EverBank’s Fred Carollo described being recognized as a Difference Maker by his peers as a “tremendous honor” and “quite humbling.” But the VP of Originations who has been with EverBank since 2006 and has held his current position since 2008 was quick to credit his colleagues.
“The honor really is for our sales team as well as our group in New Jersey that process the business every day,” he said. “I am the face of the group to the market, but it is their efforts that have produced our outstanding results that made me be considered for this recognition.”
Fred Carollo
Carollo also cited Mike Jones, who hired him, and EverBanks’s late President, Jim McGrane, as being influential in his growth.
“Mike has shown me how a true leader acts in the way he carries himself day in and day out as well as creating balance for life with our careers,” he said. “Jim was a visionary who could lead a team to battle. He is missed.”
For successful finance companies like EverBank, relationships are critical. Planning a mutual strategy for success requires honesty, transparency and the willingness to listen. To always keep this in focus, Carollo follows some sound advice he once received.
“To truly lead, you must put those you are leading’s interest ahead of your own,” he recalled. “They must clearly feel and believe that you have their best interests at heart. Leadership starts there.”
Carollo has utilized that leadership to help put EverBank on a successful path. Through the rest of 2016, he predicted, EverBank will continue to grow their share of the market and expand their product offerings.
“We have a few young territories that we would like to further develop,” he said. “In addition, we would like to make a difference for our vendors with a few new product introductions this year that will help set them apart in their respective markets.”
There’s no question that the document imaging industry is in a state of flux. But even with all the talk of disruptions, Carollo is bullish about the future. He expressed his admiration for dealers who manage to find new and innovative ways to be successful.
“It amazes me how dealers continue to grow their sales in a flat market,” he said. “There are some very intelligent individuals running organizations that are growing and making a difference in their markets. It is still an awesome industry that is driven by true salesmanship. I think we are starting to see a changing of guard on the movers and shakers within the industry. That is very exciting.”
Carollo typically travels about two weeks out of the month, combining visits to the corporate office in New Jersey with travel with the sales force to see customers and make sales calls. When not travelling, he works from his home office, usually in meetings by phone or talking to the sales group or customers. Carollo clearly enjoys his job and he’s grateful for the lasting relationships that have formed over the years, many of which, he said, now go well beyond business.
“It makes getting up every day for work fun and rewarding,” he said. “In addition, my sales team is second to none. They are brothers to me and working with them every day is extremely rewarding.”
We congratulate Fred Carollo for being a Difference Maker!
