Charlie Collum, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Burke & Herbert Bank, is what we would call “home grown.” He was born and raised in Alexandria, in a part of town called, “New Alexandria” and lived there for about two years before moving to his grandparents’ home in Rosemont. His grandfather, Thomas Lannon, owned a dry goods store at the corner of Pitt and Cameron Streets, and the ledger books read like a “who’s who” in Alexandria at that time. Collum currently resides in Old Town.

After graduating from St. John’s College High school, Collum opted to go straight into the work force. His initial idea was to work for a while and then go to college in a few years. As life would have it, even the best laid plans can change. It turned out that his first job at Alexandria National Bank in 1960 would turn out to be his lifelong profession. When asked, why banking he said that there wasn’t any particular desire to go into banking—it was simply a job. Even though he did not attend college, he definitely stresses the importance of a college education in today’s world.

At Alexandria National Bank, he was first assigned to the bookkeeping department where he filed checks and performed other menial tasks. He later moved to what was called the proof department, where deposits and cashed checks go after the tellers are finished with them. He also worked in the installment loan department, but didn’t like calling people and inquiring when they were going to make a loan payment. He later moved on to become a branch manager. His most important accomplishment at the Bank was meeting his future wife, the former Sandi Carrabino, where she also worked. They were married in 1966 and have two sons.

In 1971, Collum was looking for something different and wanted a challenge. That year proved to be an important year for him when David Burke offered Charlie a position at Burke & Herbert as Vice President and Cashier. The Cashier is responsible for complying with reporting requirements to regulators. Collum reflected that the decision to accept that job was the best decision that he ever made.

Fast forward 38 years…Charlie Collum is still at Burke & Herbert, which is the oldest bank in Virginia. When looking back over the past 38 years, he affectionately commented, “Working here is like working with family.” He feels that he is part of a community and that separates Burke & Herbert from other banks. It is truly a community bank. One of his favorite things about his job is his interaction with the customers. He enjoys the corporate side of banking and also enjoys identifying new sites for bank branches, designing and building new branches or remodeling existing buildings. Over the years, while at Burke & Herbert, he has managed personnel, the operations center and the branch system.

Collum has a long list of accomplishments during his tenure at Burke & Herbert. He has opened 11 branches, moved 2 branches and opened the Operations Center for the Bank. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1995, became President & COO in 1999 and Chairman & CEO in 2003. Today, Burke & Herbert is a 1.9 billion dollar bank with over 350 employees and 20 locations. How about that for someone who just accepted a job at a bank because it was just a job?!

Collum’s work at the bank has given him a platform to be of service in the Alexandria community and to also tell others about the virtues of Burke & Herbert. Looking at Collum’s civic involvement is like reading another “who’s who” list. He has been active with such groups as the Campagna Center, where he and his wife serve as Chairs of The Circle of Giving, and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Alexandria Inova Hospital, and Chair of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. He finds most rewarding his position on the Board of the Alexandria Police Foundation.

Collum also serves on numerous organizations devoted to banking. He is a Board member for the Virginia Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America. Charlie is proud to say that community banking is thriving in Virginia and he is happy to be at the epicenter. He commented, “Why put money in a big bank when you can put money in a bank in your own back yard?” He definitely made me think about my own finances.

Personally, I wasn’t that familiar with Burke & Herbert until late last year when I saw a piece that Good Morning America did on the bank in October 2008. One morning, I saw a reporter standing in a spot that looked familiar to me. I quickly realized the reporter was in my own backyard in Old Town. The reporter interviewed several customers at the bank concerning why they chose to have their money at the bank. The reporter stated that Burke & Herbert is considered one of the safest banks in the country and detailed the rising tide of people who are turning to smaller banks in this recession era. Aside from the rising number of customers at the bank, everyone talked about the same concept—community. The reporter took note of the dog treats that are available for customers’ dogs who are welcome at the bank.

For the Collum family, banking is a family affair. Collum has two sons, Chuck, a jeweler who lives in Texas, and Joe, who also works at Burke & Herbert as a Vice President. Charlie’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer, is also in on the act and works at the bank as a mortgage loan officer. Collum will retire next March, but will stay on part-time.

When he isn’t at the bank, Charlie can be found on his boat, playing golf or enjoying his grandchildren. Charlie Collum has had the unique opportunity to work for over a quarter of a century at a beloved Alexandria institution. He has worked in practically every office of the bank, but has consistently come back to what matters most—the customers. He recounted many of his customers have become personal friends.

Burke & Herbert has been in existence for over 150 years. The bank has been around for so long that they decided to write a book devoted to the illustrious history of the bank. The first line of the book states, “Burke & Herbert is much more than a bank. It’s a beloved Alexandria institution, known for extraordinary customer service, sound business practices and a long heritage of personal trust and integrity.” Board member Robert E. Lee IV, great grandson of General Robert E. Lee, noted, “Human compassion and service is the essence of the bank.” It seems as if Charlie Collum has adopted this mantra for not only his professional work but also for his life as well.