When you immigrate to the United States from a former communist country, your point of view about opportunity is different.

Kristof's first visit to the US was to New York and he thought it was all like that. As a Top high school decathlete in Poland, he had the chance to come to the United States and he chose Wichita USA.

As an outstanding athlete for the Wichita State Shockers, he soon wanted to apply his dedication and capabilities to the business world. Many of us in the US take for granted our opportunities. Chief Credit Officer of Equity Bank, Kristof Slupkowski shares in our conversation how difficult it is to legally immigrate so that you can take advantage of the wonderful opportunities in the land of the free. He is an outstanding disciplined human being, and I am grateful to share his story.

Anytime I am mentoring, with a group of young people or students, I give them my number and ask them to use it. I encourage that. And its up to them. -- Gene Camarena, Founder/CEO La Raza Inc.

Gene and his wife Yolanda have changed so many lives because they believe in education and they chose to be entrepreneurs

They have validated their success by giving of their time, their talents and their treasures to young people. They give and they keep giving with one caveat, you must participate in their generosity. Gene knows how difficult it is to be an entrepreneur and it get started and that's one of the main reasons why he continues to be accessible and open and honest about that path. As an incredibly successful franchisees in restaurants and hotels, Gene will tell you directly that the most fun is sharing that success with the next generation to grow more opportunities for those in the Latino community and with any young person willing to take a risk and continue to take action. Gene's leadership is meaningful effective and never boastful.

I thank him for what he has done and continues to do every day for the benefit of others.

More than anything, you have to be someone that people can count on. -- Rick Sems, CEO

Rick leads through action. He spent his career leading teams and developing people so they can understand how to take care of customers needs.

It takes vision, but it also just takes hard work and when you put the two together, every day, you have compounding.

That positive compounding is what Rick uses to drive the success of Equity Bank.