I was quite new on the Board of Directors of Oxford Savings Bank when Randy Fox’s name was first heard in a Board meeting.
The then president and CEO, Bob Dick, was looking to retire. He told the Board, ‘A nice young man, who lives in Lake Orion, came in and I think we should talk to him.?
Bob then asked Bill Offer and I to meet with Randy. We had lunch at Greenfield’s Restaurant and the rest is history.
As Bob had pointed out, this was an impressionable young man. He had good banking experience, plus the things you can feel in people; easy personality, sincerity, integrity, sense of humor and leadership quality.
After a couple years at the helm, Randy suggested the ‘Savings? be dropped from the Bank’s name, reasoning the Bank was full-service, and newcomers might think the Bank emphasized savings too much.
Randy had many strong points. A major one was his ability to recognize and attract good people and put them in positions of responsibility, like lending.
Good loan officers help make banks grow, and under Randy, Oxford Bank grew big time.
When he came aboard in 1984 Oxford Bank assets were $71 million. When he left the assets were over $515 million.
Selecting good outlets was another major for Randy. North Oakland was growing fast and branches were added in Clarkston and Ortonville, then south Lapeer County with Dryden, and Genesee County with Goodrich and Davison.
Lake Orion and Addison had been opened under Bob Dick.
Stockholders were rewarded greatly under Randy’s administration. Oxford Bank stock split, re-grew, split again, re-grew again and again. It was a great ride.
The community, too, gained from Randy’s presence.
He was consulted by many business people, office holders and citizens, giving assistance in whatever area he could. He was accessible.
He loved golf, fishing and boating, but, of course, all were preceded by his thoughts of his family.
Randy and I became personal friends.
I like men who can muck stables, as Randy has done, be elected to head banking committees, invite me to eat in his kitchen, and is comfortable with people at both ends of the economic spectrum.
I’m going to really miss Randy Fox.
? James A. ‘Jim? Sherman, former Leader publisher