For 20 years, Glenn Davis has actively been involved in non profit charities as a board member, volunteer, etc. When business at his branch took off, the team asked themselves what they could do to help those who needed it most in their community.
The give back effort started with a donation to an individual or family each quarter, which turned into a closed borrower being selected each month to donate $500 to a cause/charity of their choice. The Benchmark Give Back program continued to evolve as Glenn’s team chose to call on a charity every 6 weeks and ask “what do you need?”
“It’s fun to help people!” exclaimed Davis. “We ordered 200 Dr. Seuss books and gave them to a pediatric group for the kids.”
Glenn shared the enjoyment his team feels when they give back to organizations that support children in need. Partnering with Magic, Making a Great Investment in Children, they were able to give backpacks to kids who needed supplies. “It’s the right and good thing to do,” said Davis.
In 1998, Davis’ career in the mortgage industry began at a boutique agency until a sell of occurred in 2010. Since Davis isn’t a “larger corporate, national kind of guy,” he went to another boutique agency. Again, the company was sold off, and he gave the “corporate world” a try for two years.
“After the first year, I felt like I was on the verge of either having a stroke or a heart attack,” said Davis. “This isn’t working for me.”
Seven years ago, Davis was introduced to Benchmark President, Jim McMahan, and the rest is history.
“It’s been marital bliss ever since,” said Davis. “I love Benchmark. It’s a great company. Wonderful people. Fantastic culture.”
Davis met Nora Mathews, his administrative assistant, while serving on the board of an organization founded by a friend of theirs who began a fundraising run after his daughter and wife were killed in a car accident. She came to work with Glenn a few years ago organizing files. Since then, she has found her stride as a client concierge and runs point on the branch give back program.
The Flemington, NJ branch consists of Tara Sullivan, Operations Manager/Processor, Shelby Bonetti Junior Processor, and Kathy Guzman is a contractor who handles public relations and social media.
“Giving back to the community is the best thing I do in my job,” said Davis.
The branch hosted a ‘Benchmark Bash’ for past clients and referral sources recently. They also plan to partner with a prominent family in the community to host a toy drive during the holidays.
“I actually enjoy giving much more than I enjoy receiving,” said Davis. “I always have. I’ve always donated to church, or a family in need. Working the soup kitchen for Thanksgiving. I’ve always done something.”