Julia Ruttle appreciates the outdoors and manageable growth.
Certificates in the lobby are from Toys for Tots because of the bank’s involvement there, but Ruttle makes sure the bank helps the community in many areas.
Ruttle recently joined the board of directors at the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce. She has also been involved with the YMCA, Horses with Heart, food banks, food for the homeless, trash pickups and back-to-school supplies for kids. During COVID-19 shutdowns, National Bank provided cleaning supplies for homebound senior citizens.
Ruttle left National Bank of Arizona some years back to work for a competitor, but decided to return because she says the other bank did not have the same commitment to the community. “I’m big into community banks because decisions can be made locally,” she said. “It sets us apart and we can be more involved locally.”
Ruttle is involved with the Women’s Network, which highlights women-owned businesses in the Quad Cities area. She plans to be more active with the Chino Valley and Prescott chambers of commerce. She praises Prescott Chamber President and CEO Sheri Heiney and Interim Chino Valley Chamber Director John Courtis for their work in the community.
As a board member of the Chino Valley Chamber, Ruttle wants to assure that the organization has a budget, that the budget is followed and that the chamber is doing good work. “I want to work in tandem with the community to help businesses and work with the town of Chino.”
Ruttle said the chamber should highlight all the great businesses that Chino Valley has to offer, including gift shops and restaurants. She said the town also needs to do a good job of giving people information who are considering locating here.
“I see the value of being a chamber member and I want others to see that,” she said. “I think we will accomplish a lot of great things. Nobody wants to see crazy growth, but we want manageable growth. We want to provide the knowledge to help visitors do that.”
Early on, Ruttle did not think she would go into banking but found that it has many different facets and enjoys working with both the customers and staff. “I am blessed to have a great team and I am close with them. I also like the diversity of the customers because everyone has a story to tell and I want to hear it.”
One of the most challenging parts of banking, she said, is working with customers who have been victims of fraud. She said the most important way to fight it is to not give out information to people you don’t know. She has seen banking fraud throughout her career and has seen it increase since the pandemic. “We need more resources for seniors. So many are by themselves,” she said.
When she’s not working, Ruttle enjoys spending time with grandchildren and being outdoors, hiking, fishing and hunting. QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
