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| MARKETING:
ADVERTORIALS Thomas V. Wornham :: Wells Fargo Bank ---------------------------- Thomas V. Wornham following in the footsteps of banking giants. At the same time, the 19-year Wells Fargo veteran and third-generation San Diego native is successfully forging his own path. These parallel lives, laced with the burden of expectation, seem to be his destiny. In other ways, they’re simply his birthright. As senior vice president and regional manager for Wells Fargo’s commercial banking divisions in San Diego and Imperial Counties, Wornham oversees the financial service needs of companies with annual revenues of $5 million to $500 million. Last year, after working a three-year stint in the Bay area, he was offered a chance to return home. His mission — in a market that defined the industry’s mergers and acquisition frenzy — was use to his experience and expertise to build, manage and invigorate Wells’ commercial banking customer base. According to Wornham, he couldn’t help but focus on San Diego’s banking legacy. “It struck me that we are the successor to U.S. National, Great American, San Diego Federal, San Diego Trust and First Interstate...all those great names. I realized that those are the companies I’m now responsible for. It was one of those humbling moments.” However, humility doesn’t make him walk softly because of the shoes he must fill. Rather, he carries a big stick, just like his grandfather, General Thomas A. Wornham, a three-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps who helped lead the invasion on Iwo Jima in World War II. In banking, allegiance to the almighty dollar is like service to country — and like enemy forces, the competition is relentless. So Wornham is focused on making Wells Fargo best in class in terms of customer service, commercial products and effective delivery methods for both. “ Companies have to make money and have assets in order to survive long-term. We’ve been part of the growth of many companies,” he says. “Our 2,000 local employees and our distribution [of services] network are our strongest advantage. Ninety percent of our customers bank online, we have an active call center, and we’re primed to use technology to enhance distribution.” Wornham already has destiny, pedigree and his own track record on his side. Factor in the reliability and trust he’s earned from a diverse range of businesses thriving within San Diego’s new economy-old economy climate, and it seems there’s room for a new imprint among the footprint of giants. Originally published in San Diego magazine June 2000. |
