Jessica Keller
Assistant Vice President/Internal Auditor
The Peoples Bank of Georgia, Talbotton
Q: Will you share a little insight with us about how you chose banking as a career?
I originally started working at the bank as an intern. I honestly had no intentions of making banking my career, but found that it fulfilled my need to be challenged and allowed for balanced time with my family.
Q: Who gets the most credit for driving you to succeed and grow as an individual? From the beginning until now; who has made the biggest impact?
My dad has always been an extremely hard worker, and I like to think I inherited some of his work ethic. He has pushed me to grow and learn as much as possible “because education can’t be taken away from you.” My dad's encouragement was the biggest reason I started my Master's Degree, the Georgia Banking School, and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. I also believe I could not have done any of it without the help and support of my husband, Will. I am extremely grateful to both of them for pushing me to do more.
Q: What's your favorite part of any given day working for the bank?
I cherish the people I work with and love learning from them. I love overcoming challenging obstacles and have a wonderful mentor in the bank’s CFO Ken Phillips.
Q: How have benefited from your participation in GBA programs like the Georgia Banking School and the GBA-affiliated Graduate School of Banking at LSU?
The Georgia Banking School was a perfect place to build a foundation for my time at LSU and start new relationships with people who work in similar-sized markets. LSU was a more challenging experience, but the teachers were incredible! I have been a student for 25 years now, and LSU had some of the most intelligent instructors I have ever had the privilege to learn from.
Q: When you’re not on the job fulfilling your Peoples Bank of Georgia duties, what do you like to do?
I love spending time with my family and volunteering with the Junior League in my community. I am also addicted to interior design and cooking when my time allows for it.