President of BankPlus in Yazoo City
What was your first job?
I farmed with my father for three years after graduating from Mississippi State University.
Education
I have a degree in Agricultural Business from Mississippi State University. I am a graduate of the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
Where do you live?
I live in Yazoo County about five miles outside of Yazoo City in the Delta on Broad Lake.
Tell us about your family
I have been married to Amanda Link Greenlee of Yazoo County for twenty-four years. We have two sons, Link Greenlee, twenty-one-years old, in his fourth year at Mississippi State, Staten Greenlee, eighteen years old, a freshman at Mississippi State and a daughter, Lexie Greenlee, fifteen, a sophomore at Manchester Academy.
Describe what you do in your position
I manage around twenty-eight employees in two branches in Yazoo City and maintain a loan portfolio.
How did you become interested in your career field?
I actually didn’t grow up thinking I wanted to be a banker but planned to farm my whole career. After farming for three years with my dad, I still had the desire to try something on my own. I went to work for Delta and Pine Land for three years as a Regional Salesman which eventually led me to Yazoo City. It was here that I met Butch Gary, my personal banker at the time, who offered me a job at BankPlus as a lender and twenty one years later I am still here.
What do you like least about your job?
It might sound silly considering what I do, but I do not like paperwork or being tied to an office from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day.
Goal you have yet to achieve
My passion is land and farming so I hope to grow in this area and keep current land holdings in our family.
Best business decision you have ever made?
Going to work for BankPlus and buying farm and hunting land.
Worst business decision you have ever made
Getting into the rental house business. Not because it is a bad business model but simply because I didn’t enjoy it and therefore didn’t put the needed time into it.
Two or three people who made a difference in your life while growing up
First and foremost, I give credit to my parents, Thomas and Merrill Greenlee. They raised my brother, Warren, and I in a Christian home and we were taught morals, values and work ethic at a young age. They definitely gave us a head start on life due to their strict discipline but positive upbringing and I am very thankful for that. They showed us love while also giving us self-confidence which are obviously both very important.
In my adult life I have two men that have been a huge positive influence on my life. My father in law, Bill Link, is one of those men. He and I have a wonderful relationship and have been more like best friends than just in laws. He is one of the few remaining Southern Gentleman in this world. He is someone I go to for advice and guidance.
The second one is the man that hired me to come work for BankPlus, Butch Gary. Butch was my boss for twenty one years but also became one of my very best friends. He is a tremendous mentor to me and also someone I can go to for guidance on anything in my life not just work-related things.
Favorite Book
I would be lying on this one if I tried to name a book and besides my wife would call me out on it because I do not enjoy reading. The Bible would be the only book that gets my time and attention.
Best business advice you have been given
By far the best advice ever given to me is the importance of relationships and treating people right. Thankfully this comes very natural to me. I love dealing with people and would consider this to be one of my strongest attributes. My lending assistant, LaWanna Osborne, calls me Mr. Sunshine because I always find a good in everyone. Having a positive attitude and outlook and being filled with optimism is vital to success I believe.