John "Jack" Heath III, Washington Trust Bank’s longtime president, assumed the CEO role last April.  Heath, who joined Washington Trust in 1989 and became president and COO in 2000, replaced Peter Stanton in the top post and became the first person outside of the Stanton family to serve in that role.

Outside of the bank, Heath has served on multiple boards, including Spokane Business Association, Washington Bankers Association, Pacific Coast Banking School, Community Cancer Fund, and LaunchNW. He is past chair of Spokane County United Way Campaign, Greater Spokane Incorporated, Premera Blue Cross, and the Washington Bankers Association. 

Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, University of Idaho; MBA, Gonzaga University.

Who has been a significant influence in your life and career? Our chairman Pete Stanton taught me how to be a servant leader and put others first, and that if you did the right thing by focusing on your employees, your clients, the community, your company would prosper.

What's the best piece of advice you've received? Do not ever let fear of failure hold you back. Put yourself out there and great things will happen.

If you could change anything about your industry, how would you change it? I will always work to make sure that as technology and automation evolve, the human relationship and focus on personal service is never lost.

Do you have a favorite quote/motto?  "Hope is not a strategy." I love this reminder to be intentional, set goals, apply rigor, and work diligently. In doing so you can accomplish anything.

What's a fact about you that most people would be surprised to learn? I was painfully shy until my second year in college.

If you had one wish for Spokane, what would it be?  That we create the community that others want to model around economics, human services, and safety. I believe that a community with a robust economy provides more opportunity to all, and Spokane is at a tipping point with many challenging issues that need to be resolved to spur investments and continue to attract new companies and individuals to our community.