Gibbs makes move to Greenleaf

Joshua Gibbs. Cpurtesy Greenleaf Trust

Greenleaf Trust has a new trust relationship officer in Grand Rapids.

Joshua Gibbs recently was hired as trust relationship officer for Greenleaf Trust. In his new role, he is responsible for the day-to-day trust administration and fiduciary compliance of his clients.

“I’m a West Michigan guy through and through,” said Gibbs, who lives in Greenville with his wife and their five children.

Gibbs said he started his career at a small community bank in 2003 that was purchased by Isabella Bank. He planned to stay in West Michigan for only two years, then make a move to a big market like Chicago, but changed his trajectory. Gibbs has held positions at Commercial Bank, where he worked for nine years as a commercial lender and held the title of community president.

He went on to work for Northern Trust, where he was a banking adviser and held the position of vice president.

Gibbs’ career took a turn when he took part in an education curriculum.

“I decided I really like helping people figure out their careers,” said Gibbs, who became active in advising “next generation” clients in wealth management, giving them “good financial concepts” to live by.

“It’s hard to listen to parents. I like being that third party and giving advice like how to live within your means, plan for retirement and maintain multigenerational wealth. To be wealthy you have to be intentional around money, and I helped build that.”

Gibbs said he made the move to Greanleaf because he likes the idea of working for a Michigan-based company.

Gibbs has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kalamazoo College, a master’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University, and is a graduate of the Robert Perry School of Banking.

He made Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list in 2015.