Heritage Bank of the Ozarks
Day In The Life: Crystal Wade
Walking in Her Shoes: A Day with Crystal Wade, EVP of Operations
Leadership at Heritage Bank of the Ozarks starts with people who care deeply about community.
In our new series, Behind the Board, we’re spotlighting the individuals who help guide our mission from the top. These are the trusted voices behind the vision—community leaders, business owners, and longtime advocates who believe in the power of community banking. Through personal stories, career reflections, and a few fun facts, you’ll get to know the people behind the boardroom doors and why they choose to serve Heritage Bank and the communities we call home.
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How did you become involved with Heritage Bank of the Ozarks?
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Bill asked if I’d be interested in becoming an investor and charter director. My dad had been involved with a community bank in our hometown of Hannibal for many years, and he encouraged me to get involved. It’s been a great opportunity for diversification and has exposed me to a wide variety of businesses. I’ve learned a lot about business and have had the chance to meet some incredible people along the way.
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What excites you about community banking?
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It allows dreams to come true. Community banks have been the catalyst for the success of our family businesses.
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Can you tell us a little about your career path?
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Growing up in a family business, Hardee’s, I got an early start mowing grass, unloading trucks, running shifts, and helping open new stores. After earning a degree in accounting and spending a few years gaining experience on my own, I returned to the family business. In the late '90s, we transitioned into hospitality, and hotels have been our core focus ever since. We’ve been fortunate to build a strong team along the way—people who work hard every day to serve our customers well.
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What does a typical day look like for you?
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Early rise around 5 am, coffee, prayer, email, workout (most days), shower, and then off to pester one of my GMs.
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What values guide your leadership or business decisions?
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Servant's attitude. Empower your TEAM
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What’s one piece of advice you often share?
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Continuous improvement, ALWAYS be looking for something better in all that you do.
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What’s your go-to coffee order—or favorite way to start the day?
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Fresh-brewed Dunkin medium roast coffee
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If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would your dream job be?
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I'm lucky to be doing my dream job!
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