From Army recruiter to community manager

As Alabama’s economy grows, JPMorganChase’s commitment to the state is growing with it. We’re helping to connect Alabama residents with banking and financial resources to help them manage their finances, withstand economic shocks, pursue their goals, and build generational wealth.

Part community liaison, part financial educator, Community Managers help lead this work by connecting neighbors, businesses, and local leaders to the right financial resources for their unique needs.

In the Birmingham area, Community Manager Geno L. Gardner helps improve money skills and financial health journeys through education, workshops, and support from the local Chase team. Here, Gardner discusses why his work as a Community Manager is so meaningful to him, and how he’s drawing on his own background—personal and financial—to help his fellow Alabamians build healthy financial habits.

I grew up in the church. My mother would sit me in a car seat in the first pew—I was a “pew baby,” as they call it. When I was 18, I joined the Army and spent the next two decades stationed around the world: Korea, Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, Japan, and Ireland.

During my service, I started a truck-driving company. I bought my first 18-wheeler from a repo lot. But I moved too fast, and I learned a valuable lesson: relationships take time, and so do investments. The Navy SEALS have a mantra: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” That wisdom stuck with me.

Toward the end of my Army career, I became a recruiter, working to encourage young people to consider a future in the military. Parents would bring their whole families into my office to hear my pitch. That experience taught me a lot about flexibility, patience, and the importance of listening deeply. You have to be mindful of people’s framework, their experiences, and where they want their life to go.

After 22 years in the military, I decided to retire. I called some of my military buddies and they suggested Birmingham, Alabama—a family place with lots of cool things to do, they said. We prayed on it, and that’s how we ended up in The Ham.

A good friend who worked for JPMorganChase would send job openings my way from time to time. One day, the job description said, “You’re a culturalist, a brand ambassador.” As an Army recruiter and pastor, I thought, “oh, man—this is right up my alley.”

Teaching financial literacy. Improving financial health.

I was hired as JPMorganChase’s first Community Manager based in Alabama. Today, we have Community Managers in all lower 48 states plus D.C.

I organize and host dozens of financial health workshops for all ages, from kindergarteners to older adults. I have the joy of teaching people how to set goals, budget, and save; build credit; manage debt; and protect themselves from fraud and scams.

For many of the communities I serve, a common challenge is effective budgeting. Budgeting can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I teach people how to set goals, budget, and save—and I reassure them that the rest will come. If we can get you rock solid around your budget, you can build discipline around saving and improving your credit score. That’s why we call it financial health—because it’s about supporting your journey and helping you strengthen your financial well-being.

A lady who attended one of my workshops later reached out to share, “Because of you, I’ve actually started saving.” That was big for me: she took everything that I said, put it into practice, and is now on a better path because of it.

Building lasting trust

I lead with humility, patience, and kindness.

Down here in Birmingham, we’re in the Civil Rights district. Day-to-day, our community is faced with a lot of historical context. Communities in Alabama really look for genuine and heartfelt connections, because that’s what they’re built on. We’re a determined city—and I love that.