8BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL FRIDAY , OCTOBER 14 , 2016
INNACLE
By : Zach Rinkins
Antonio Coley
From 1992 through 1997 , Antonio “ Tony ” Coley was a member of the University of Miami linebacker core once known for terrifying Division I offenses . As president of BBT South Florida , the Miami Gardens-na�ve traded the locker room for the execu�ve suite . He has not , however , forfeited his compe��ve spirit .
“ I saw how coaches mo�vated people to perform and held them accountable . I also saw how we had fun when we were
XECUTIVE SUITE
By : Richard McCulloch
Growing up in the Bronx , NY can either break you or make you . The Tony Wallace story shows that the difference between vic�miza�on and victory is all about drive and a work ethic
Tony Wallace founded on the concept : “ Success is the only op�on .”
Born and raised in a bicultural household which blended Jamaican and Puerto Rican heritages , Wallace ’ s earliest influences were his Catholic faith and educa�on . The authority and discipline offered in church and school were supplemented by a loving and hands-on grandmother who required excellence and ambi�on from all genera�ons that succeeded her . As Wallace fondly remembers ; “ You never wanted to be the one at our dinner table that was not achieving something in your life .” These standards and expecta�ons were nurtured
Former UM Linebacker Named BBT Bank Florida President
successful ,” Coley shares . “ I use that playbook . I see myself as a coach . I work hard running the play and crea�ng an environment for my team to succeed .” A�er gradua�ng from UM , Coley started a progressive banking career that included two years at SunTrust Bank , eight years with Wells Fargo banking en��es , more than two years leading Colonial Bank ’ s commercial business , and over seven years with his current employer , BB & T Bank . He spent most of his career serving South Florida ’ s business banking clients , except for a two-year s�nt in Sarasota . Unlimited growth opportuni�es a�racted him to banking .
“ Banking is an industry where you can be as successful as you want to be . I encourage people of color to consider jobs in this industry ,” he offers .
During his nearly two-decade career , Coley developed a reputa�on for intercep�ng low-performing environments and transforming them into marquee areas . The former Academic All-Star a�ributes his team ’ s success to ten principles he calls the 10 P ’ s , featuring quali�es from performance to passion .
“ You have to surround yourself with the
Tony Wallace : Food for Thought on Educa�on
by his ac�ve involvement in the Boy Scouts ; and their mo�o “ Be Prepared ” served as a compass to navigate the unpredictability that life o�en presents .
Life ’ s unpredictability brought Tony and his family to St . Augus�ne , Florida in 1972 . As his father began to cra� a career in foodservice and hospitality , the younger Wallace got involved as well . The introduc�on to Culinary Arts prompted Wallace to head further south to Miami , and eventually serve as an execu�ve chef and part owner of a restaurant in South Beach .
The seasonality of tourism and compe��on forced Wallace to seek a supplemental living . When a friend solicited his help in student recruitment for a Cosmetology-based voca�onal school , Wallace discovered that he had a gi� for mo�va�ng students and immediately saw the value in voca�onal educa�on and skills training .
“ Years ago , the government sponsored more technical schools . High School programs featured lots of trades ” observes Wallace . Trade and skills training filled a workforce gap in the country . As Wallace points out “ Not everyone is suited for a right people and you have to make sure you are networking and prospec�ng so you can grow your business ,” he reveals . “ It is important to have a posi�ve a�tude if you want to perform at a high level . I also hold my leadership team accountable for having posi�ve interac�ons with clients and employees .”
Coley emphasizes , “ Processes are cri�cal . Every successful team that I have seen has consistent processes that they execute regularly .” Tips to make your business a�rac�ve to banks
The Miami-na�ve addressed one of the biggest challenges facing Black-owned business : lack of access to capital .
“ People must understand that we , as banks are not investors ,” Coley asserts . “ We are financiers .”
He explains the difference : “ An investor invests in an idea . A financier finances a business that is already running . Banks finance your next acquisi�on or help you buy a piece of equipment for an already proven idea .”
Coley con�nues , “ Investors own a piece of your company and par�cipate in the upside of your business . As bankers , we
four year college .” This educa�on reality helped focus his career as a student recruitment and admissions specialist for career-focused postsecondary educa�on ins�tu�ons around the country .
As his career in educa�on evolved , so did his a�en�on to the importance of connec�ng educa�on programs to career paths . With career op�ons changing with the frequency of advancing technology , Wallace worked with ins�tu�ons to ensure that they were mee�ng the needs that prepared students for viable employment opportuni�es . “ We needed to focus on programs that met labor demand ” according to Wallace . It would not be long before Florida Technical College recognized his exper�se and brought him back to the state that had become his second home .
As the Vice President of Marke�ng and Admissions for Florida Technical College , Wallace has leveraged his experience and passion for educa�on to provide oversight for the student recruitment efforts at the six Florida campuses , including loca�ons in Cutler Bay and Pembroke Pines . Back in the Sunshine State , Wallace has spent much of his �me evalua�ng the needs of today ’ s college students and guidance is at the top don ’ t have equity . We only rent you the money at an interest rate .”
The long�me bank execu�ve offers these �ps to make your business bankable .
Develop a Track Record : “ History is the best predictor of future results . Banks seldom finance ideas . If you have been successful for two years , then we have something to build on and possibly finance . But , you must demonstrate an ability to perform .”
Record Business Developments : “ Handle your business . Track your finances , income statements , and progress . Now , you are bankable .”
Maximize Credit : “ Unfortunately some of us have not managed our credit properly . If you have poor credit it is much harder to get over that hump .”
Develop Banking Rela�onships “ Bankers are people just like everybody else . We want to help people and lend money a�er you meet certain requirements . I like to help people get to the next step . So , if you don ’ t meet the requirements , find out what you can do to get there . Then , keep in touch and try again as you progress .”
For more information , www . BBT . com .
of his list .
No�ng the diminished involvement of parents in primary and secondary educa- �on , Wallace offers this ; “ Young people , especially in minority communi�es need mentors .” These are not just words to Wallace , but an impera�ve that he prac�ces as the proprietor of the Wallace Grill in Clermont , Florida and Gavioto , his new restaurant opening in downtown Orlando . Maintaining balance between his leadership role at Florida Technical College and running a successful restaurant requires that he rely on people . “ I have managers that never managed before but they had people skills and I was able to teach them the business skills . You spot talent and mentor that talent .”
From Educa�on to Entrepreneurship , Tony Wallace has leveraged his past to forge a present that balances two careers , while offering opportuni�es to success-driven individuals focused on building a future in which they are prepared to do more in an effort to become more .
Richard McCulloch is the VP of Client Services at Tribeca Marketing Group and former Higher Education administrator .