Assistant Branch Manager Tatum Begay in her office Tuesday afternoon at Enterprise Bank & Trust at 1200 Trinity Drive. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
“Tatum Begay has moved quickly up the ladder to assistant Branch Manager since starting her first job less than three years ago at Enterprise Bank & Trust. She was hired as a teller on Oct. 26, 2021, shortly after moving to town from Hatch.
“I was born in Tucson, Ariz., and moved to Hatch with my mom when I was 2 years old, where she married my dad,” Begay said during an interview Tuesday in her office at the bank. “I graduated high school in Hatch and worked for five years in the food business at Sparky’s and became manager. I then moved to Los Alamos to marry my husband Rodrick Begay who works here at Los Alamos National Laboratory.”
When she spotted the help wanted announcement for a teller at the bank, Begay said it intrigued her because she was so new to town.
“This is the town bank so I saw it as a great opportunity to get to know a lot of people,” Begay said. “Along with my wonderful co-workers the best part of being a teller was getting to know the community. I love building relationships with my customers … many came back to see me whenever they came to the bank.”
After just six months of serving as a teller, Begay was promoted to Financial Services Representative.
“It was a big change in my career path,” she said. “I was looking for something more to build my personal growth within Enterprise Bank and this was such a great opportunity for me.”
Following just 18 months as Financial Services Representative, Begay was promoted again, this time to assistant branch manager.
“I love helping my employees and watching them grow and build personal growth in their careers here, too,” Begay said. “Enterprise Bank & Trust has a home feeling and really supports work-life balance. The bank also provides many ways for us to engage in the community and offers employees many volunteer opportunities.
Enterprise Bank & Trust Los Alamos Region President Liddie Martinez spoke about Begay saying, “Tatum gets the job done. She is an amazing Associate whose commitment to exceptional service gives her colleagues a constant example of quiet leadership.”
Begay and her husband love animals and have made several a part of their family. The have a 3-year-old mixed pit named Lola, a 5-year-old sort haired domestic cat named Luna, a 1-year-old chinchilla named Shinobu and a 1.5-year-old cockatiel named Pretty Boy.
Begay enjoys her life in Los Alamos saying, “It’s safe, it’s quiet and my neighborhood stores are in walking distance. I love that I can go to the store and people are so friendly and willing to help.”
Begay describes herself and her husband as homebodies who love to relax on the weekends playing video games and hiking.
She ended the interview Tuesday saying that she really wants her customers to know how important they are to her.
“I am always here if they need me,” Begay said. “I want to be that person for them.”