In this episode of Brand Story, our president, Steve Gilman, connects with Neil Hayslett, CEO of Pendleton Community Bank, for a conversation about leadership, staying close to the communities you serve, and carrying an organization's values forward through change and growth.
The strongest leaders know that progress doesn’t always require starting over. Sometimes, it begins with recognizing what’s worth carrying forward.
After more than 35 years in banking, Neil Hayslett stepped into the CEO role at Pendleton Community Bank following a carefully planned leadership transition. Rather than approaching the position with a mandate for sweeping change, Neil has focused on building on an established culture while bringing his own leadership style to the role. That includes becoming more intentional in how he connects with employees, taking a collaborative approach to decision-making, and creating opportunities for other leaders to grow.
The conversation also looks at what it means to be a community bank at a time when customers have more choices in how and where they manage their money. For Neil, community banking comes down to relationships—knowing the people and businesses you serve, showing up in the places they call home, and making decisions with an understanding of what those communities actually need.
As Pendleton Community Bank continues to grow and embrace new technology, Neil shares why progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal service. Whether it’s adopting new ways to make banking more accessible or preparing the next generation of leadership, his focus remains on moving forward without losing sight of the values and relationships at the heart of the organization.
