Photo of Chris Pratt

May 01, 2023

The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to helping a valued institution grow presented an exciting challenge and drew Chris Pratt to Buckeye Community Bank. A long banking career has given Pratt a deep understanding of local business and banking that he can use to identify and leverage growth opportunities.

The support Pratt has received from Buckeye colleagues and collaborators has been encouraging, he said. His experience gives Buckeye a fresh perspective on operations and strategies that drive innovation.

Buckeye’s people, culture, values and goals have impressed him.

“Upon first meeting Buckeye Community Bank’s leaders, I could see how passionate they were about seeing local businesses and the community flourish. I knew I wanted to be part of a team working hard to build long-lasting relationships that support the local economy,” Pratt said. “Great community banks like Buckeye play such a crucial role in the development of their community. I find it rewarding to be part of a group motivated to make life better for the businesses and people in the market where they are based.”

His proven track record of success in business development and years of experience make Pratt an invaluable asset to the Buckeye team. In his role, he is responsible for fostering relationships with local business owners and promoting Buckeye’s products and services. The challenges that business owners face are unique, and Pratt has worked with businesses of all sizes.

An essential component of his organizational success is working across varied departments. By establishing clear communication and working to understand everyone’s goals and priorities, he will build trust and relationships.

“With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Chris Pratt is a valuable addition to the Buckeye Community Bank team,” said Buckeye President and CEO Ben Norton. “We believe his contributions to support our clients and local businesses by raising awareness of the advantages Buckeye offers will have a great impact.”

Pratt, a graduate of the University of Akron, and his wife, Kelsey, have three school-aged children. The couple, who enjoy traveling, are kept busy with the kids’ activities and youth sports.