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Thursday, March 28, 2024

In word and deed, bank manager seeks to help fellow immigrants

Helping those who are immigrants to the United States make it financially in their new country is a goal Jose Angel Martinez doesn’t leave to his role as a branch manager at U.S. Bank on the east side of St. Paul.

A native of Mexico who came to the United States 11 years ago, he teaches basic financial literacy at the Mexican Consulate, the Hmong American Partnership, CLUES (Communidades Latinas Unidas en Servico) and the Latino Economic Development Center. and he is a network leader for the nonprofit “Ready 4K” that supports early childhood development.

“Jose Angel understands the challenges that other immigrants to the U.S. face,” said his nominator, Paco Ramirez.

“He serves as an active role model, mentor and coach for young generations,” he added, “and works tirelessly to hire, train and develop new employees from different Southeast Asia countries.

“He holds education in high regard and jumps at any opportunity to inspire young children.”

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MartinezJose Martinez, 42

Company U.S. Bank East St Paul
Title Vice President
Parish St. Charles Borromeo, St. Anthony
Spouse Elizabeth Martinez
Children Isabel (7) and Adam (4)
Volunteer activities St. Paul’s Johnson Junior High School, Teach Children to Save, Second Harvest, Ready 4K, Project for Pride in Living (PPL), Mexican Consulate, Hmong American Partnership, East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC) , Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) and Right Track, among others
Education Bachelor of Arts degree in business management (University of Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico), master’s degree in human and business development (University of Valle de Atemajac, Mexico)


How do you apply your faith and Catholic values at work?

My daily goal is to lead by the example and be impeccable with my thoughts, words and actions.
Despite the obstacles and challenges that our current environment offers I always strive to inspire, motivate, show joy and positive attitude to my family, managers, partners, employees, customers and peers.

Please tell a story about a time when applying your faith at work really made a difference.

I remember three months ago a young couple from Chicago came to our bank to ask for some advice and assistance.

They told me of their dream of creating and starting their own non-profit organization in the Twin Cities. They shared with me their mission, vision, ideas, challenges and needs to start up their own organization corporation.

I took my time to understand and listen to their needs. Then I was able to provide them with my professional recommendations and services from U.S. Bank, which created a tremendous impact on their journey as entrepreneurs. Now they are very successful and running the non-profit organization that they wanted, and now they are able to help young people obtain to get jobs and provide their families with counseling and other social services in the East side of St. Paul.

Who or what has been most inspirational to you in bringing your faith to the marketplace?

Definitely, my mother, Tere, my wife, Elizabeth, and my kids Isabel and Adam.

Also, all my friends, and staff from the parish and school of St. Charles Borromeo are good role models and motivators to me to keep practicing my faith at work.

What achievement at work are you most proud of?

All the thank you letters and cards that I have received for helping people through the years of my career make me feel the most honored special and proud.

In addition, I have fond memories of The 25 on the Rise Leadership Award that I received in 2006 from U.S. Bank and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as all the corporate awards that I have received representing U.S. Bank for the involvement and support we have provide to our community in the Twin Cities. I am also proud of the recognition I have received for achieving top sales goals.

In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?

Every day when I wake up in the morning and when I am in my office and before I start my day, I try to remind myself that I have only one lifetime, including my time at work, so I really focus to invest my time to love, serve and help people. I am pretty sure this is the right path to leave a legacy to my family, peers and friends when I pass away.

What advice do you have for others who want to lead with faith?

We should live our busy lives by practicing and putting our faith and good values first every day, everywhere, to everybody and for every different situation in our lives.
It is important to be mentally, spiritually and physically prepared to overcome our daily obstacles, surrender and serve others.

I always strive to put my own desires aside and put the needs of others first. This can be very hard to do sometimes. I think this is very hard to do, however, someday; somehow, we will be rewarded for that.

 


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