By Kayla Fugate
Eric Walker is Commercial Team Manager for the South Central Kentucky Region for U.S. Bank. He has an accounting degree from WKU and an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also belongs to the Kentucky and Tennessee State Societies of Public Accountants.
As a graduate of Leadership Kentucky, he was exposed to challenges facing other parts of Kentucky and what Kentuckians can do as a group to help overcome those challenges as well as the challenges Bowling Green faces. “Building a network with successful individuals that come from different parts of the state is a tremendous resource for me as we try to make improvements in Bowling Green,” he says.
Eric says U.S. Bank is unique in its commitment to be one of the most ethical companies in America. “Our core values establish a standard of measure for acting in the best interest of our customers, colleagues, communities, and shareholders.
Being named a World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for 3 consecutive years is a great honor.”
Eric says that workforce development is a very important topic for our community. “As the fastest growing city in the state since the recession, Bowling Green is blessed with the high grade problem of more jobs than workers to fill them- 6,500+ in our workforce area.” He says that the Chamber has been very aggressive in addressing the talent pipeline for our region, raising $1.4M from the private sector to be the first community in the world to implement Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in both school districts, K-12; creating SCK Launch to educate students in middle and high school on the top sectors of our economy and preparing them through earning nationally portable industry credentials and serving as the catalyst in the state for revamping the public workforce system to better serve the community’s citizens.
Volunteer work is an important way Eric gives back to his community. “I believe I have served in every volunteer capacity, including Board Chairman in 2005, for United Way of Southern Kentucky.” He also served on the Board of Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky during a difficult period for that organization. He says that serving on the Capitol Arts Alliance Board and on the WKU Alumni Association Board have also been very rewarding. He is currently serving on the Executive Board of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and on the Executive Board of the Intermodal Transportation Authority.
Eric recommends beginning saving the day you start your first job. “There is nothing better you can do financially for yourself than contribute to your 401k plan. Most employers will match your contribution up to a certain percentage. Did I say, 'Free Money?’”