Story by Emily Robertson
Chris Whitfield knew from early on in his life he wanted to pursue a career in law. The Bowling Green native followed his interest to different locations, but now, he couldn’t be happier to be back here in his hometown, using his gifts and talents to serve people in his own community.
Whitfield graduated from Greenwood High School and went on to receive degrees in Economics and Political Science from Western Kentucky University. During his time at WKU, he served as the chairman of the Spirit Masters, Chief of Student Government and President of the Pre-Law Club. He also met two key advisors who helped him further his ambitions.
“Dr. Bill Davis and Robbin Taylor were both big influences during my time at WKU,” Whitfield says. “Dr. Davis was my favorite economics professor and he really helped me develop a love of economics and see how I could use that degree for law school and beyond. Robbin Taylor was the Director of Government Relations and President Ransdell’s Chief of Staff. She was in] charge of the Spirit Masters and helped me to get a job on Capitol Hill after graduating.”
After his time on Capitol Hill, Whitfield went on to attend University of Kentucky College of Law, graduating in 2010. He moved back to Bowling Green and practiced at what is now Kerrick Bachert Attorneys at Law for three years, where he worked mostly with bankruptcy and credit reputations. It was while he was working there, he was contacted by South Central Bank with the opportunity as their In-House Counsel.
“The bank had a fantastic reputation and I liked the idea of having only one client,” Whitfield says. “The chance to work for a company I admired so much was a great opportunity.”
Currently, Whitfield serves as Market President for both Bowling Green and Franklin.
The bank currently has six locations and a mortgage office on the Bypass in Bowling Green, set to open this year.
Chris married his wife, Jenni, in August 2020 after meeting through a blind date. “We were set up on a blind date from a best friend from school,” Whitfield says. “They knew her from a church in Nashville, where she was living. We were both nervous about the blind date, but we both left knowing that it could be something very special.”
The couple shares two dogs, a golden retriever and mini lab, and enjoys staying active with tennis and running, along with working together on rental homes and flipping houses. Chris and Jenni are members at Broadway Methodist Church, and it was through the church that Chris found additional ways to serve his community and make an impact where it is most needed.
“I serve on the board of trustees and lead a group of youth boys I’ve been with since they were in sixth grade,” Whitfield says. “Some of the group just graduated and we still get together. Leading that group is my favorite thing I do.”
Despite his busy schedule, Whitfield loves to meet new people and attend local events to help make new connections. He served as President of the Bowling Green/Warren County Bar Association in 2020 and works to help continue the legacy of the local nonprofit, Megan’s Mobile Grocery.
“I am a founding member of the organization when it started in March of 2019, and I served as Vice President of the Board,” Whitfield says. “It all started through a conversation at church with Abraham Williams about the biggest need in the west end of the city and how we could come along side to help. I got invited into the meeting and the next thing I knew, things were really happening. Through Megan’s Mobile Grocery, we want to make sure all people in Bowling Green have access to healthy food options and make food affordable for everyone.”
Looking forward, Whitfield has big dreams, both personally and professionally. “I would love to continue to help SCB grow,” Whitfield says. “We are one of the largest banks in the area and have large renovations coming at the Campbell Lane office and the new mortgage branch opening, so our footprint is growing and we are excited.
Jenni and I hope to be able to grow our family, as well as continue our service and involvement in the community. Also, we love to travel and plan to take the honeymoon to Europe that we had to cancel during COVID, which will be my first time out of the country.”
But no matter where they travel, his roots will be firmly set here in south central Kentucky. “I love meeting new people and being out in the community making connections,” Whitfield says. “When I graduated from WKU, I wanted to expand my wings and go to new places and after four years, I realized I wanted nothing more than to be back home in Bowling Green.”