Workplace motivator.
Youth mentor.
Frequent bowtie wearer.
If you know Jimmie Lawrence Jr., you know.
But what you may not know is Lawrence served in the U.S. military for eight years, something he credits with shaping his life, as well as how he leads a large group of Regions Bank branches across the Carolinas and Georgia.
Behind that megawatt smile is someone who takes inspiring his teams and delivering exceptional service very seriously.
Now, in honor of Veterans Day, we visit with – and proudly salute – Regions Bank Consumer Banking manager and U.S. Army veteran Jimmie Lawrence Jr.
During this year’s Evergreen Week, Regions’ Glenwood branch team in Raleigh wore bowties in honor of Lawrence.
On his early days – literally:
“The bus would pick us up at 5:45 a.m. to go to high school – there were some very early mornings,” said Lawrence, a native of Sheldon, S.C. “Cars were not prevalent in a lot of households at that time, and it was a 20-mile drive into town. Our community was pretty much what we had. You didn’t know much outside of your community.”
Why he enlisted:
“I wanted more; I wanted to see the world,” said Lawrence, who joined the U.S. Army immediately after high school. “My sister left for college in Savannah, and I just wanted to see what was out there. I’d been in the U.S. Marine Corps ROTC all through high school.”
The unexpected skill the military taught him:
“The hardest part of basic training was homesickness,” said Lawrence. “I’d never been away from home for any extended time. We didn’t have technology back then, so we had to use payphones and could only call home on Sundays. I got really proficient at letter writing.”
Lawrence played sports with A.G. Boys & Girls Club members during Regions’ 2023 Day of Service.
What the military means to him:
“For me, the Army was more than just a job; it was a transformative experience that set the tone for my life. It was a grueling experience, but it shaped me into a disciplined and determined person.”
On the sacrifices of service:
“I was part of a mechanized (Bradley Tank) infantry unit, and we were always the first to go,” said Lawrence of being stationed in Macedonia for peacekeeping missions to ensure the security and protection of the Serbian border. “I would be deployed for six to nine months or longer, return home for 30 to 45 days, and be redeployed again for another mission or training.
“Families are the true casualties of the sacrifices servicepeople make. They’re essentially single parents when their spouse is deployed. That’s the part that often goes unnoticed.
We endure a lot as servicemen and women – physically, mentally and spiritually. I had frostbite on my first tour. I’d never experienced pain like that in my life. I would have to sit with my feet in cold water in a tub just to get relief from the pain.”
The military lessons he still applies today:
“Responsibility, resilience and teamwork – those are words I carry close to my heart … The Army’s strength is in the will and determination of its people. I think about the strength of my leadership abilities and how it relates to our teams and the company marching forward toward the future. My service also inspires me to reflect on my overall legacy and commitment – my commitment to my family, my community, my team. It’s about having an unwavering dedication to those aspects in my life.”
Lawrence celebrates a team member’s success (left) and frequently partners with Commercial Banking executive and Charlotte market executive Thad Walton.
Words that inspire him:
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
–Mahatma Ghandi
“That’s one of my favorite sayings I hold close to me,” said Lawrence. “I’m not looking for anyone else to make me better; I’m responsible for making myself better.”
How Lawrence inspires others:
“Jimmie is respectful, approachable and positive – he always has a positive, ‘We can do this’ attitude,” said Nancy Lancaster, Glenwood branch manager in Raleigh. “I never feel like I have something I cannot share with him. And I feel he respects what everyone brings to the table and treats every person in a manner you would want your grandmother treated.”
The best part of banking:
“I love the people part of it – the customers and managing teams,” said Lawrence. “When I sit with a customer and complete a Regions Greenprint®, it helps them break from their old financial habits. Going back to the discipline of the military, I’m giving you a roadmap to help you get on the right path with your finances. People say, ‘I’m now able to start saving for my kids’ college or to buy my first home.’ You can see that financial journey unfold. I take so much joy in that.”
Another source of joy:
Lawrence’s family. “I’m my mom’s only son and the middle child,” he said. “My wife Nikki and I have been together for 26 years and married for 23. We have four children – two sons and two daughters, along with two granddaughters.”
“I’m looking at life through more mature eyes, with more wisdom now. My faith is strong and I’m just happy for life and to see it.”