Thomas Gresham

Thomas Gresham learned the values of hard work and a good education at his first job painting propane and diesel tanks in the heat of a Mississippi summer.

“It was humbling work and encouraged me to strive for more,” he said. “Fast forward to moving to Dallas, my dad told me something his grandfather once told him before he went to SMU. Never forget where you came from. And I certainly will not forget those summers.”

Today, Gresham is president of the North Dallas market for Benchmark Bank, where he began his career as a credit analyst in 2010. The Mississippi native said that Benchmark has become a second family to him over the years.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Gresham volunteered to lead Benchmark’s Paycheck Protection Program, which helped businesses access critical pandemic funding. The Benchmark team extended more than $55 million in loans under the Paycheck Protection Program to support the local community.

But Gresham is proudest of becoming a father. He and his wife are the parents of two children and are involved in a variety of community organizations through school and church.

Recently, most of Gresham’s philanthropic efforts have been committed to the TouchDown Club of Dallas, where he has served as treasurer and on the board of the TouchDown Club Foundation.

The TouchDown Club is the lifeblood of The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, an early childhood education program for children with disabilities such as Down syndrome. It raises $750,000 to $1 million annually, and all those funds go directly to the school.

“My wife has always been very encouraging of my involvement and understanding of time commitments outside of work and home,” Gresham said. “Obviously, my family comes first, but she is always my biggest cheerleader.”

What accomplishment are you the most proud of and why?

Becoming a father… I do not think you really mature until you are blessed with children.

Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?

It is scary to think that in 10 years I will likely be sending my first born off to college. As my grandfather used to tell me, it’s off to work I go … I owe I owe I owe! As a banker I get it now. I enjoy community banking and plan to do that for many years.

What’s on your bucket list?

Since I was a young kid, I have always wanted to learn to fly and get my pilot’s license. I plan to make that a reality one day.

Tell us about your professional experience.

Upon graduating from college in 2010, I began my banking career at Benchmark Bank initially as a credit analyst. Working my way up through the company involved many roles varying from a mortgage loan originator at an affiliate business and culminating in being named President of the North Dallas market. Benchmark has become a second family as I have worked with many fellow employees for over a decade.

Tell us about your involvement in the Park Cities and/or Preston Hollow.

My wife and I are both from Mississippi. To us, being involved in the community was an inherited trait learned from our families at an early age. We are members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church where we have met many of our closest friends. Both of our children attend Providence Christian School. Through both school and church, we are involved in a few varied community organizations.  

What was your toughest business or personal challenge?

There have been many ups and downs in both my business career and personal life. My advice to any young professional is to limit the major life changes to one at a time. I decided that it would be good timing for my family to move out of our home, start a major remodel and have our first child at the same time. Our daughter came early and spent several weeks in the NICU all while I was busy at work, renovating a home and finishing my last year of banking school in Colorado. I look back now at how that prepared me and my family for future adversity and are very blessed with two healthy children.

On the business front specifically, one of the most challenging times was during the pandemic. I volunteered to lead the Paycheck Protection Program at Benchmark. Many of the bank’s customers and businesses were severely affected by the pandemic. It was critical to have this product offering and help navigate these customers through the critical funding that was available to them. The Benchmark team extended more than $55 million in loans to support the local community.

How do you motivate yourself and others?

I have always felt that the best way to motivate others is to be a part of the team by showing them that you are willing and able to roll up your sleeves as well. Now as a manager, delegation is key but also acknowledging successes of individual team members is critical to motivating a team as a whole.

What was your “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career?

I am still waiting on that lightbulb to burn bright.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I grew up in a town of about 10k and graduated with a class of less than 50.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

It is important to have good friends and be a good friend. Friends are the only ones that are going to pick you up when things aren’t going your way.

If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?

The Road Back to You. A great book that helps understand others’ personalities.

What advice do you have for other young professionals?

Do not let only money motivate you. You will never win in this city. Find your passion, do it well and enjoy life within your means. Never forget where you came from and always pay your way.