a questionable life by Luke Lively

Author:Luke Lively
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Published: 2000-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

My performance improved dramatically after this. William Crabtree treated me fairly for the remainder of his time at PT&G—a little less than four years after I confronted him with the Skeens situation. He decided to step down from his position and retire to one of his several retirement homes. He did do me a favor when he left: He recommended me for his position.

“Jack, I know we’ve had our differences, but I’m going to recommend you for my position,” Crabtree said. His face was thin and pale. “One thing I want you to promise me. I want to know that the past is the past and you will never disclose anything you think may have happened.”

“Are you doing this because I could talk about the past—or are you doing it because you think I’m the best person for the job?” I asked. After my slow start, in the nearly five years I had been making business loans I had distinguished myself as the top producer and most profitable at PT&G. This did not come at a small price. I worked 24/7 to make the deals, perform underwriting, and move in the social circles necessary to stay in touch with Philadelphia’s players. It was a heavy price, but one I had been willing to pay.

“You’re the best we have,” he said. “I also want you to forget the past. It’s the best for both of us.”

“Agreed,” I said. “The past is the past—it’s all history.”

Over the years, Chad told me about where he would like to see me as I moved through my career. “I need people like you, Jack, that I can trust,” he said. “That is an absolute necessity for any executive position at PT&G; I must trust the person, without fail.”

With a little over five years of experience I was promoted into Bill Crabtree’s position. I was the bank’s top producer. There were others more qualified in terms of years of experience, but they lacked what I had—Chad’s trust.

Just like earning my reputation as a top producer, I had earned Chad’s trust by putting everything on the line. I went after deals that Chad specifically wanted. Much of the risk associated with many of these deals was outside of our policy, but Chad was the person who ultimately made the call. He had a purpose in mind. “I want to make sure that everyone in Philadelphia knows that PT&G is the best bank in the city. To do that means we take risks. But life is a game, and if you don’t roll the dice you’ll never win.” Chad had said this on many occasions, especially after deciding to approve a risky deal.

My next promotion wasn’t much of a surprise—I had worked for it. I was called into his office on a Wednesday afternoon after the PT&G monthly board of director’s meeting. “Today the PT&G Board of Directors approved you as the new executive vice president and senior credit officer. Congratulations, Jack, you’re now a PT&G executive.”

I thanked Chad for his support because I knew he was the person making the promotion happen.

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