Our people: Clovis banker is also a builder

Jan. 6—Jerome Clemmons got into banking because a number of his college friends secured jobs with Wells Fargo Bank, so he did too.

These days, Clemmons, who grew up in Muleshoe, is the on-site branch manager for New Mexico Bank & Trust in Clovis.

Clemmons took time Thursday to talk about his life with The News.

Q: So you're from Muleshoe?

A: I was born and raised in Muleshoe. I graduated from Muleshoe High School in 1998.

I went to South Plains College in Littlefield and got an associates degree in computer science.

While I was there I had a roommate who went on to Eastern New Mexico University. I decided to go there and that's how I got to Portales.

I lived in Portales until last February.

That's when I bought a home in Clovis.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I have a daughter, Trinity, who is just starting in the nursing program at Clovis Community College.

My son, Jayden, is in the dual program between Clovis Municipal Schools and CCC.

My mother and father live in Muleshoe.

My mother, JimElla Clemmons, had her own business, Lambert Cleaners, on Main Street in Muleshoe. I think she was there for 30 years.

She worked at the First Bank of Muleshoe for 14 years. She was their first African-American employee. She retired when that bank was bought by Happy State Bank.

My father, Tyrone Clemmons, worked and retired from Xcel Energy.

I have an older sister, Monica Williams, who is a professor of sports medicine at Lubbock Christian University.

I have a nephew, Asher, and niece, Saraya.

My younger sister, Amelia Clemmons, lives in Muleshoe. She is a traveling certified nursing assistant and massage therapist.

Q: Tell us about your career. Did you always dream you wanted to be a banker?

A: I was at ENMU, taking a lot of marketing classes, and I had several friends who worked at Wells Fargo Bank. So I got a job there too. That's how I got into banking.

I was with them for 16 years, 13 years in Portales and three years in Ruidoso.

I came home for a bit to work at Happy State Bank in Muleshoe and Bovina then I was hired for this position at New Mexico Bank & Trust in Clovis.

Q: What is the most striking thing that happened to you in your banking career?

A: I had a very affluent customer sitting in my office (before Clovis) when a "big value" businessman stopped by my office door.

The two men started talking politics with each other.

Things got heated between them and the customer sitting at my desk threw his coffee on the man standing in the door.

The customer who threw the coffee calmed down after a bit and said, "Please don't tell my wife."

Q: Do you have a philosophy of money?

A: Money is a tool. And it should be viewed and used as a tool.

That's the way I look at it.

Q: What do you do in your off hours?

A: I am the president of the Roosevelt and Curry County Habitat for Humanity.

Every Saturday we are building. and volunteers are appreciated.

Q: If a movie were made about your life who should play you?

A: Denzel Washington would be perfect, but due to his age I'm going to have to go with Michael B. Jordan.

Q: Do you have a favorite place to visit or vacation?

A: I really don't go on vacation.

I love to go to Muleshoe and hang out with my parents.

When I go home my mom loves to cook fried chicken and fried pork chops.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: I love seafood, especially shrimp and crab.

Q: Do you have a favorite saying?

A: You are what you eat. So don't be cheap and fast.