PATRICK FEHRING:
 
Patrick Fehring




 
 
 
 
 
Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, Level One Bank in Farmington Hills. Fehring has more than three decades of experience in financial services. Prior to Level One, he spent 26 years at Fifth Third Bank, including serving nearly five years as president of Fifth Third in the Eastern Michigan market, and 10 years as president of the Central Ohio region. Founded in 2007, Level One has grown to more than 100 employees, more than $500 million in assets, and seven offices. In conjunction with its latest branch opening, the bank raised funds for the Down's Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan. The company has been recognized as a 5-Star Superior Bank by BauerFinancial, an independent bank and credit union rating and research firm. Level One ranked 13th among the largest Southeast Michigan banks and thrifts in Crain's 2012 Book of Lists. The bank grew with the acquisitions of Michigan Heritage Bank and Paramount Bank. Level One was named as a Michigan 50 Companies to Watch by the Edward Lowe Foundation and the Community Lender of the Year for 2011 by SEM Resource Capital, based on its participation with Resource Capital in making SBA 504 loans to Michigan small businesses. Fehring serves on the board of the Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation, Detroit Public Television, and Archdiocese of Detroit Endowment. He has previously been involved as a board member and volunteer with New Detroit, Detroit Renaissance, United Way, and the American Heart Association of Southeast Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree in business from Miami (Ohio) University.


WHERE BORN: “Cincinnati.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “Clement Buenger. He was the president and CEO of Fifth Third when I started working with them out of college. He taught me two things – the value of a strong work ethic and, through his encouragement, he also showed me that I could achieve more than I was envisioning.”

LAST BOOK READ: “The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. It's about how to achieve more in business by focusing on activities in our daily lives to bring about positive results.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Determined, committed, curious.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “The banking industry is headed in a positive trend as the economy improves. It's a good time to be in the industry. Community banking is a strong opportunity because fewer and fewer banks are locally owned with local decision making. It gives us a tremendous competitive advantage.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “DVR – I don't have time to watch TV a lot so it's very convenient to watch programming when I do have time.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Two – I enjoy being home and when I'm not, I enjoy northern Michigan to get away and relax.”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “I enjoy almost anything that takes me outside – golfing and fly fishing.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “That's easy – grilled meats.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “I'd like to consider myself an amateur gardener. I like experimenting with new plantings.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “As someone who was engaged in their community and treated others fairly and honestly.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.