We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Fortenberry and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Paul, how does your business help the community or world?
My business donates 100% of our profits after expenses have been paid to cancer research. This helps individuals that want to make a difference in others lives. I gain a lot of support from the local community that are individuals that have been affected by cancer through family members or themselves personally. I hear their stories and provide them hope and inspiration that I am out there making a difference on my own. My product also makes a great gift for those looking for homemade goods that support a charity function and taste delicious.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Regional Private Loan Underwriter and Assistant Vice President for Wells Fargo Bank. I started out at the bottom level of a local Community Bank and went to night school. During the day I would work a full time job and then at night take classes for my degree. I kept going to class at night with the degree as my focus. Wells Fargo acquired my Community Bank in early 2006 and i was brought on as a credit analyst. I was also awarded a special award during the first year for outstanding performance in the conversion process helping teammates to decipher credit files and understand our digital credit filing system. I decided to change my career path in the bank and in May 2007 I joined The Private Bank as a credit analyst and assisting them in portfolio work. August 2008, I graduated from U of H – Clear Lake with a Bachelors double major degree in Accounting and Finance. To this day I am still gainfully employed with Wells Fargo and just celebrated my 19th year anniversary.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say at this time I cannot honestly answer this question. With the spread of COVID 19 and the pandemic a lot of places that would have been great to visit/tour are now closed or limited. The restaurants are also closing down with a lot of places just offering take out.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t say there is any one person or group that has led me to keep going, but the overall society. Working with grocery stores, individuals and the general public have given a lot of praise that helps me to keep pushing forward with the business.
Website: www.canningforcancer.com
Facebook: Canning for Cancer – Houston