The new manager of the Stockmen's Bank is pleased to rejoin his friends and family in the Gila Valley.

Safford native Ken Crockett recently moved back to Safford to take on the role of bank manager. The former Bulldog and Eastern Arizona College student loves the Gila Valley for its wide-open spaces and its "friendly and helpful" people.

"I think there's lots of growth and potential in this area," he said. Ken said he enjoys the face-to-face service offered by the Stockmen's Bank. "It's a different brand of banking," he said. The Spanish-speaking finance veteran has 32 years of experience with Arizona banks, including management experience with three banks. Ken started his career as a bookkeeper at the Safford branch of Valley National Bank. His interest in banking was sparked during his youth by his father, who was an accountant, and an uncle, who was a banker. Ken's recently-deceased father, Kenneth Crockett, is why many Gila Valley residents know the Crockett name. Kenneth was the manager of the Safford Growers Cotton Gin for 14 years.

Ken said his primary responsibility as bank manager is to ensure his customers are treated well and supervise the branch employees. He wants customers to be "happy when they come in and happy when they leave."

He said, "If you treat them right, they'll treat you right."

This will not be a problem because of the excellent staff already employed by the branch, Ken said.

Former manager Roland Knox also spoke highly of the staff and attributed his success to their performance as a team.

Ken is aware of the success of his predecessor, who is now the Chief Financial Officer at the Mount Graham Regional Medical Center.

"Roland did an excellent job as manager," he said. "It will be a challenging job to follow in his footsteps."

Crockett looks forward to diving right into the Gila Valley Community.

"Another challenge will be getting to know the local business people and reacquaint myself with those who I know," he said. Ken said he needs to recognize the needs of local businesses so he can help fulfill them. By doing so, he can do his part in improving the Gila Valley economy and improving the local job market.

Before moving to Safford, he resided in Globe and worked as a bank manager. He was active in the local Rotary Club, served on the local hospital's foundation board, and worked as the District Chairman for the Boy Scouts' Gila District.

"I look forward to being involved with the community," Ken said.

This avid cyclist also enjoys seeing much of the community and the wilderness from atop his mountain bike. Ken regularly challenges himself with tough inclines and long rides. He said he has ridden from Globe to the Gila Valley on two occasions and may try to ride to Duncan later this year. Ken said he enjoyed attempting the 3,000-foot uphill ascent from Globe to Winkelman on a regular basis.

When asked how he survives these rides in the summer heat, he replied that he starts the treks at around 4:45 a.m.

So if you happen to see your local bank manager pedaling around town this summer, give him a friendly wave and a smile.

To contact John Kamin, call 428-2560 (ext. 240) or e-mail him at johnk@eacourier.com.