Monte Hulse: Thomas G. Salome, Jr. Legacy Award | Greater Waco Chamber

"If you had to describe Monte Hulse in one word, it would be consistency." Monte Hulse, chairman of FCT Bancshares, the holding company of The First National Bank of Central Texas, received the Greater Waco Chamber's Thomas G. Salome, Jr. Legacy Award. Friends and colleagues share how a West Texas kid who chose Baylor and fell in love with Waco went on to build a bank, mentor generations of leaders, and quietly shape the community for 50 years. Who is Monte Hulse? A Waco banker and entrepreneur who took the risk of buying the small First National Bank of Mart, moved it to Waco as The First National Bank of Central Texas, and helped it grow from roughly $27 million in the late 1990s to nearly $2 billion today. The bank's culture of long-tenured employees and developing young bankers continues under Chairman & CEO Joe Barrow and President Sloan Kuehl. How has Monte Hulse impacted Waco? Through decades of board service and volunteer leadership, including healthcare. He was instrumental in building the modern Waco Family Medicine facility, which served about 72,000 people in a single year. Community leaders also sought his quiet counsel during challenges like the potential closing of the Waco VA Hospital. What is the Thomas G. Salome, Jr. Legacy Award? The Greater Waco Chamber's Legacy Award, named for Tommy Salome, recognizes individuals for leadership, impact, sustained investment of time and talent, and collaborative approaches to community needs. As one speaker put it, Monte's life reflects Tommy Salome's values: a successful entrepreneur who created jobs, a lifetime of community service, "and he's just a good person." "The best thing that ever happened to me was choosing to go to Baylor. I fell in love with the city of Waco." Greater Waco Chamber: https://wacochamber.com Video produced by 360 Solutions, a full-service marketing agency in Waco, TX offering video production, photography, web design, graphic design, branding, and digital marketing. https://www.360solutions.com #Waco #LegacyAward #WacoChamber