Julie Schmelzle, Bank of America senior relationship manager for global commercial banking and a 36-year veteran of the bank, in July became Southwest Florida president and head of market for Bank of America, succeeding Gerri Moll who had the post for 28 years.
Two insights into the 61-year-old’s personality: Bank of America gives 30-year employees a six-week sabbatical. On hers several years ago, she went to Paris and Bordeaux, challenging herself and learning to make the perfect croissant in a two-week pastry school. And on her desk is a painting she acquired at a fundraiser for Youth Haven, a shelter for abused and neglected minors. The painting shows a rainbow-colored house against a sparkling sky. “Whenever I’m having a day — we all have — and I look at that, I think about what she was faced with and how she was still able to paint a rainbow in a home with sparkles in the background,” she says.
In a recent interview with FLORIDA TREND, she talked about how she’s approaching her new role.
FLORIDA TREND: What things have you done to transition into the new role?
Schmelzle: “I’ve been part of a leadership team in Southwest Florida for most of my career. As it was coming to decision-making for me, was this something I was still interested in? Why do I want to do this? How am I going to make an impact over X period of time? I have a running list of all the things that I need to do to make this transition seamless but also respectful. Stepping back, listening, that is absolutely what I’m doing now, and I love that.
I’ll just share a story from last night. There was a surprise recognition of an associate who had been here for 30 years. Probably 60 people there. Here’s a 30-year associate who has dedicated really her entire life to the bank, and everyone adores her. There’s a personal journey for her that everyone was aware of, (but) I wasn’t necessarily aware of. There was hardly a dry eye. It was this beautiful. What kind of connections am I going to make? What kind of impact? How can I help? In one night, that answered it right there in the brand pride, but also about an associate that was so caring, and the 60-plus associates that were there, loving her.
FT: Does someone replace you in global commercial banking? How does that work?
Schmelzle: I’m also still responsible for serving my global commercial bank clients and doing what I need to do there. Gene Schaefer — he’s market president in Dade County (and has) also been my boss over many years — said to me in his usual candor with a bit of humor, it’s not 50-50, it’s not 60-40, it’s 100 and 100, and so to answer that question, it is 100 and 100.
FT: How does life change for you, with the new role?
Schmelzle: We have 450 associates across six business lines in this market. I feel the weight of that many more people that want to be successful, that want to know what’s ahead, that want to be connected. So the emotional part, because I’m a fairly emotional person — that responsibility becomes obviously more prominent, not that it didn’t exist before, but it really does.