NICHOLAS PUCCIA

DEDICATED. FUNNY. ENTHUSIASTIC.

Current Business & Job Title: Teller, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company
Hometown: Ogdensburg, New York
Age: 39
Education: High School: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology SUNY Potsdam 2005
Community Involvement: Helped organize and took part in various campaigns to raise food and gather toys for the community during the holiday seasons. I also help to promote the Adirondack Coast and gather donations for Elmore SPCA.

World-wide, Disney is known as the Gold Standard in customer experience. It is no wonder that Nick Puccia’s talents and skills have been partially honed through his training as a Cast Member/Intern at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. New to the banking field, his 24 years in restaurants and retail has proven to be a natural career segue.

How do you contribute to the culture of your company?
Using my 24 years of customer service experience, I strive to make the bank a positive environment for both fellow employees and customers alike.

What are you doing to make a diff erence in your community?
The most important thing I do to make a difference to my community, I believe, is just being there for my customers, and other community members, whether it’s sharing a joke, listening to their troubles, or just being present when they need someone. I think those positive actions have the biggest effect on our community.

What is the single most important characteristic for success?
Drive. If you don’t have the drive to do something, you won’t be successful.

What is your biggest professional success?
At a previous job, I was recognized by my fellow coworkers and by our corporate office as Supervisor of the Year twice.

What important lesson have you learned in your career?
If you work hard, and are kind, amazing things will happen.

What is your dream job?
I always wanted to be a history teacher, but my secret dream job is to be a tractor trailer driver.

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Switching careers from something I spent 23 years doing (retail and restaurant management) and going into banking, which was completely new to me.

What is something that no one would guess about you?
While I am an avid hiker and kayaker, I am absolutely terrified of heights and deep water.

Write a note to your younger self…
Don’t give up! Keep on chugging along and it will be worth it in the end, and don’t be
afraid to be yourself.

What can the North Country do to make this region more appealing to a younger generation?
A thriving job market is most important and then opportunities for entertainment. Between Clinton, Franklin, and St. Lawrence Counties there are seven colleges that attract the younger generation, so I think if we had more venues for concerts/theatre/comedy shows it would be a big draw.