Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted individuals and/or groups who are willing to go out of their own way to help others. This week’s featured is Michael Kermec from Farmers National Bank and a Musician.
Name: Michael Kermec
Position: Mortgage Loan Officer
Organization: Farmers National Bank/Musician
Mike has been in financing since he was 23 years old. Right out of college, Mike worked for various companies on the different ends of financing. He specialized in collections work and credit repair. He wanted to get out and meet with people and talk one on one, but his position at the time wasn’t great for that, so he went into banking, and lending money to people.
In addition to his banking career, Mike has been a musician since he was 10, and started with the drums. Same idea came to him, as with banking. He didn’t want to be in the back of all of the action, so at the age of 14 Mike moved to guitar to be up front. His family played music and were in a variety of bands, so he was able to pick a lot from watching them.
What made you want to go into this field?
I enjoy helping people where I can. Whether it be raising money for a loved one, for a cause, or helping a person get their finances on track, it seems like the music and the banking are a perfect balance for my life. One half of the day I’m in a suit with a laptop, the second half I’m in ripped jeans with tattoos showing playing my guitar!
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
My parents were supportive and encouraging throughout my life. They believed in me.
What is the biggest professional mistake you made along the way?
Biggest mistake I make is overextending myself. I raise 2 kids and can never say no to, well…anything.
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What inspires you to do good in our community?
When I see people singing along while I’m playing my guitar, that’s truly entertaining. I know at that time, they aren’t thinking about any of the problems that wake them up at night. The fact that I can bring them there with wood and strings makes me continue to play. Likewise with financing, when a first time home buyer closes on their house, I feel that excitement, that energy from them.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering in our community?
I enjoy volunteering because what I do is fun! I do charitable work with clean up around the city and different basket building fundraisers, but playing music and watching people dance and sing along was never work to me.
What song best describes you or is the soundtrack to your life?
I don’t think I could ever pick one song. My life has been a box set of different experiences. At times it can be a little country, a lot of rock and roll, a bit of pop, and sprinkled in with some R & B.
What is your best accomplishment/experience in life?
My best accomplishments are my kids. Raising money for charities, lending money, playing my guitar, all bring me happiness, but I am so proud of my kids. My son plays guitar with me at a lot of my shows and my daughter is only 6 and sings and dances. Were truly becoming a family band and they are seeing the same enjoyment I see out of it.
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Who is your role model and Why?
My mom and dad are my top role models. Their guidance has put me on my path. They were supportive of me trying whatever I wanted in life. Between auditioning for major bands when I was young, to keeping up with my studies, they trusted and believed in me.
If there was one person that you would like to meet, past or present and why? I would like to speak with would be my mother, Susan Kermec. I lost her a few years ago and if I could have another conversation with her, that would have the most impact on me, and my courses of action throughout life.
