Unsure of his career path, Stephen Lamanna knew a Bachelor of Science in Business Management would open a broad selection of job possibilities. To his surprise and gratitude, it turned out to be the perfect degree to furnish his now 23 years in the banking industry.
Born and raised in Amherst County, Lamanna has always felt at home in the greater Lynchburg area. Following his college tenure at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Lamanna immediately delved into a career in banking and earned a spot within the ranks of BB&T, soon to be called Truist. And even after 23 years, Lamanna has not looked back.
“To work for an organization for that period of time, I think your personal core values need to align with that of the company’s core values,” Lamanna said. “And that’s absolutely the case here. We fully believe in honesty, integrity, and teamwork in this institution, and of course we have a strong commitment to our community.”
For nearly two decades, he served in a variety of roles within the company, starting out as a market leader and working his way up to small business development officer, Vice President, and now Market President, where he oversees commercial operations in the City of Lynchburg, Campbell County, Amherst County, Bedford County, and other surrounding localities. He is also involved with the organization’s community involvement, which includes grant applications.
Community involvement is perhaps the most fulfilling component of Lamanna’s career. His efforts through the Truist Foundation have given thousands of dollars to worthy causes in Lynchburg and the surrounding areas. Such organizations include United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, Daily Bread, Jubilee Center, and many others.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do,” he said. “We’re a direct representation of the communities that we serve, so we have to commit to contributing where we can to help the foundational needs of the community. … I am a businessperson, and I conduct business with the companies here in Lynchburg, but to know that we have that broader, personal vision that we accomplish on a regular basis, is a blessing.”
At press time in late 2021, BB&T now Truist was in the final stages of its merger. Systems, signs, and logos will fully transition in February 2022.
“This is the only company, although the name has changed a couple times, I’ve worked for since graduating college, and I’m very proud to say that,” Lamanna said. “There’s pride in looking back on your time that you spent committed to an organization, and in turn is committed to you. I would love to look back on my career and say that I made a huge difference in my community and that I had a tremendous impact on improving the lifestyle of others in the marketplace.”
