At a recent meeting of the Building Champions coaches, we were reflecting on things from our past that made us better.
My mind went to something I had never shared with anyone before, about a huge mistake I made that thankfully had a long-term positive impact on me. I was a sophomore in my first high school football game. I can still remember that moment when the coach looked at me. Since then I have always tried to be ready and keep my head up.
While there are many who could rightly lay claim to the title of “America’s Finest,” such elite stature surely belongs to the US Navy SEALs. The SEALs exude leadership and triumph in difficult situations. The recent Bin Laden raid in Pakistan only added to their mystique.
Last year I read a riveting book, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. Luttrell was part of a four-man mission in Afghanistan. Against all odds, he survived, but the rest of the team unfortunately did not.
Jerry Baker began his career in the management development program at Ford Motor Company, later became a manager of budgets and analysis for Northrop Corporation, then furthered his management development as Deputy Director for the California Department of Commerce when Ronald Reagan was Governor.
He advanced through senior management ranks at Countrywide Financial, becoming Managing Director. He then became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Mortgage Group, a public company. Jerry joined First Horizon in 1998, holding several senior executive positions before becoming President and CEO of First Horizon National Corporation and First Tennessee Bank.
As a member of the Board of Directors Jerry helped to refocus, develop, recruit and lead the company through a tumultuous period. Under his leadership the company had nearly 10 years of double digit growth in returns.