Recently, members of the Executive Council had the privilege of interviewing this month’s Alumni Spotlight feature, Jacob Taylor, the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Bay Bank in Gladstone, Michigan. Jacob shared how BPA shaped his path and why he continues to stay involved.

1. During which years were you an active member of BPA?
   I was an active member from 2011 through 2018.

2. What was your most memorable BPA experience?
   Serving as the national postsecondary president was my most memorable experience. That role gave me the opportunity to travel, meet student members from across the country, and hear their stories. It was inspiring to see how impactful BPA is for all students—whether they’re serving as an officer or simply participating in conferences.

3. What leadership positions did you hold in BPA?
   As a secondary member, I served as my local chapter president for two years and later as state parliamentarian for Michigan BPA. In the Postsecondary Division, I held positions such as committee chair, treasurer, vice president, and ultimately national postsecondary president. After graduating, I immediately joined the Alumni Division, where I’ve served as NLC committee chair, Alumni Division president-elect, national alumni president, and now treasurer of the alumni executive committee.

4. How did BPA help prepare you for your future?
   The biggest takeaway has been the soft skills—professionalism, communication, networking, and confidence. Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I didn’t have much exposure to diversity, but BPA gave me the chance to connect with people from across the country. Those experiences taught me how to work with individuals from all walks of life, which has been invaluable both personally and professionally.

5. How have you stayed connected with BPA since graduating?
   I joined the Alumni Division right away and have been heavily involved ever since. I also volunteer with Michigan BPA, helping at the State Leadership Conference every year since 2015. I currently serve as the Torch Award coordinator, reviewing diplomat and statesman resumes, and as regional advisor liaison, supporting advisors and managing registration, testing, and judging systems. Recently, I also joined the Workplace Skills Assessment Program Review Committee to help update events and align them with industry standards.
   
   
6. What advice would you give to current BPA members?
   Enjoy every moment of your BPA journey. Take the time to meet people at conferences, whether it’s while waiting for an event or sitting before a general session. Some of my closest friends are people I met through BPA over a decade ago. Networking is one of the most valuable skills BPA provides—it gives you the foundation to connect with others confidently and use those relationships to grow both personally and professionally.