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From 10 floors above South Main Street, the views of downtown Greenville are phenomenal – a welcoming sentiment to Rob Hoak, the newest resident in the corner office at Poinsett Plaza. Though the skyline panorama is breathtaking, Hoak hasn’t had time to sit and enjoy the scenery since he came to Greenville in November to take the reins as Regional President for TD Bank. Instead he’s been out in the markets, learning more about the customers and employees firsthand – he’s just that kind of guy.

He’s a guy that knows the right way to balance authority and amiability. In fact, Hoak was as warm and hospitable as the view from the windows behind him. As we talked, he didn’t sit behind a desk but joined me at a conversation table, chair pushed back, legs crossed and shirt and tie sans coat. I got the impression that Hoak isn’t overburdened by pretense – he’s real and relatable, and those are elements of a great leader.

And a great leader is exactly what he aspires to be for the South Carolina and Wilmington, NC, regions as he helps facilitate an easy transition from Carolina First Bank into TD Bank.

Some might say Hoak’s banking career was destiny –his father spent his career at Wachovia. But when he entered The Citadel in pursuit of a B.S. in Business Administration, Hoak was more focused on playing basketball at a collegiate level than making long-term career decisions. In spring of his senior year, Hoak received two job offers – one with a textile mill and one with Charleston-based Citizens & Southern National (CSN) Bank. He accepted the banking position, which he held for three years before attending graduate school for an MBA at Wake Forest University.

Afterwards, Hoak once again entered banking, holding a variety of positions from commercial banking to executive leadership for Wachovia Bank as well as managing the Business Banking Division for Wells Fargo in Pennsylvania and Delaware. When this opportunity arose, Hoak knew he was perfectly suited to the job, having 32 years experience in commercial and retail banking in various areas.

“In my previous position with Wachovia, I moved 12 times, navigating merger environments and new markets,” says Hoak. “My expertise in this arena was what brought me to take the helm of TD Bank’s entrance into the South Carolina market.”

Hoak will be responsible for overseeing commercial and retail banking as well as coordinating TD Bank’s related business lines, including mortgage lending, real estate finance, insurance, wealth management, private banking, brokerage and consumer services.

Hoak’s mission is to ensure an easy merger of Carolina First and TD Bank’s individual cultures while increasing performance. He has great faith that the development of a unified team and community support will bring success. “I enjoy the challenge of coming in with a task of building a better team. It’s like having the building blocks in place and using those to construct the best organization possible. We already have a tremendous foundation and amazing support from many members of the community who are getting behind us and pulling for the triumph of Carolina First and TD Bank.”

Hoak is enjoying the challenges of the job, and though he says no two days are alike, that type of diversity is like a shot of adrenaline. He relishes the challenges presented with each new day, living life fully and gratefully, always looking for opportunities to glean real-life lessons that translate between his personal and professional lives.

Hoak chuckled as he shared one such experience, recalling his first – and only – attempt to fix the family car. “I always admired my father-in-law’s ability to fix anything, and after watching him for years, I was optimistic I could replicate his work. After pulling parts off the engine and putting them back on, I ended up with a pile of extra pieces. It was then I knew I missed out on the handyman lot in life.”

But a wise man can always apply such life lessons to his corporate philosophy. Hoak says that he learned the hard way that some things are better left to a specialist. “When considering new employees, I hire people who are specifically trained and adept in their niche. That way, I’m not forced to micromanage but can take care of my responsibilities with the confidence that my employees will take care of theirs.”

Hoak says it’s his objective to not smother employees but give them direction and enough room to prove themselves. “I try to be present but not overbearing. If I constantly focus on numbers, we’ll go nowhere, but if I focus on people, there’s nothing we can’t do together. That’s how we put together a phenomenal team capable of sitting down and determining direction then moving forward to get the job done.”

This kind of devotion is not only for the office but for every facet of Hoak’s life. The things Hoak says make him “tick” are what we consider everyday human interests. He enjoys delving into a good historical biography, looking for inspiration in the lives of others he feels have been trailblazers. He wants to understand their motivations, their trials, but, most importantly, how they have inspired greatness in others.

But Hoak makes it clear his family is the constant ignition that propels him to succeed in both life and business. “I count my family – my wife, daughter and son – as my greatest achievement in life. I am proud to be a guiding force for my children who have their own independent and successful lives but still enjoy coming home once in awhile.”

Very humbly Hoak admits this is the same wish for his business legacy. “I hope people will look back and be able to say, ‘He made a positive difference.’”

Carolina First Becomes TD Bank: What Does the Future Look Like?
On September 30, 2010, the TD Bank Financial Group purchased The South Financial Group whose subsidiary Carolina First Bank was merged with TD Bank. Though Carolina First is continuing to operate under its name at this time, the conversion and rebranding into TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank® will take place around late Spring 2011.

So What Can We Expect From This New Bank?
Rob Hoak took over as TD Bank’s Regional President for the South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, regions, reporting to Lynn Harton, Head of Commercial Banking, South, TD Bank. Hoak plans to build upon the legacy established by Carolina First while bringing in TD Bank’s extensive suite of products and unparalleled service and convenience to build the best bank for current and future customers.

These following are the key points:
Maximum Convenience – “Customers will see a more convenient banking experience. It’s not just our slogan – it’s for real,” says Hoak. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank™, will offer banking customers hours built around their needs — longer, more accessible and more convenient than the competition.

Engaged and Involved Bankers – TD bankers are committed to being out in their markets, visible to the public and fully engaged, utilizing every opportunity to learn more about their customers and offer optimum support.

Familiar Faces – Carolina First has been in the South Carolina region, but TD Bank is just entering the market. This merger is about growth and building on two legacies of excellence. The bank’s lending professionals are local bankers making local loans, and they establish customer relationships focusing on service and the delivery of individualized financing solutions. Simply put, the familiar faces customers are comfortable with at Carolina First will be the same faces at TD Bank.