2018 40 Under 40: Rob Buchanan, 34

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

A former associate national bank examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Rob Buchanan has climbed the ladder at OakStar Bank from vice president of compliance to senior executive vice president and chief risk officer, a newly created position. At the Springfield-based bank, Buchanan in 2017 helped to oversee the acquisition of 100-year-old, fourth-generation-led Bank of Urbana. The best compliment, he says, is when customers don’t even realize a change occurs. Outside of OakStar, the Missouri Future Business Leaders of America named Buchanan Business Person of the Year, and he’s been active in the OneSolePurpose shoe donation program.

When did you realize you had grown up? The first time I realized how much I had paid in taxes for the year. It wasn’t a lot of money, but I realized it would be like this for the rest of my working days.

What was your professional aha moment? When I came to OakStar and had to deal with the regulators. Previously I was a federal regulator, but never realized what impression I left with the other side of the table. Now I try to keep that understanding where both sides are coming from and reach compromises that help everyone.

What’s your most treasured possession? There are a few pieces of furniture that my dad and I built that were gifts to my wife. They represent tangible legacies that he taught me in woodworking and work ethic.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? The ability to slow down time.