Chris Acker
Proposed EVP/COO
First City Bank, I.O., Alpharetta, GA
Member, GBA Security Committee
Published Jan. 29, 2026
Q: What was your first job, and is there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: Kroger as a “bag boy”. Being kind and helpful is free and is usually returned the same.
Q: What was the most useful piece of advice you received from a mentor?
A: Be helpful and always show up early and you will never have to look for work. And they were right… I have never had to look for a job, all changes in employment were from previous mentors or connections calling me to come work for them.
Q: Tell us about one experience that exemplifies being a banker or your role at the bank.
A: Countless times we have helped a customer jump their car, change a headlight or a tire, numerous “parking lot” helps. As a community bank, you service your customers. Sometimes that is helping open a new savings account and sometimes it is saving them a tow truck call!
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: I was almost a contestant on the Guiness Book of World Records show to “eat the most baked beans, with a toothpick, in one minute”. But they changed the challenge to pickled eggs, so I declined.
Q: First tap/click of the day?
A: The Bank’s Mobile Banking App (to make sure things are running correctly and files were updated, etc.)
Q: Podcast recommendation?
A: The “Shawn Ryan Show”
Q: Book that you love/has made an impact?
A: “Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin