Alissa Flanagan

age: 28 | Training Specialist | Farmers Bank & Trust

What Alissa Flanagan thought would be a part-time temporary job for her through college has quickly turned into a lifetime banking career. During the last 10 years, she has worked as a part-time teller, member service representative, consumer loan officer, and a few roles in-between. In October 2017, Alissa was offered and accepted a training position at Farmers. She explains, “By June of 2018, I finally started to find my purpose with the Bank. I noticed a need with our teller training program and with help from a few coworkers, I created our Teller Mentor Program, which has now expanded to our Call Center and iTeller departments with plans to expand it to our Retail Banking department this year.”

After a little over a year of assignments, two training courses and a test, Alissa became a Certified Bank Training Professional during May of 2019. “Since then, I planned the Bank’s first ever Bank Wide Training Day and started a Learning to Lead Management Training Series,” she continues.  “I only hope that I can continue to learn and grow and help my coworkers find their potential through learning and development.”

Overcoming a terrible four-wheeler accident at 14 years old is Alissa’s greatest personal accomplishment. After weeks in the hospital and seven surgeries on her right lower leg, she was afraid that she would lose the ability to continue cheerleading and be an active teenager. Thanks in part to a great physical therapist who helped her gain strength in her leg, she was able to continue the activities she loved. “I think that moment is where I learned that I could do anything I set my mind to,” she admits.

As an active member of the Junior League of Texarkana, Alissa serves the women and children of the Texarkana community through various projects. She has also volunteered for other local organizations such as Komen Texarkana, United Way of Greater Texarkana, and Harvest Regional Food Bank.

A girly-girl, Alissa enjoys typical stuff such as shopping and spa days.  She also enjoys spending time with a girlfriend, relaxing with family, and being with her husband, Hunter, and their dogs, “Oakley” and “Roxy.”  They are expecting a baby boy in January and look forward to being parents.

Best piece of advice:

“Focus on your education; it’s something that can never be taken from you.” —Anita Norwood, Alissa’s grandmother

Name something about you that very few people know:

“While it wasn’t my most glamorous pastime, I showed a cow named ‘Ruby Tuesday.’ I quickly learned that I wasn’t a good fit for the livestock world!”