High Interest In Bank Career
James Mason visited the Federal Reserve Bank on a school trip. He's been at the bank ever since.
During his senior year of high school, James Mason's class toured the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. When the trip concluded at the bank's in-plant, the guide asked if anyone in the group thought they might like to work with that equipment.
Mason was the only one in the group with a raised hand.
"I graduated on a Thursday," he says. "On Friday they offered me a job."
Today, Mason is the award-winning operational supervisor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Print Shop, managing an 11,915-square-foot, eight-employee facility that boasts a two-color, 19x25˝ Heidelberg and a single-color GTO, among other equipment.
Born in Chicago and raised in Minnesota, Mason says he moved down to Texas for one reason: Warmer weather. He's been working at the Dallas in-plant since 1979. Hired as a stock cutter, Mason has held just about every position in the shop.
"I like having the opportunity to keep up with technology and to expand my own experiences," he says, noting that the shop has just purchased a new automated accounting system to facilitate his bookkeeping and budgeting duties.
Above And Beyond
Of his numerous accolades, Mason seems most proud of the several 11-K awards that he has received from the bank itself for going above and beyond the call of duty.
"It's a great honor when people recognize what you do every day," he says.
But Mason is quick to pass much of the credit along to his employees. He says the size of the staff has been reduced over the years, so now each employee handles a variety of skill areas."Our staff is really diversified," he says. "And we always maintain the same level of quality."
For Mason, the consistent recognition of great employees is the key to running a successful shop.
"I strongly believe in pats on the back," he says, "and in communication with upper management. Any kind of awards, whether they are monetary or just a compliment, are important."
There is another reason for nurturing a great staff, he says. As the individuals closest to the action at the in-plant, employees are also the source for the most workable solutions to problems as they arise.
The main challenge for Mason and his staff has been the Internet.
"It's a monster," he says. "As far as cost-effectiveness, a company can just put something on the Web and anyone can read it instead of having to pay for thousands of copies."
To take on this and other challenges, Mason says he often turns to the International Publishing Management Association (IPMA).
"I am not a member but I do attend the conferences, and I've learned a lot of valuable stuff over the years," he says.
He's also become quite a character at the annual IPMA conference, always quick with a humorous comment and never shying away from a chance to take center stage. Last year he and another manager led an educational session dressed as the Blues Brothers, complete with musical accompaniment.
Mason says the constant influx of new information and the many opportunities for personal growth are what keep him so actively engaged in the printing industry.
"I think it's a great opportunity as a career because it's always changing," he says. "And then there's this vast market of high-grade technology."
Yet despite his awards for long hours spent producing high-quality projects on time, Mason still finds time for a very full off-the-clock schedule.
Married for 11 years to his wife Cynthia, the couple has two kids, Kyle and Camerron, both avid soccer players. Sports must be in the blood because he is also head coach of the Texas Heat, a full-contact minor league football team.
With so many more avenues to explore, Mason is not about to throw in the towel.
"I hope to keep doing this for as long as I can," he says.
