Zach Sensabaugh
Community President and Vice President of Regional Banking , Huntington Bank
JEAN HARDIMAN TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Sensabaugh pictured in front of Keefer Powersports .
Zach Sensabaugh , community president and vice president of regional banking at Huntington Bank , loves meeting new business owners and helping them make their dreams come true .
“ I work with business owners to help them meet their goals , whether through start-up , expansion or transition planning ,” he says . “ I love how I get to interact with so many different types of entrepreneurs and be part of projects that make an impact on our community and state .”
For Sensabaugh , there is no greater thrill than helping a business owner bring an idea to fruition , watching them achieve success and ultimately hire local people who can also have success . Despite his love for his work , Sensabaugh did not see a banking career coming .
“ I regularly tell people , if you would have told me 15 years ago that I would end up in banking as my career , I would have said you ’ re crazy ,” he says . “ I wasn ’ t great at math . I hated dressing up . I never wanted a desk job , and I was very introverted .”
He grew up on the West Side of Charleston , WV and was one of four siblings . Three were adopted , including himself , by his father , attorney Don Sensabaugh , and mother , Sheryl , who managed the household .
“ As an adopted child , I have been very blessed with the opportunities I have been given ,” he says .
Sensabaugh loved sports growing up , primarily swimming , gymnastics , soccer and tennis . He graduated from Capital High School in 2004 and from West Virginia University in 2008 . While in college , he started a job at an auto parts store .
“ Through this job , I developed my interest in sales to businesses ,” he says . “ This led me to be recruited by a car dealership for business-to-business sales , then ultimately into banking .”
He had his sights on commercial banking but started as a teller . He then transitioned to personal banking . Around the one-year mark at the first bank he worked at , Sensabaugh was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch his career forward by several years when he was offered his current role at Huntington Bank .
“ My drive and motivation stood out to my boss , and for that reason I was hired ,” he says . “ I still remember getting the call from my mom when I accepted the role and her saying , ‘ You know you ’ re going to have to go out and talk to people , right ?’”
Sensabaugh also volunteers for several organizations . He served as a member of the board and on the Emerging Leaders Steering Committee for United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties . He continues to volunteer for various efforts throughout the year , including the holiday food and toy drive . He ’ s also a member of the Rotary Club of Cheat Lake and serves on the board of directors for the Morgantown Area Partnership , supporting economic growth in the area .
While Sensabaugh appreciates the countless opportunities he has received in his professional life , he is most grateful for his wife , Ali .
“ Ali is also very career driven and involved in the community ,” Sensabaugh says . “ Being in a role that requires after-hours and weekends at times , I greatly appreciate having a life partner who gets it and is supportive of my career and all that it takes to be successful .”
In his free time , Sensabaugh enjoys the beauty of his home state , getting out on a golf course and going with Ali to Cheat Lake to watch their dogs swim and chase sticks .
“ West Virginia is home to me ,” he says . “ I see so much opportunity here to help the people I consider to be my closest friends and family .” •
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ?
food :
Sushi
west virginia location :
Cheat Lake
season :
Fall
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