Introducing the U.S. ViVa Award nominees
This summer, BBVA launched the first edition of the BBVA Values Global Recognition Program. It’s a special recognition designed to reward employees who best represent BBVA’s Values: The Customer Comes First, We Think Big, and We Are One Team. The awards are called the ViVa Awards.
Each country in which BBVA has a presence nominated three individuals who exemplify those Values, with six overall winners—two for each Values category—honored with the global award. Here, we’re spotlighting the incredible work and spirit of our U.S. nominees.
Carrie Kim, “Customer Comes First”
Role
Operations Manager; Business Development; Austin, Texas
Years of service
6
Why she was nominated
“Carrie goes above and beyond to address issues in a timely manner to make things as smooth as possible for customers,” said nominating manager, Telephone Channel Operations Manager Teri Moss. “She remains calm and focused on finding solutions for customers, even in the midst of high volumes of work and constant change.”
Values in action
When Hurricane Maria resulted in the closure of the Puerto Rico call center, Kim took on additional responsibilities, working diligently to train and support a new staff of agents and supervisors to handle the influx of redirected Online Account Origination (OAO) calls. Kim’s willingness to step up and take action in an emergency meant that the bank could continue to meet customer needs.
Her reaction to the nomination
“I feel honored to be recognized as someone who transforms our culture,” said Kim. “Banking has changed drastically over the last few years, and many of our customers are using our online applications for the first time. If I can improve that experience and make their lives a little easier, I feel like I have done my job.”
Amory Booher, “We Think Big”
Role
Director of Risk Technology & Execution; Corporate Risk Management; Birmingham, Alabama
Years of service
7
Why he was nominated
“Amory truly embodies the value ‘We Think Big’,” said nominating manager, Director of Operational Control & Execution Billy Murray. “He routinely finds ways we can improve and develops innovative solutions that increase productivity and boost satisfaction for customers and team members alike regardless if it fits within his ‘day job’.”
Values in action
Booher has led efforts to automate certain processes utilizing robotics within mortgage loan origination and fulfillment—a project that fell outside his normal responsibilities. As just one example, Booher and the team partnered with the mortgage unit to automate the appraisal process and helped the bank achieve improvements including:
- A nearly 3-day reduction in overall mortgage origination cycle time compared to manual ordering
- A more than 6-day reduction in the appraisal ordering process compared to manual ordering
That increased efficiency in mortgage processing and significant reduction in cycle time has translated to happier customers and employees.
His reaction to the nomination
“I am honored at having been nominated and humbled by the many kind comments from colleagues whom I have worked with during my tenure at the bank,” said Booher. “If you work in Risk, ‘think big’ has to be your day job! My team has done an amazing job at working to bring together ideas and people to apply design thinking and understand the needs of our business partners.”
Joanne Park, “We Are One Team”
Role
Regional Operations & Sales Support Specialist; Commercial Banking & WMG; Denver, Colorado
Years of service
26
Why she was nominated
“Joanne works 24/7 to promote our ‘One Team’ culture,” said nominating manager, West Region Commercial & Wealth Executive Jeff Talpas. “She actively identifies ways to make life easier for her colleagues here and across the BBVA Compass footprint.”
Values in action
Because relationship managers felt that sales results were recognized more than their broader sales efforts, Park designed and now manages the “Strive for Success” monthly sales campaign. Relationship managers now get credit for steps along the path to closing a loan—not just when a loan is closed. The campaign boosts team morale and offers a way to measure activities and results in greater sales success.
Her reaction to the nomination
“To be recognized like this means so much,” said Park. “I would like to thank two people who have helped me so much in my career here at BBVA Compass: Chief Operating Officer and Head of Commercial and Wealth Banking Rafael Bustillo and Jeff Talpas. Their trust and support of me over the years has been instrumental to my growth.”