Bibiana Gomez

Bibiana Gomez

Category: News

Bibiana Gomez, Commercial Team Administrator in Tampa, Receives Regions Bank’s Top Associate Honor

New U.S. citizen inspires others to pursue their American dream  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Regions Bank today announced that Bibiana Gomez, a Commercial Banking Relationship Team Administrator, is the September 2016 recipient of the Regions Bank Better Life Award. The Better Life Award is the top honor given to a Regions associate for outstanding dedication and job performance as well as exemplary involvement and commitment to the community.

Gomez is originally from Bogota, Colombia. She moved to Alabama in 2000 as an international student at Jacksonville State University. This past June, Gomez became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

“I’ve lived here for 16 years, waiting for that moment and it finally came,” Gomez said. “The first time I sang the National Anthem, the meaning of every word rang true. The meaning of every word of the Pledge of Allegiance came alive the first time I said it, and the meaning of every word of my oath. The moment I was given that certificate of citizenship was among the proudest in my life.”

Gomez is also proud of her work as a mentor with Tampa’s Hispanic Professional Women’s Association (HPWA), a nonprofit organization devoted to enhancing the image of Hispanic women, sharing knowledge and promoting the value of higher education. Regions is donating $1,000 to HPWA on Gomez’s behalf.

“There is a great need to help professionals who come here from other countries, but have to take low-paying jobs because they don’t speak English,” Gomez said. “Through HPWA, we connect Hispanic women to resources to help them enhance their professional development opportunities here in America.”

Gomez is a member of the advisory board of the Ana G. Mendez University, past-president of the Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Leadership Tampa class of 2017. She also volunteers as a Junior Achievement instructor and a girls’ mentor at Academy Prep School.

A video about Gomez can be viewed on the Regions Financial YouTube channel.

About The Better Life Award

The Better Life Award is presented monthly to a Regions associate who lives the company’s mission to make life better for customers, associates and the communities Regions serves, and who is an example of the company’s values:

  • Put People First
  • Do What Is Right
  • Focus On Your Customer
  • Reach Higher
  • Enjoy Life

Regions associates are nominated for the award by their managers and peers. Regions Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Grayson Hall honors recipients at the company’s headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., at a meeting broadcast to offices throughout the communities Regions serves. In addition to the recognition, associates who earn the Better Life Award receive an additional week of vacation, a crystal award, and a $1,000 donation is made in their name to the non-profit organization of their choice.