Gene Ross Retired as president of Essex Bancorp, Inc.

by | Feb 18, 2021 | Trending News

What profession did you retire from?
I started and was responsible for running a residential mortgage loan servicing operation that eventually became the third largest in the country. Today, we are one of the largest employers in Tidewater. My background was public accounting and left it to run banks. I served as the president or CEO of four banking institutions and was instrumental in selling three of them.

Before I retired, I hired my replacement and solely worked on business development for the company.

What are you doing now?
I spend time golfing, biking, walking my dog, swimming indoors, cooking, and taking care of personal finances. Plus, I’m involved with a few non-profits.

I’m a board member of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Foundation and Ohef Sholom Temple’s Foundation. I have always had a passion for physical activity. When COVID-19 is behind us, I don’t see that changing, although some activities will likely receive more emphasis, such as traveling and socializing with friends. We like entertaining and, of course, that has been difficult, if not impossible during the pandemic. I miss dining out with friends and especially not seeing my kids and granddaughter.

When COVID-19 restrictions lift, what do you want to do?
Travel…especially to see my kids in Colorado and San Francisco and my new granddaughter. We have a condo under construction in Lafayette, Colorado, which is in proximity to my daughter, her husband, and child. We can’t wait!