In 2011, Deck joined the OlyFed family as Vice President of Risk and Compliance, which was a new division for the bank at that time. During the 11-year period before being named President & CEO, Deck held several leadership positions, most recently serving as EVP/Chief Operating Officer.

Deck, who serves on the board of directors with the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Community Bankers of Washington and the Olympia Country & Golf Club shares more about the bank, his passions, his leadership and what he enjoys doing for fun.

1. Favorite TV Show as a kid?

I would say being at home on a Friday night with family and friends watching Full House, Family Matters and the Fresh Prince of Belair.

2. What was your last Netflix or Prime binge?

I’m a little behind everyone else, but I just started watching Ted Lasso and love it. I still have more episodes to watch, so don’t spoil it for me!

3. What is your favorite vacation spot?

This is a tough one! I have to say Lake Chelan. My wife and I have been going there every summer for the past 15 years. This has transitioned to a true family vacation now with our kids, my parents and my brother and his family. So many great memories.

4. What’s worth paying for?

Great food! In college I had an amazing friend who has since passed away from cancer and I remember him telling me many times, “Josh, whenever you have an extra few dollars, don’t spend it on gadgets or gizmos, get yourself a meal that you will always remember.” That has stuck with me.

5. Do you still write letters?

Of course! Even though email or text is often the quickest way to connect, there are always times when a letter is best for a situation and is far more personal. I love sending thank you cards and congratulatory notes to our customers, employees and community partners.

6. What is your leadership style?

I don’t believe there is just one leadership style that is best for every situation or every person. Leadership is about relationships, demonstrating your values by supporting and caring for your team, and listening intently to others. As a leader, I strive to approach my work with compassion, positive energy and a vision to achieve results for the collective good. At OlyFed that collective good is all about our employees, customers and the communities we serve.

7. What are your must-haves on a road trip?

Definitely good music and great company!

8. What in your wardrobe do you wear most?

This is going to be boring because fashion is just not my thing! I would say probably polo shirts.

9. What do you crave at the end of your day?

Spending time with my family. It may be playing whiffle ball with our boys or working outside in the yard or around the house with my wife. Those opportunities to unplug and spend time with family help me reset.

10. What’s the most impressive dish you cook?

Most of what I make is on the Traeger. My two favorite things to make on the smoker are either bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers or fresh local oysters in the half shell with some garlic butter, parmesan and hot sauce.

11. What does success look like?

Success is making everyone and everything around you better. It’s centered on continued growth and improvement.

12. If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

I would say technology and learning more about the backend of it and how the ins and outs of code work.

13. When self-doubt creeps in, I…..

I surround myself with those who I can lean on, learn from and trust.

14. 20 years ago, I never knew…..

That I would be so passionate about community banking. I can assure you that being a banker was never on my mind in college. Now seeing how local dollars stay in our community and help people achieve their dreams of homeownership or entrepreneurship, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

15. What’s the best advice you ever received from a mentor?

I have a lot of amazing mentors. From my parents to Lori Drummond (OlyFed’s Board Chair) to many baseball and basketball coaches growing up. The one consistent piece of advice I have gained from all of them is you’re never done learning and I think about that in everything I do.

16. Do you collect anything?

My wife would say I collect golf hats and putters! I look at it as expanding my tools for the course. The hats keep my head from getting sunburnt and the putters are my attempt to find something that will help me be a better player!

17. Favorite thing about working at OlyFed?

The people! We have so many amazing and caring OlyFedders that I feel so fortunate to be around every day!

18. What are your hobbies?

Coaching baseball and basketball, working in the yard and playing golf. Golfing is one of my favorites, it gives me an opportunity to compete and clear my mind. I love this quote from Arnold Palmer, “Success in golf depends less on strength of body, more on strength of mind and character.”

19. What’s in the future for OlyFed?

What comes to mind is stability. OlyFed is here to stay and grow right along with our community. We are here to grow with the changing needs of our community and to support those around us as we see opportunities to be a partner in positive change.

20. What’s something you wish people knew?

That banking local is the most impactful shop local decision you can make. When you bank with OlyFed, your dollars stay local and play a critical role in the economic stability and quality of life here in Thurston and Mason County. While there are a lot of great financial institutions around our area, not all are truly local and those dollars often go to other states and don’t have the same benefits to our community as they could right here at home.