TRIO/ GEAR UP 2005 HONOREE

Bruce Ford

Bruce Ford was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but has resided in Southern Nevada for 22 years. He enrolled at UNLV in 1982 and graduated in 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a major in Finance, concentrating in Investments. His father was a military officer, who retired from active duty while stationed at the Pentagon in 1988.

During his summer and Christmas breaks while at UNLV, he began working at the Pentagon Federal Credit Union. His experience from the Credit Union, coupled with his Finance Degree from UNLV, was the impetus for him becoming a banker. Upon graduating from UNLV, Mr. Ford began working locally at Nevada State Bank. He has been a local banker for 19 years.

In addition to his UNLV degree, he is also a graduate of the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School. He is currently in his second year of study at the Graduate School of Retail Bank Management. Mr. Ford taught commercial lending and banking at the Community College of Southern Nevada for 8 years.

Mr. Ford has earned numerous honors and awards including being named an Outstanding Young Man of America, 1987; UNLV's Black Student of the Year, 1985; Alliance of Black Professionals - Black Scholar, 1984 and 1985. He was named one of southern Nevada's top 40 businesspeople under age 40 in 2002. He is a graduate of Leadership Las Vegas and an active member of the UNLV Alumni Association. He is also an active member of the Great Commission Church, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Mr. Ford is currently employed as an Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Community Bank of Nevada. He is married to the former Loveda Minley. They reside in Henderson, Nevada.