Introduction
Chad Loar is a key player in the local economy. He’s regional president for west and central Florida for PNC Bank, one of the largest retail banks in Tampa Bay, overseeing 86 branches and 925 employees. After 18 years in Tampa Bay, it's no surprise that he was selected this year's chair of the St. Pete EDC, in a succession of impressive leadership since the organization's founding in 2015. At the St. Pete EDC, Loar partners with the City and Chamber to attract, retain and grow St. Pete's businesses. Loar is also deeply engaged in the Tampa Bay Partnership, a C-suite organization that advocates for transformative change in Tampa Bay. Loar co-chairs the Tampa Bay Partnership’s Transportation Working Group, which is backing a proposed bus rapid transit system that would connect Wesley Chapel to downtown St. Pete.
Years in St. Pete
I’ve been in St. Petersburg for close to 5 years now, I’ve been in the Tampa Bay region as a whole for 18 years.
Organizations involved in
I’ve been involved in various organizations over my 18 years in Tampa Bay. Two organizations that I’m really engaged in are the St. Pete EDC and the Tampa Bay Partnership. I’m in my second year serving as the co-chair for our transportation committee. A lot of folks have probably heard about the 41-mile BRT from downtown St. Petersburg to Pasco County and Wesley Chapel through Tampa.
I’m the 2019 chair of the EDC, spearheading the investor relationship committee.
What gets you out of bed every day?
Two young boys with a smile on their face when they come into our room. My wife’s the early riser in our family so it’s usually the two boys and her. But it’s because of them and because of this great community that gets me out of bed. I have the opportunity working with PNC Bank and leading our efforts here in this community. They enable me to help foster and build our community, get engaged in our community. We plan on being here a long term, my wife is a judge right here in downtown St. Petersburg and our boys are five and four. We love this community and we want to see it continue to thrive.
Why St. Pete?
Why not St. Pete? 768 consecutive days of sunshine. It’s a thriving business community, it’s a great place to visit. We have three of the top 10 beaches – right here in this vicinity – in the country. We have plenty of entertainment and tourism opportunities. I absolutely love and am enthralled and honored to live in this area.
What is one habit that you keep?
I started doing this early in my career – completing my daily to-do list. I’m a fanatic about accomplishing what I need to do on my to-do list and I don’t finish my day until it’s completed. That to-do list continuously changes and it ultimately holds me accountable for making sure I’m being there for my family. I have a busy career and so does my wife. It ensures that I’m spending time with my boys, it ensures that I’m getting out to the different geographical markets that I cover. That to-do list is like my little personal bible.
Who are some people that influence you?
I’ve never had one mentor. I’ve had many folks who have influenced me. I’m an avid reader, I read books on leadership and history. Jack Welch, General Patton, both of my grandfathers.
What is one piece of insight - a book, methodology, practice - that you would share with our readers?
Books: Dale Carnegie – How to Win Friends and Influence People and The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your work 3 years ago?
That I was going to be in this position that I’m in now. If I look back three years ago, I was 3-3.5 years with PNC. I managed our commercial and corporate banking and I was just in the trenches, head down building that out and traveling the state trying to hire the right people and win the right clients. Six months later, I got the promotion. I think I could have been a little more ready, it was definitely a whirlwind the first year afterwards.
What’s next?
I don’t know, I’m extremely happy with what I’m doing now. As I mentioned, we plan on living in the Tampa Bay region long-term. Keep building the PNC’s brand, hiring the right folks. So that’s what’s on my mind.
