FINANCE & INSURANCE.

With a long history as a national power in commercial banking. North Carolina's financial services industry has diversified over the last decade. Many large companies, including Credit Suisse, MetLife. TIAA and Vanguard, operate major sites in the state.

ANITA HUGHES BACHMANN

CEO | UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina

Greensboro

Bachmann was promoted to her post four years ago. The plan provides medical coverage to Medicare Advantage and Medicaid patients by Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare. the largest U.S. health insurer. The Medical University of South Carolina graduate serves on the board of the Greensboro Chamber and chairs the local community foundation.

Pre-workday motivation: My day gets started with a very early morning run or boot camp, followed by a big cup of coffee and morning devotion.

Key to industry success: Collaboration has become more important than ever. Bringing people together with different ideas, perspectives and expertise to find innovative solutions allows organizations to solve challenges in a faster and more efficient manner. Working together builds camaraderie, which leads to a healthier and more engaged organization.

Best advice: Listen more than you speak. My dad always said there was a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth. Listening intently creates meaningful relationships and opens the mind to diverse perspectives, which is critical in our learning journey.

Three people to share a meal: Jesus. Abraham Lincoln and Condoleezza Rice.

Proud family accomplishment: Raising three very fine sons who have a strong work ethic and drive, and are the most caring, compassionate men you'll ever meet.

Favorite hobby: Quality time with my sons and husband, usually involving boating, running and fishing.

Where do you most enjoy taking an out-of-town visitor in your community: The Tanger Center, Civil Rights Museum and LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro.

ADITYA BHASIN

chief technology and information officer | Bank of America

Charlotte

Bhasin became the megabank's top tech executive last year. He joined BofA in 2004 after working as a principal at the Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm. Bhasin has master's degrees in computer engineering and engineering management from Dartmouth College and bachelor's degrees from Hamilton College.

JEFFREY 'JB' BROWN

CEO | Ally Financial

Charlotte

Brown, 49, joined the digital financial services company in 2009, became CEO in 2015 and has led significant growth as Ally posted a record $3 billion profit last year. Previously the treasurer of Bank of America. Brown is a Clemson University graduate with a Queens University MBA. He's part of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council.

Pre-workday motivation: A couple of years ago. I was introduced to the concept of essentialism--the disciplined pursuit of less--by Greg McKeown. Since then.

I've worked to incorporate it into my daily routine. It helps me focus on the handful of things that really matter, say no to the things that don't add value and make time to think about what's next--what's around the corner.

Key to success in your industry: A strong, purpose-driven culture. If you have a healthy culture, everything else follows.

Put another way, if you take care of your employees, they, in turn, take care of your customers, which drives business results. It all starts and ends with culture.

Best advice: Three things. First, do what you say you are going to do and follow through on your commitments. Have your boss' back, and keep them in the know. Finally, surround yourself with smart people. I'm tremendously lucky to have simply the best leadership team in the business.

Three people to share a meal: Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Tim Cook. All have made and continue to make a massive impact on their industries, the business world and society as a whole.

Proud family accomplishment: We have a tradition to cook a family meal together every week, and I really value that. The time goes by so fast while the kids are in the house. While frequent travel is inevitable in my career, I realize how precious these moments are.

Favorite hobby: I'm a foodie--I love to cook and love to grill, in particular. I'm also a lover of cars and racing. I guess you could say I found the right company for my personal passions.

Where to entertain a visitor: Charlotte is an amazing community, and I'm lucky to call it home. But right now. I'll go with an Ally-sponsored Charlotte FC match. I dare anyone to come up with a more inspiring moment than 75,000 fans singing the national anthem together as we did on March 5 during the inaugural game.

STEVE BOLAND

chief administrative officer | Bank of America

Charlotte

The Northwestern University graduate succeeded Andrea Smith last year in the key administrative role. A bank staffer since 1995, he previously led community banking and consumer lending. He is vice chair of BofA's Global Diversity & Inclusion Council and on the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council.

Pre-workday motivation: My morning workout gets me focused and energized for the day ahead.

Best advice: Remain humble, intellectually curious, and willing to put in the work.

Favorite hobby: Golf. It's funny how a game that can be so humbling can provide so much enjoyment.

