Fast 15: Keaton Smith
by January 1, 2012 12:00 am 351 views
Keaton Smith is excited by the increased opportunity his new position at IberiaBank gives him to make a difference in people’s lives.
His previous role entailed customer service, opening checking accounts and making consumer loans. In his new job, he said, “I’m more active in business loans and have more freedom to do business development and engage further in the community.”
“Banking done right, you really have a chance to have a positive impact in your community,” he said. “You can save people money, help them improve their lives, help businesses grow. So you can really play a tangible role in economic development.”
Originally from Michigan, Smith graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Unsure of what he wanted to do in that field but wanting to stay in the region, he took a job at ANB Financial.
When ANB failed and IberiaBank purchased it in 2008, he stayed on as a business development officer and then senior relationship banker.
Smith also aims to make a difference by working toward sustainable energy solutions. He got interested in the subject around 2009 after reading about the Green Valley Initiative that started in Fayetteville.
“What initially excited me was the idea that I could help Northwest Arkansas realize its potential to be a leader in what very well could be the next great global industry, of sustainable energy and water solutions,” Smith said.
He’s been active in the Fayetteville Forward Economic Accountability Council’s Green Economy Group since its inception in 2009. He’s also on the boards of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association and Partners for Better Housing.
Besides work and sustainability issues, Smith’s passions revolve around Razorback sports and live music, especially bluegrass.
He sees Northwest Arkansas as having “limitless” potential, and is motivated by that and the opportunities for collaborating to promote the area.
“There are millions of people out there that want to live here or visit us. They just don’t know it yet.”
— Serenah McKay