HI, MY NAME IS… Kyle McMillian.
I’VE LIVED IN PEORIA FOR SEVEN YEARS AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE… Peoria is a growing community that has everything my family and I need. We love the schools, food, and retail options, and the beautiful parks and community activities that are available to us.
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… my mornings typically start with school drop-off duty for my two kids. From there, I spend my workday identifying businesses with lending needs through my work as a senior vice president commercial banking officer at UMB Bank. After work hours, I am usually taking my kids to sports or helping out with one of the local philanthropic organizations I support in the community. If I’m not doing that, I am usually riding my Peloton or working off stress through exercise.
MY FAMILY IS… my wife, Cari, my daughter, Avery, and my son, Frank. My wife and I are originally from Kansas City and moved to Arizona in 2008, so we are the only family we have here in the state. My kids have given meaning to everything I do and bring so much excitement and fulfillment to my life by living their lives. We are super close!
ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… my cellphone. Whether it is to reach my family, business, or as a part of my community involvement, connectivity is important.
MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY IS… “Happy Gilmore.” It’s hilarious, rewatchable, and has great one-liners, but it also reminds viewers that even as serious as things are, it’s important to have a laugh every once in a while.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… a professional athlete, but size genetics prevented me. I also wanted to be a pharmacist but ultimately decided on finance because of my love for numbers.
THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KARAOKE NIGHT IS… “Ring of Fire,” or another track from Johnny Cash. His songs are usually three minutes or less, so I can quickly hop on and off stage and use a deep baritone voice.
THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME IS… this is a hard question, but family is a key motivator for me. I also like to find motivation through my customers, as I want to see their success, as well as through my involvement in the community, as I work with nonprofit teams to support a cause.
THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… probably something I said. My family says I always laugh at my own jokes and my daughter is 10 years old and at the age of finding parents kind of embarrassing, so it was most likely something hysterical I said to make her laugh.
THE PERFECT DAY IS… for me, the perfect day means exploring within Arizona or traveling somewhere new with my family. Hanging out with my kids and helping with their activities is another part of my perfect day. I recently had the opportunity to be an assistant coach for my son’s baseball team, where I got to see him grow and improve while sharing my love for sports with the other kids in the community.
MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… Fiesta Bowl Charities. Through my involvement in the organization, I have been introduced to powerful initiatives like the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program, which provides $2,500 classroom grants to 500 teachers across Arizona for a total of $1.25 million. As a parent with kids in school, you realize you can never repay a good teacher for the value they are giving your kids. The Palo Verde Wishes for Teachers program was designed to honor the rockstars in the community who are doing great work and provide the funding for educators who are building our future leaders. The organization goes beyond the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl to make a difference in the community, and it is an honor to serve as a member of the Yellow Jacket Committee.
MY LIFE IS… organized chaos. While my days are busy from start to finish, I always manage alongside the great team that I have around me at home and at work.
THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS… the birth of my kids was the best gift. There are no words to describe what it’s like to introduce them into your life.
MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE… I would love to visit Czech Republic to learn more about my heritage. I would also love to travel anywhere in Europe. My wife and I love international travel but traded in our trips to the Mediterranean for trips to the amusement park with our kids. We love it, but also look forward to traveling the world as a family soon.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS… from my dad, who reminded me that you must be willing to outwork others to achieve your goals. And another great word of advice is to smile. It is a simple way to pick yourself up and brighten someone’s day.
