The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals welcomed Mark Harrington, President and CEO of OMB Bank, to its Local Leadership Series on March 24. Harrington’s engaging conversation offered attendees a candid look into his leadership journey, career reflections, and personal experiences that have shaped his perspective.
Harrington’s journey started on a farm in Miller, Missouri. His early experiences hauling hay and working cattle instilled a strong work ethic. After studying economics in college, he navigated the competitive world of banking during a period of industry consolidation. Despite facing initial setbacks, his persistence and entrepreneurial spirit led him to found and grow OMB Bank — now valued at $1.8 billion in assets. Reflecting on his beginnings, Harrington shared, “I wanted to get into banking, but I couldn’t really get interviews at first. Looking back, I was green and inexperienced — but those early jobs taught me resilience.”
With each opportunity, Harrington learned the importance of workplace culture in business success. At OMB Bank, cultivating a positive environment has been a key priority. “We provide a place where people love to work,” he said. “Good culture not only reduces turnover, but it also creates long-term success.”
Part of that culture includes empowering young professionals and giving back to the community. When asked about his approach to giving back, Harrington recalled a pivotal conversation with a young professional who questioned the bank’s community involvement. “I was so busy focusing on the business side that it hadn’t occurred to me that we needed to focus on how we were serving our community,” he admitted. “That conversation changed my perspective.”
Much like that conversation, lessons learned on the farm as well as on the job influenced his leadership style. Trust, he noted, has been a fundamental pillar of his leadership success. “It’s better to occasionally be cheated than to trust no one,” he said. While this approach has sometimes led to challenges, he maintained that trust remains a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy.
Looking ahead to 2025, Harrington is focused on raising capital, expanding the bank’s impact, and continuing to serve the community. “Our maximum is limited only by what we can do in our community,” he remarked.
Offering advice to young professionals, he reminded attendees that career growth is a marathon, not a sprint. “You’ll stumble, but just keep plugging away,” he said. “Some of the smartest, hardest-working people I know haven’t always been the most successful — sometimes, there’s a little luck involved too.”
The Network’s Local Leadership Series continues to provide valuable opportunities for Springfield’s young professionals to connect with established leaders, gain insight, and grow their careers. Stay tuned for future events that foster leadership development and strengthen our community.
Thank you to our 2025 Program Sponsor, OMB Bank, and our 2025 Local Leadership Series Presenting Sponsor:
