Jerry Landowski has been the senior vice president of CenterBank of Jacksonville for three weeks.
HOW DID HE GET
THAT JOB?
“I had worked with Raymond Mason Jr., president and CEO of CenterBank, previously at American Bank. Mason was a major shareholder in American Bank, which was sold to SouthTrust Bank and he started a new bank [CenterBank] from proceeds from the sale of American Bank. Basically, what I’m doing is coming back to American Bank.”
WHAT DOES HE DO?
He is responsible for developing the bank’s commercial real estate loan department. “I also do commercial loans, but my focus will be commercial real estate loans.”
HOW WILL YOU DO THAT?
“I have 25 years banking experience, 20 of which were in real estate lending. The bank had previously focused on small businesses and now we have added a new focus on commercial investment real estate. We will lend to those who are developing, purchasing or leasing real estate.”
HOW DID he GET
INTO LENDING?
Landowski moved to Jacksonville in 1990 and went to work for First Union Bank for eight years before moving over to American Bank.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT COMMERCIAL LENDING?
“Every transaction is different. It’s more of an art than a science.”
FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IN JACKSONVILLE?
“That right now it’s a very strong market. We go below the radar screen of the regional and national banks. Our loan size is smaller than the larger banks would be looking at. We focus mainly on industrial, retail, office and multi-family.”
AVERAGE LOAN SIZE?
About $800,000 to $1 million.
INVOLVEMENT IN DOWNTOWN PROJECTS?
“Right now, we are looking at three different projects in Springfield, one with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, where they are not able to handle the construction loan. They are looking for a construction lender to get the project started and will eventually change it to a permanent loan when the construction is done. We are looking at both commercial and residential projects in Springfield.”
MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LENDING?
“To meet all the needs of the potential owner who wants good pricing and favorable terms. The challenge is matching the risk with the pricing.”
BEFORE LENDING?
He was a certified public accountant in Texas.
WHERE IS the
COMPANY LOCATED?
On the Southbank at 1325 Hendricks Ave.
HOW MANY ARE ON YOUR STAFF?
“None, it is just me for right now. We just started it and we do plan to grow the division soon.”
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
He is a member of Rotary Club of Mandarin and Associated Builders and Contractors.
BIRTHPLACE
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive public accounting from University of Wisconsin.
FAMILY
He has been married to Janine, an art director at Citigroup, for 28 years. They have two grown children, Justin, 21, and Jeffrey, 18.
HOBBIES
Golf and fishing.
RESIDES
Mandarin.
CHURCH
St. Joseph’s Catholic.
FAVORITES
“Road to Perdition” is a movie he saw recently and would recommend. “I love gangster movies.” When dining out, he enjoys Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Las Vegas is a place he enjoys visiting and when relaxing at home, he enjoys tuning into “Frasier.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis