(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award).
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Name: Lindsay Tomlinson
Age: 39
Employer: Origin Bank
Title: Director of Deposit Operations, SVP
Hometown: Bastrop
How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: 21 years
Civic-volunteer organizations: I serve on the Executive Board of Directors for the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, a finance committee member of The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, life member and chapter advisor of Junior Auxiliary of Ruston, and a member of The United Way Steamboat Society.
I have had the pleasure of working with Origin Bank for 16 years. I started my career at Origin Bank assisting customers daily in the Banking Center. After 11 years in Retail Banking, I made the change to Operational Services. I still have the pleasure of assisting customers but from a different perspective by assisting our frontline bankers and helping to provide an optimal customer experience.
Jennie Cole, Louisiana Regional Retail Banking Manager at Origin Bank, on Lindsay Tomlinson: Lindsay has served as a member of the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for many years and has made herself available to now serve on the Executive Board of Directors for the Chamber. Lindsay has been instrumental in helping promote and drive interest to our parish for new industry and provides support to our existing businesses to grow and become more invaluable to our citizens. As a Life member and Chapter Advisor for Junior Auxiliary of Ruston, she has led the charge and participated in many projects that impact our Lincoln Parish residents in a positive way. The Christmas Clearinghouse is a project that identifies families in need and provides gifts, food and clothing for families that otherwise would be without for the holidays. Another project that improves the lives of the children in the parish is the Back Pack for Kids Project. Back Packs full of needed school supplies are presented to needy children/families. These are just a couple of examples where Lindsay has been involved in making an impact on the lives of citizens in our community. Lindsay is a strong young woman with great instincts. She manages her team with great confidence and serves also as a great mentor to others. She has a heart for service, whether that is for her community, her team members or her customers. She has an unmatched work ethic and is fully committed to her role at Origin Bank. She manages her team with great compassion and shares her knowledge to grow others.
Q&A with Lindsay Tomlinson:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
Lincoln Parish has an incredible charm that is so unique. We have a community that truly cares about the people and their best interests. Lincoln Parish has maintained a small town feel throughout the growth we have experienced and the growth that is yet to come. I personally feel that Lincoln Parish is the ideal place to not only raise your family, but a place to call home.
My husband, Trent, and I both moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University prior to meeting. Once we married in 2014, the decision was easy that we wanted to make Ruston our forever home. Trent and I both work for great companies that are headquartered in Ruston. We have been blessed with four energetic children who make life interesting to say the least. We have a multitude of friends with similar stories of moving to Ruston for Tech and chose to plant roots in Ruston to work and grow our families. We are members at First Baptist Church of Ruston where we are a part of a great connection group and our children have made many friends.
How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?
I will continue to be involved in volunteering for causes that are making a positive difference in Ruston. I plan to continue my service with the associations I am affiliated with and have plans to get involved with other local groups as well. I have a strong passion for the children and families in Lincoln Parish with a focus on mothers of multiples, NICU support, and infertility. We are fortunate that we have so many organizations within this community who provide support and who work across the parish to improve the lives of our residents.
Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?
I have had many amazing mentors and role models throughout my career. I have worked alongside great leaders in both banking and the non-profit sector. My mentors have all focused on the importance of leading by example and not only by your words as well as learning new skills and sharing your knowledge with others. My direct supervisors throughout the years have played the most pivotal roles in shaping me and coaching me to be a positive, enthusiastic leader.
