Conversations with George Kimble

Today we’d like to introduce you to George Kimble.

Hi George, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After graduating from high school in 1965, I attended Michigan State University for one and a half years before transferring to Northwood University in Michigan. While at Northwood University, I participated in both varsity football and baseball while earning a scholarship and varsity letters in both sports. Upon graduating from Northwood University with an Associates degree in banking and financing, and a Bachelors degree in Business Management, I also had the honor of setting 7 baseball varsity records.

After graduation, my professional career started with Ernst & Ernst CPA’s in Indianapolis Indiana. After 2 years, I relocated to Midland Michigan and started my banking career with Chemical Bank & Trust. After 10 years as their Senior Internal Auditor, I move to Traverse City Michigan and started working with Gavigan & Burkhart. CPA firm. I then in 1970 joined National Bank of Detroit as their Cashier. I was involved in all the various mergers with First Chicago, Bank One and finally with JP Morgan Chase. In 2009 I relocated to Phoenix Arizona, and after 47 years with these various accounting and banking organizations I retired in December of 2019. Shortly thereafter, in May of 2020 I joined the Maricopa Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) where I am still active today as a Business Analysis. I am currently married to my very special wife, Theresa,(Terri) and together we have 4 wonderful children and 10 beautiful grandchildren between us.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the 47 years of my professional career, I have encountered several different employment status due to job downsizing, bank failures, and various other business related issues. Overall, having a strong faith and belief in God, I have always risen to a better environment and job opportunities. Also, moving from Northern Michigan to Phoenix Arizona in December was a challenging (yet positive) time for us.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently a Business Analyst working full time for the Maricopa Community College in Phoenix Arizona with the Small Business Development Center, or more commonly known as the SBDC. As a Business Analyst I provide no cost counseling services to new start up business, business who want to grow and scale their business to the next level, or businesses wanting to either sell or acquire another business. I also conduct special training sessions and programs to assist clients at all levels of their operations.

With my extensive accounting and banking background, I can relate to businesses wanting to obtain funding and to growth their business. I can assist them with the proper procedures and financial documents needed to obtain funding. Knowing how bankers and underwriters think and function, provides me this valuable insight that I can pass on to my clients.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am not usually a risk taker, as having been a conventional accountant and banker for 47 years, I am typically very conversative. As previously mentioned, moving from Northern Michigan in December, trying to sell our house in the mid of winter and moving to Arizona in a matter of 3 weeks, was a bit unnerving.

I think we can all look at risk in different ways. Taking a risk to improve your financial and perhaps social status is something we all can look at if it can better us financially, socially, and perhaps spiritually.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-kimble-630abbb/