TheBurg

03.20 | theburgnews.com | 23 Why did you decide to go into your profession? When I graduated from a liberal arts college with dual majors in mathematics and business administration, it was more about what I didn't want to do. I knew that I didn't want to be a math teacher or an actuary, but I wanted to use my math aptitude in my career. As a newly graduated student, like many young and eager college grads, I wanted to move out of the area. Fortunately, the job market in Florida was soft, and I received two offers from banks in PA. Rather than go the retail path, I chose to join a commercial credit training program, which led to becoming a commercial middle market lender, manager of a lending team and now a Regional Credit Officer at S&T Bank. And looking back, I now know that I made the right decision to stay in PA. What makes your approach to your job different or unique? I try to put myself in the "other person's shoes." As a regional credit officer, my job is to protect the assets of the bank, mitigating risk, but recognizing that loans need to be made, to grow the bank. I'm new to the position, having been on the sales and management side of commercial lending for most of my career. is is a benefit—remembering how competitive the marketplace is—so my approach is to try to reach a compromise. While not every opportunity can or should be approved, throughout the course of my career, I have seen many missed opportunities by the credit officer not listening and keeping an open mind to different approaches. What's the most fun or gratifying part of what you do? Helping companies grow and be successful, which trickles down to their employees and families. Many years ago, I questioned whether I was making an impact and helping society. I'll never forget when a fellow graduate student and I were having a conversation, in the parking lot at Penn State Harrisburg following class, about the direction of our lives. He was the one who opened my eyes and helped me understand the significance and importance of my career to the local economy and its citizens. is came home during the recession, when I structured loans to help companies survive and keep people employed in their local communities. Why did you start your own business? I wanted to start a business before I knew I wanted to start a business. I went to the University of Pittsburgh and got a business degree thinking I wanted to work for a business. en I got a master's degree in exercise physiology thinking I wanted to do research. All along, I taught Pilates for fun! Life brought me home to Harrisburg to be with my then-sick mother, and family has kept me in the Burg. My husband and I bought a home in Walden, and I think I knew then that I would open a Pilates studio in our mixed-use neighborhood, even though I did have what I called a real job. Back in 2008, Pilates was the new kid in the Harrisburg fitness community. I wanted to bring the Pilates that I know and love to this community. What Makes Your Business Unique? Absolute Pilates has four locations in the Harrisburg area. We bring high-quality instruction to the area. All of our instructors are comprehensively trained, meaning they have done more than 500 hours of training. Most have gone on to get specialty training in areas that interest them, like pre- and postnatal, MS and neurological conditions, traumatic brain injures, back pain, dance fitness and breast cancer. We believe we can help people fall in love with Pilates no matter their current health situation or wellness goals. We help clients look their best on a wedding day or help you move, even though you think you can't. What's the most fun or gratifying part of what you do? For me as the studio owner, this is a two-part answer. I have been able to help clients feel better, move better and be healthy. I love working with people who think they cannot. I have clients that, due to chronic disease or injury, have not moved in up to 10 years. We get them on the Pilates machines, and it is a game changer. ey can build strength and stamina. Currently, the inspiration around the studio is a woman with MS who came in and was headed for a wheelchair. We have been working together to rebuild strength in her legs, and she is strong enough to drive to her own sessions now. Also, I have been able to give so many people careers. We host an annual teacher training in the studio. is has provided careers to military wives, recent college grads that have no idea what they want to do with their degree, recently divorced moms who need to get back to work, and retirees looking for a fun second career. Seeing the clients and the teachers light up and move in my spaces is the most gratifying part of my day. Allison Zang, Owner & Instructor Absolute Pilates | www.absolutepilates.co | 717.585.2592 Jane McMinn, Senior Vice President, Regional Credit Officer S&T Bank | STBank.com | 800.325.2265

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