Kris Nau

Nau is vice president of commercial lending for Empire Bank. He has worked for the bank since 2000, serving as branch manager for Empire Bank’s Chesterfield branch before recently accepting his current position.

Nau grew up around the banking industry as the son of Earl Nau, who began his banking career in Springfield in 1963. Earl Nau is a former president of Boatmen’s and later was the founder and CEO of First City National Bank.

“Banking is in my blood, and I think it’s one of the most vital parts to growth and success of the communities of southwest Missouri,” Kris Nau said.

He added that his father has been the most influential person to his career.

One day Nau hopes to be in senior management in the banking industry. Though he is working hard to accomplish many things professionally, Nau views his personal life – and particularly his children, Kelsey, 10, and Garrett, 6 – as his greatest accomplishment.

Through his children, Nau is keeping alive another family tradition. He raises and shows black angus cattle as a fourth-generation participant, and his children are involved in local youth divisions.

Nau is a member of Messiah Lutheran church where he serves on the budget committee. He’s also on the board of directors for the Council of Churches.

Nau is responsible for the annual presentation of family scholarships, established in 1998, at Ozark Empire Fair, and he helped establish an annual family scholarship for Drury University’s Breech School of Business.

Other community involvement includes serving as vice president of the board of directors of the Springfield Finance and Development Corp. and working with Sertoma Clubs of Springfield.

Born: 1966

What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you? “The true test is in the long run.” – Earl Nau

If you were faced with a difficult business decision, from whom would you seek advice, and why? My boss, Joe McCarty, uses good solid, old-school common sense in decision-making in banking, which also applies to life decisions.

What are some stocks that you watch? Stocks of local interest – Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Great Southern, O’Reilly, Burlington Northern