Bowling Green’s 40 Under 40: Clayton Lilla

Story by Amelia Bowen

Ask Clayton Lilla what gets him out of bed in the morning, and he will tell you it comes down to solving puzzles and helping people build things that last. Long before he was structuring complex commercial loans or managing high-stakes banking relationships, he was a kid growing up in Bowling Green, watching local businesses shape the town he loved. That deep local connection is why Clayton does not view commercial lending as just balancing spreadsheets or analyzing data. To him, every business loan represents a local family’s dream, a new facility breaking ground, or a neighborhood business expanding its footprint. Since entering the banking industry in 2020, Clayton has built a reputation at Stock Yards Bank & Trust as the kind of relationship manager who digs into the details. His path to commercial banking took off during his time in the Mahurin Honors College at Western Kentucky University, where a college internship opened his eyes to the fast-paced world of finance. Combining a background in business administration and business data analytics, he realized his real strength was digging into business operations and turning tricky financial questions into opportunities for growth. That problem-solving mindset extends beyond the banking floor. Driven by a passion for education that stems from his mother’s career as a teacher, Clayton believes the strength of a community depends on how well it prepares its young people. He puts that belief into practice by serving on the alumni board for his former college fraternity, mentoring young men through formative years, and guiding emerging leaders through Bowling Green Young Professionals. Whether he is serving with the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club or the Center for Courageous Kids Advocacy Committee, Clayton approaches community service with the same handson energy he brings to his clients. “I grew up seeing how much this community has to offer, especially after going through Leadership Bowling Green two years ago and witnessing the sheer number of people working to uplift this area,” Clayton says. “My goal is simple. I want to remain confident, put myself out there as much as possible and leave things better than I found them.” Away from work, Clayton keeps his focus rooted close to home. Clayton and his wife, Margaret, love filling their weekends with lively game nights for friends, spending time outdoors and keeping up with their three dogs. As he looks ahead to the next decade, Clayton is eager to continue building Stock Yards Bank & Trust’s local presence while starting a family of his own in the town that built him.