Mark Hindley, 32

Mark Hindley was educated in banking’s school of hard knocks.

Hindley’s first job in the financial services industry was collecting payday loans while accompanied by an armed guard. “I’m walking into less-than-desirable neighborhoods trying to collect on overdue $150 payday loans,” he chuckles.

Hindley’s next bank job was running the branch of a community bank inside a Kroger’s grocery store in Indiana. The highlight of each day was walking over to the deli department and grabbing the microphone to announce the day’s CD rates to shoppers over the intercom.

Fast forward to 2007, when Hindley moved to Southwest Florida to join Orion Bank in Naples. Two years later, the bank collapsed and Chairman and CEO Jerry Williams was sent to jail.

Hindley remained with IberiaBank, which took over Orion when it failed in late 2009. “I am the only treasury person from the Orion days,” he says.

Today, Hindley is responsible for the treasury portfolio of IberiaBank for Southwest Florida, a deposit base of about $750 million. Last year, Hindley’s region was named the bank’s best-performing treasury management department.

Hindley is also a new father after he and his wife adopted an orphaned teenaged girl from Colombia through their church. The lengthy process of adoption and his daughter’s life growing up in a Colombian orphanage has brought new perspective to their busy lives.

“It makes you realize what is ultimately important,” Hindley says. “What you stress about at work, you don’t stress about anymore.”

— Jean Gruss

Q&A

City of residence: Bonita Springs

Twitter handle: @mark_hindley

Birthplace: Manchester, Conn.

Years on the Gulf Coast: Seven

Marital status/children: Wife (Jillian), daughter (Liliana)

Alma mater: Indiana Wesleyan University

Best place to network: Leadership Collier Foundation Alumni Events

Coolest business experience: I’m an avid golfer and have had the pleasure of working with a client who owns and operates high-end golf clubs, several of which host PGA tournaments. A few years ago, I was able to recommend and implement several cash management solutions that provided significant cost and time savings. It is gratifying to turn on the TV to watch a PGA Tour event at one of my client’s clubs and be reminded that in a very small way, I have helped contribute to the club’s success and bottom line.

One website that makes your job easier: Federalreserve.gov

One community group you’re most involved with: Summit Church and Hope for Haiti

Favorite off-hours activity: Outdoor adventures with the family, golfing, exercising and mentoring

The most important business lesson I’ve learned: The only things the banking industry has not commoditized are expertise, integrity and responsiveness. Without these, you cannot differentiate yourself. With them, you have the critical foundation to build lasting partnerships and deep client loyalty.

Best award you ever received: The Airman’s Coin for completing Basic Training

Who would play you in a movie about your life: Keanu Reeves

Two people, dead or alive, you’d like to have dinner with: Jesus Christ and my older brother David who passed away in 2005

Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Living in Bogota, Colombia, for six weeks while finalizing the adoption of our then 16-year-old daughter, Liliana

What’s at the top of your bucket list: Creating a foundation or nonprofit with my wife

What new skill would you like to learn: Fluency in Spanish. It would give my daughter and me a unique connection.

If I had a magic wand I’d: Have all who are broken be restored, all who are captive be set free and all who are weary and burdened find rest.