2007 40 Under 40 Honoree: Mark Bybee

Though Mark Bybee is the senior vice president and team leader of Commerce Bank’s commercial banking division in the Springfield region, he has bigger plans for his future.

“Professionally, I would like to, at some point, be president of a bank in Springfield,” Bybee said.

To reach that goal, Bybee said he’ll continue seeking new challenges and examining additional responsibilities at Commerce.

“We have an amazing team, and I am enjoying myself tremendously at this point,” he said. Bybee enjoys working with clients, learning from their successes and sharing that knowledge with others.

“If (clients) are looking for any advice I might have based on what I have seen, I am happy to share that with them,” he said. “The individual accolades, promotions, et cetera are always nice, but the day-to-day working and helping others within their companies is probably what makes me the proudest.”

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar prepared Bybee for his career in banking. He got his start at Mercantile Bank, now U.S. Bank, initially in the credit department and later moved into lending positions, including officer and assistant vice president. He joined Commerce Bank in 2002.

In addition to working as a co-leader of a community group at Fellowship Bible Church, Bybee is on the Southwest Missouri Leadership Council for the American Lung Association and works with the United Way.

His family includes Angie, his wife of nine years, and children Kiersten, 5, and Kaden, 4, who form the foundation of his personal goals.

“My personal goals include continuing to work hard at being a father and husband and to leave a legacy via my children as an ethical, hard-working member of the community,” Bybee said.

Stats

Position: Senior Vice President and Team Leader, Commerce Bank

Age: 32

Favorite professional sports team: Kansas City Royals – “It has been a tough couple of decades.”

A quote to live by:

“When the going gets tough and things are getting crazy, put your head down and work even harder.” – His dad, Gene Bybee