Anthony DiTinno, 38

As a former Marine, Anthony DiTinno is dedicated to service.

He’s also dedicated to a team environment. It’s one of the reasons DiTinno joined NorthStar Bank as vice president of commercial lending.

He was intrigued by the team that has already doubled in the past two years, and hopes to double again in the next three. He also liked that the bank  shared a commitment to customer service.

Service is something that rings true throughout DiTinno’s family. He grew up in a family of servicemen and decided to join the Marines when he was 17 years old. It’s a move that DiTinno says helped him grow up faster than if he went directly to college. “It was the best thing for me at the time,” he says.

After six years in the service, including time in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, DiTinno decided to go to school and begin learning banking from his uncle, who was also a former Marine.

“I’ve never been a numbers person,” DiTinno says. Instead of chasing a bigger paycheck, DiTinno concentrates on finding a team that shares his values. He’s found that he’s enjoyed building his career around community banks instead of big institutions.

DiTinno decided to join NorthStar after his former bank, Bay Cities Bank, was acquired by Centennial. At Bay Cities Bank, DiTinno opened the loan production office, and over the course of three years managed to grow the loan portfolio to more than $30 million.

“I’m more of a small community bank type of person,” DiTinno says. “Whatever you do moves the needle, affects the bottom line of the bank. I enjoyed that.”

He also likes being able to assist customers who have fallen between the cracks and having the freedom to tailor each product to the individual.

His nomination from NorthStar’s marketing coordinator, Lauren Ferrell, says, “Even when it is an opportunity that we are not able to finance directly, (DiTinno) goes the extra mile to try and find a solution to their borrowing needs … making him the consummate community banker.”

— Traci McMillan Beach

Q&A

Name: Anthony Di Tinno

Age: 38

City of Residence: Oldsmar

Twitter Handle: NA

Employer: NorthStar Bank

Title: Vice President, Commercial Lending

Birthplace: Clearwater, Florida

Years on the Gulf Coast: I have spent most of life in the Bay Area with the exception of my time in the Marine Corps and College.

Marital Status/Children: Married (Melanie) with a 1 year old son (Corey) and our second son to be born in December. 

Alma Mater: University of Central Florida

Best Place to Network: I find the best place to network is spending time with my existing customers and taking the time to learn their business and what they need to be successful. By working to exceed expectations, business always seems to find you.

Coolest Business Experience: I would say that my most fulfilling experience is working with companies to help them achieve their goals. I have had the opportunity to finance the construction of several projects and to be able to watch these projects go from plans and specs to an actual building is extremely gratifying. Knowing what went into the development and being able to see the outcome of the hard work and planning provides a certain level of satisfaction.

Messy Desk or Clean Workspace: I try to maintain a clean and organized work space. However, it does not always stay that way.

Best business lesson I have ever learned: Always work to exceed expectation, and find a healthy mix of work and family.

A website that makes your job easier: Google

Community Group you are most involved in: Leadership Tampa Bay, Leadership Pinellas and I work with our local YMCA on different wellness campaigns to encourage an active lifestyle.

Favorite off hour’s activity: I enjoy running and paddle boarding with my wife and working out at the Crossfit Rebels gym in Clearwater. 

Two people, dead or alive, you would like to have dinner with: I think I would enjoy meeting Samuel Adams and learning more about his ideas around founding the “Sons of Liberty”. I would also enjoy having dinner and drinks with Bill Murry. Because it is Bill Murry and he seems to have truly enjoyed his life.

What you would be doing if you could pick another career:  I would be the Mayor of Oldsmar Florida.

Top item on your bucket list: I would like to travel to Rome and see the Colosseum.

Skill you would like to learn: Play the piano

Who would play you in a movie about your life: Robert Downey Jr.

If I had a magic wand, I’d: I would travel back in time and visit the 7 wonders of the Ancient World.