Before graduating from Cache High School in 2007, Rivas had already begun his banking career as a retail teller with Bank of the Wichitas – now All America Bank.
Twelve years later, he has earned his way to district manager and assistant vice president for City National Bank and Trust. “Being a district manager, earning an officer title at 26, has been my biggest milestone at City National Bank,” he said. Two years later, Rivas was named assistant vice president.
Determined to grow with the company and take on new challenges, Rivas encourages others to work toward their own personal goals. “With young professionals today, it’s often hard to get a seat at the table. But I’ve been very fortunate to have the leaders who invested in me.”
Recognized for his continuing volunteerism throughout the community, he has been awarded the Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority’s Champion Volunteer Award for Comanche County and has earned a proclamation from the Extra Mile Heroes of America for
Alberto Francesco Rivas Jr. helping “fellow citizens, promoting positivity within the community and supporting initiatives in the arts, education and nonprofit sectors.” He was also selected as Comanche County’s Citizen of the Month for December 2018.
“In 2012, Donna Anderson and Linda Dempsey encouraged me to join the committee for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation for Southwest Oklahoma. I chaired that organization for about four years.
“What I appreciate most is meeting the people I have, and how together we were able to impact the lives of those around us. Working with the MS Foundation helped open the doors to organizations who impact more people over the years.”
Although he is a current committee member for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Stop and Shop Local, and Lawton Proud – an initiative created by business and community leaders to promote positivity in Lawton, working with students is one of Rivas’ most rewarding experiences. “I’ve learned that those students are my passion, so mentorship programs with LPS is at the top of my list,” the Lawton Public Schools Senior Conference Committee member said.
A member of Leadership Lawton- Fort Sill Class XXVII, Rivas also serves on the organization’s board as well as the boards for Armed Forces YMCA and Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra.
Along with his work for the Arts for All Festival, Arts for All Gala and the Freedom Festival, Rivas took on both directing and acting roles for productions with the Lawton Community Theatre. For his contributions to the arts, he was awarded The Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts Award from the City of Lawton and Lawton Arts and Humanities Council, which honors “artists, educators, citizens, and businesses and organizations who have made a difference in [the] community.”
While volunteerism in itself is rewarding, Rivas genuinely enjoys promoting Lawton and cultivating positive relationships with members of the community. “Get involved,” he said. “We have to invest in ourselves to see a return in our communities.”