Sunshine State Bank’s new President Andrew Samuel has enough professional experience that made him stand out among other candidates for the post.
But the India native also has a unique life story that lends to his value-based philosophy in leadership. This value-based emphasis was something the bank’s board members were looking for when they tapped Samuel after Immediate Past President Floyd Hall retired this month.
“He’s a very impressive guy,” Hall said. “Being involved with a value-based company, he’s demonstrative of those values with employees, customers, stockholders and the community.”
Samuel lived in India for six years as a child. In the mostly Hindu country, Samuel was raised as a Christian. His great-great-great-grandfather was a Hindu priest. When his son started questioning the religion, he was outcasted and ended up on the doorstep of an Anglican church. From there, the family has kept its Christian faith. Samuel still makes it a large part of his life today.
Samuel compared his life in India to the blockbuster “Slumdog Millionaire.” He slept with 16 other people on the floor of a one-room shack. They smeared cow dung on the dirt floor to stop the dust from settling on their bodies. With no running water, he had to go the bathroom in a nearby field.
After his family moved to Zambia, Africa, Samuel’s father had bigger dreams for his son. He encouraged Samuel to continue his education. His neighbors had connections to a private liberal arts college in the United States. So at age 17, he left Africa for Messiah College in Pennsylvania with one suitcase and $200 in his pocket. Until then, he had never used silverware.
But Samuel flourished at his new school. He studied accounting with a minor in marketing.
“I am so thankful for (Messiah),” Samuel said. “Without them, I would have never gotten an education.”
Samuel centered his life on the college town after graduating. He met his wife, Jane, at the college, and they raised their five daughters in Pennsylvania, attending church consistently. Samuel also worked as the head of various banks, including starting his own, Graystone Bank, which was acquired by Susquehanna Bank in 2012.
Leading such large operations, many colleagues had questioned why Samuel would leave for the smaller Sunshine Bankcorp in Plant City.
“We really felt God was calling us to come to Sunshine,” Samuel said. “It’s a value-based culture. Integrity, honesty, care, empathy for all constituents … that coupled with performance. … It’s what I do.”
Board Chairman Ray Rollyson and board member Dub McGinnis originally approached Samuel to pick his brain about branding and growing Sunshine State Bank. But, they were intrigued by Samuel’s background. From there, it was up to Samuel to decide whether to make the move.
After much discussion with his wife, they decided the reasons to come outweighed the secular reasons to stay.
In the next five years, Samuel wants to grow the bank by targeting areas in a one-hour radius. A main focus is to keep its headquarters in Plant City and create jobs. Growth, he said, should come organically, with one customer at a time. But there’s also room for strategic acquisitions. Rebranding is another main focus.
“I’m excited about being here,” Samuel said. “Floyd has done a wonderful job and I know they expect me to continue the legacy.”
FLOYD HALL
Hall, who has been with the bank since 1981, will finish the year as an adviser to Samuel during the transition. It didn’t take him long to jump from financial officer to president in 1987.
“There’s always some grooming, but there was nothing we discussed,” Hall said. “I just try and do my job.”
Over the years, Hall can point to one big challenge in the industry: technology.
“The financial landscape is constantly changing,” Hall said. “Technology is constantly changing. The way people bank — Internet banking, ATMs, other than just a branch office.”
Hall bought the first computer that was used in the Plant City office.
“Which now seems like, ‘Are you kidding me?’” Hall said.
Hall is a Plant City native who graduated from Plant City High School. He went on to the University of Florida to study engineering but was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. After his service, he resumed his schooling at the University of Central Florida, switching his major to accounting.
He worked as a CPA before moving over to the banking industry.
In retirement, he is looking forward to spending time with his 2-year-old grandson, Jaxon. He enjoys fishing, reading and sports, particularly college basketball.