Thomas L. Ransom
Senior Vice President, County Executive
BB&T (Branch Banking & Trust Co.)
Bethesda, Md.
Age: 34
When Thomas L. Ransom started school, his parents were told that he had a learning disability. One teacher challenged that assessment, he recalls, and was proven right when the school finally tested him. Not only did he not have a learning disability, but he was so smart that he graduated with honors from high school, college and graduate school. He earned a bachelor’s degree in eco-nomics from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, a master’s in business administration from the University of Baltimore and a second graduate degree, in banking, from the University of Pennsylvania. Along the way, he received a fellowship to study public policy and international affairs at Princeton University.
Since 2009, Ransom has held the position of senior vice president of the Branch Banking and Trust Co. (BB&T) in Montgomery County, Md., one of BB&T’s largest markets with more than 40,000 businesses and more than a million residents. He manages the Commercial Loans Department and the financial performance of the 18 local branches. Ransom rose steadily since he joined the bank 13 years ago and, at age 22, became one of the first banking officers in the Baltimore market. “I joined at a time of rapid expansion into new markets for BB&T. It turned out to be a challenging and rewarding opportunity, and it launched my career,” he says.
In 2010, the Washington Business Journals named Ransom to its inaugural list of the Top 40 Under 40 professionals in Washington, D.C., and in 2011 Smart CEO magazine named him one of the top bankers in the mid-Atlantic region. He serves on the board of directors on the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Hearts and Homes for Youth and the Imagination Stage. A community advocate, he has led many volunteer efforts, including feeding underserved children and renovating shelters for boys and girls.
Fun Facts
Favorite comedian: Will Ferrell
Sports team: Washington Redskins
Dish you cook best: Steaks on the grill