Three people to share a meal: Walt Disney, Martin Luther King and Maya Angelou.

RICHARD BRYANT

CEO | Capital Investment Companies

Raleigh

Heading a team of more than 40 financial planners, advisers and others, Bryant, 62, says Capital Investment can offer wealth management and services similar to large Wall Street-based companies but with the hometown touches worthy of Gastonia, where he was born. A graduate of N.C. State University, he founded the firm in 1984.

Pre-workday motivation: The unforeseen challenges and opportunities that await ... and, of course, coffee!

Key to industry success: Besides top-notch service and expertise, our mantra speaks for itself: Integrity, independence and innovation.

Best advice: From my father: "If you're gonna start a business, start one with few employees, no receivables and no inventory." The investment business is as close to that as I could find.

Three people to share a meal: Jack Nicholson, Stevie Wonder and Queen Elizabeth II.

Proud family accomplishment: Through all of life's struggles, we're very close and making out just fine. I think!

Favorite hobby: It's a tie: Cars and music.

Where to entertain a visitor: An N.C. State Wolfpack sporting event.

RICK CALLICUTT

chair, Carolinas & Virginia | Pinnacle Financial Partners

High Point

Callicutt was among a half-dozen initial employees at startup Bank of North Carolina in 1991, becoming president and CEO in 2013. Since Nashville-based Pinnacle bought the bank for $1.9 billion in 2017, he's helped lead significant growth in the three-state region that he oversees. He began his career working for Wachovia and First Union banks. He's an alum and trustee of High Point University and board chair of the North Carolina Bankers Association. Pinnacle has been named one of Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work for five straight years.

DOUG CHITTENDEN

executive vice president, head of client relationships | TIAA

Charlotte

The Rutgers University graduate has been with TIAA for 35 years. Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association juggles more than $1 trillion in assets for some 5 million active and retired professors and others. His team manages relationships with industry leaders and advocacy organizations.

RON DAY

founding director, president, CEO | First Carolina Bank

Raleigh

Day. 56. has led one of the state's fastest-growing banks over the last decade, with offices in Rocky Mount. Raleigh, Cary and Wilmington. He led an investor group that bought the business in 2012. Last year. First Carolina converted its Virginia Beach, Virginia loan office into a full-service branch and is expanding this year into Columbia. S.C. and Atlanta. Day is a 1987 UNC Chapel Hill graduate who previously worked at the Bank of Hampton Roads in Virginia and RBC Bank in Raleigh and Atlanta.

Pre-workday motivation: The opportunity to do the job I'm privileged to do with the people we have on our team.

Key to industry success: A commitment to being the best and building a team with the best people in the business.

Best advice: Make your plan.

Three people to share a meal: Jack Nicklaus, Elton John and Tom Brady

Proud family accomplishment: The unwavering support that we provide to each other.

Favorite hobby: Golf--playing and watching professional tournaments.

Where to entertain a visitor: The Angus Barn restaurant.

JIM DUNN

chief investment officer, CEO | Verger Capital Management

Winston-Salem

The Villanova University graduate previously was chief investment officer at Wake Forest University's endowment fund. He created Verger in 2014 and manages $2 billion in assets.

Key to industry success: Thinking differently. We believe the ability to think differently starts with understanding your why--not just what you do. but why you do it. Secondly, stay humble and hungry.

Proud family accomplishment: The work ethic of my two sons in their studies, athletics, and personal and professional relationships.

Where to entertain a visitor: A Wake Forest University basketball game. My son is on the team, and I could not be prouder.

ROB EDWARDS

managing partner | Ridgemont Equity Partners

Charlotte

The avid outdoorsman, Edwards is a co-founder of Ridgemont, a private equity company that was part of Bank of America until 2010. He's a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and Harvard University. His deals have included the 2021 investment in Chicago-based Seko Logistics. He's also worked for McKinsey & Co. and Allied Capital.

Pre-workday motivation: The opportunity to work with talented, interesting individuals both at my firm and portfolio companies.

Favorite hobby: Golf

Where to entertain a visitor: Carolina Panthers football game

LEE FITE

Carolinas regional president | Fifth Third Bank

Ch...