Newsmakers 2014: Danny Essner, executive vice president and senior lender at Capaha Bank

Danny Essner, executive vice president and senior lender at Capaha Bank, enjoys the banking business for several reasons.

"As a banker, I love the opportunity to help my customers achieve their financial goals, which can range from buying a new home to starting a new business to building a new apartment building," he says. "I particularly enjoy commercial lending, since it allows me to learn about a wide variety of businesses."

Essner appreciates the opportunity banking gives him to be involved in the community.

"I enjoy working with and being around other individuals who are passionate about their community, and I have made many friends through the involvement in the community that my job facilitates," he says.

Quality of life in Cape Girardeau is a passion for Essner, who spent several years on the Cape Park Board and who was instrumental in bringing The Great Race to Cape Girardeau.

"These (events) provide an opportunity for us to showcase our community, particularly our downtown and Broadway corridor, and to provide entertainment for both the folks who live in Cape and those from the surrounding area," he says.

Essner is looking forward to two unique events in Cape Girardeau in 2014: the National Corvette Caravan on Aug. 26 and the Motorcycle Cannonball on Sept. 9.

Essner says the most satisfying part of his work is taking care of his customers.

"My goal is to provide a high level of personal service every single day," he says. "I feel that good service has multiple components, including being accessible, being responsive, being knowledgeable, being friendly and treating people with respect. I personally like to do business with people who provide me with that level of service."

Essner is a member of Cape Rotary Club, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Cape Park and Recreation Foundation Board, Cape Area Magnet Board and St. Vincent's Church.

--Lori Trepasso