Regional President, United Bank
LinkedIn: Chad Mildren
Banking is in Chad Mildren’s blood. The regional president for United Bank decided to become a banker after being influenced by four paternal generations in banking. “My great-grandfather, my grandfather and my father, Bill Mildren, were all in the banking business,” says Mildren. “My grandfather and father ran Commercial Bank in Parkersburg for more than 50 years.”
When he was younger, Mildren wanted to become an attorney but found that he was a natural in banking and quickly began climbing the ranks. Working for his father in Parkersburg led to an internship opportunity at Jackson State Bank (JSB) in Jackson Hole, WY. His involvement with JSB solidified his desire to be a banker and led to his first job out of college as a credit analyst for the company.
From his position at JSB, Mildren returned to West Virginia to attend the West Virginia School of Banking. During that time, he worked as a branch manager and consumer mortgage loan officer at Commercial Bank, which was sold in 1997. Under the new ownership, Mildren was promoted to vice president and commercial loan officer. In 2000, Mildren was hired by United Bank as vice president in commercial loans and began attending Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Georgetown University. He quickly moved up in the company until he became the regional president in 2011.
Born and raised in Parkersburg, WV, Mildren’s first job was working as a caddy for Larry Martin at the Parkersburg Country Club, which gave him experience that he still uses today. “Larry taught me many important lessons: hard work, honesty, integrity, teamwork and the value of a dollar,” says Mildren. “He had a disciplined approach for managing the golf shop.”
Beyond instilling in him the values of hard work, Mildren’s time as a caddy cemented his love for the game, which he played in high school and continues to play today. Mildren is an avid outdoorsman and also enjoys hunting, skiing and fishing. He once spent a summer traveling Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to fish, which the locals call being a “trout bum.” He also owns a farm in Athens County, Ohio, where he practices quality deer management.
His love of the outdoors also affects his involvement in the community, which he considers a vital responsibility. He has worked on the Allohak Council of the Boy Scouts of America, co-chaired the annual Kids Golf Classic for the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg and spearheaded a fundraising effort to build the Parkersburg Skate Park as a part of the Downtown Development Taskforce. “I have always enjoyed giving back to the community and working to make it a better place to live,” says Mildren. “I have been very blessed in my life and feel it is my duty to be involved.” Mildren also serves on the boards of the Wood County Development Authority, the West Virginia Bankers Association and United Way, where he focuses on community improvement, an ideal he strives to pass onto his family.
Mildren and his wife, Nikki, have two daughters, Annie and Margaret, and he works hard to find balance. “As with any young family, it is busy keeping up with all of the activities, but my biggest challenge also gives me my biggest rewards,” says Mildren. “Taking a long-term view of both my personal and career goals helps me keep things in perspective. Working hard, caring and keeping a positive attitude is a great equalizer for challenges in my business life.”
With his drive to pursue balance and quality work, Mildren has proven himself as one of the state’s exemplary businessmen, and his secret is in his approach. “I have a passion for banking and love being involved in the industry,” says Mildren. “But the core drivers have been hard work, persistence and a little luck.”
What is your favorite . . . ?
Color – Red
Food – Anything spicy
Ice Cream – Vanilla
Animal – Deer
App – Poynt
TV Show – The Golf Channel
Movie – “Vacation”
Smell – Crisp autumn in the mountains
Sports Team – University of Kentucky’s basketball team
Car – Chevy Truck
Pet – My old bird dog, Gus, an English pointer
Place – Jackson Hole, WY
Written by Amy Arnett
Photography by Tracy Toler on location at Smith Company Motor Cars
