by Kate Sanchez

After 26 years, one of the best at JP Stone Community Bank is retiring. Judy Clark, Vice President/Branch Manager at the Clovis location is set to retire January 1, 2020.

Although Clark has been there for a long time, her start at the bank was in fact, a coincidental one. “I called David Stone to see if I could use him as a reference for another job I was applying for,” Clark shares, “He and I have slightly different versions of how the conversation went, but I remember him saying, ‘Why don’t you come to work for the bank?’” With previous banking experience under the guidance of Mr. Douglas Stone at the Portales National Bank, Clark says she never expected to go back in that direction, however, she did end up going to work as David Stone’s assistant, and she’s been with the company ever since.

Although she claims she knew very little about loans, Clark began her work at the bank and was steadfast in her learning of lending, all the while loving the challenge and people. “As the years passed, I got the opportunity to start making residential loans and started making loans under my initials,” she says. In 2000, the bank decided to open its first branch in Clovis and Clark was offered the chance to do so. Although smaller than some, the Clovis location has a wonderful staff, and Clark says it’s, “…one of the best kept secrets in Clovis.”

While looking forward to her retirement, Clark has certainly left a mark on the bank and those who have encountered her smiling face. “Banking has been so good to me and I have met so many great people,” she says, “My favorite memories are the customers who became successful; the ones who just needed a hand up!”

Clark plans to travel as much as possible after her retirement at the first of the year, especially to locations where she can see lots of golf courses, as it’s her favorite sport. She also hopes to spend more time with her grandchildren, as well as following in her mom’s footsteps in making a few quilts in her “spare time”.

A retirement party is planned for December 19th from 1-3pm in honor of Clark’s time with the bank. It will take place at JP Stone Community Bank, located at 901 Colonial Parkway, in Clovis. We hope that everyone attends as a thank-you to one of the very best, as well as congratulating her on the upcoming retirement!