bank president and his family before enlisting in the Air Force. He said I should look him up when I got out. I started work within one week of completing my service.

What I learned: 1) Networking with the neighbors, even at an early age, can pay off.

2) You should study what you most enjoy in college because you'll learn most of what you need to know to be successful on the job. I graduated with a degree in history and political science.

3) I liked banking and determined that being a bank CEO would be my long-term goal. The journey over the years — with all its twists and turns — has been very rewarding.

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