Fast 15: Angela Gaucin

Arvest’s mission of “people helping people” resonates with Angela Gaucin. And she feels “a moral debt, a moral sense of responsibility, to pour back into” the community that gave her so much growing up.

Gaucin remembers the community-sponsored Girls on the Run she joined in elementary school; the Walmart-sponsored leadership program in middle school; and earning an associate degree from NorthWest Arkansas Community College at no cost through a Rogers Public Schools program, which meant she earned both her high school diploma and associate degree by the age of 18.

A child of Hispanic, immigrant parents, Gaucin learned hard work from her parents. Her first job at Chick-fil-A taught her “the gold standard of hospitality. It really set me up for success as far as what true customer service looks like.”

At 17, Gaucin thought she wanted to be a nurse to help people, so she joined the Arkansas Army National Guard to train as a combat medic. She found nursing wasn’t her passion but realized Arvest’s mission was. “Arvest found me when I needed it most, and for that I’m forever grateful,” she said.

Beginning as a teller in 2020 at 19, Gaucin quickly moved to finance sales representative, then to assistant branch manager at 21. She was promoted to her current role at age 23. Gaucin leads a team of 11 employees focused on sales performance, customer experience and operational excellence.

Gaucin is an Experience Springdale graduate, and part of Arvest’s Rising Leaders and regional L.E.A.D. leadership development programs. 

Because volunteering and helping the community are important, she’s volunteered as a Springdale Public School Lunch Buddy and a translator; coached Girls on the Run teams; and supported For the Love, the NWA Food Bank, and SOAR NWA. Her favorite is being an ambassador for the Rogers Lowell Chamber. She’s also in her eighth year with the Arkansas Army National Guard.

“What motivates me is I want to be part of something greater than myself,” she said. “The more I feel like I’m making a difference, that I make an impact, whether it’s in the community, the workplace or even at home, that’s what keeps me going.”

A career highlight has been the mentoring she’s received. Gaucin hopes to pour back into her employees in the same way.