POINT PLEASANT — Staying active in the community can help it grow.

And that is why Mario Liberatore, senior vice president of the Ohio Valley Bank holding company and chairman of the West Virginia Bank group, is so involved within the community through his work with the bank and various committee groups.

Liberatore started work with OVB in October of 1997. He previously worked for Citizens National Bank, which was later sold to First Huntington National Bank and later became Bank One. He served as the president of Bank One from 1994 to 1997 before beginning work at OVB.

According to Liberatore, he did not always plan on a career in the banking industry. While he was in school at Marshall University, Liberatore began working at a bank.

“I liked the idea of having a job, so I continued to go to school and work,” Liberatore said.

As for his current job, Liberatore described every day as being different.

“There’s always a different situation that comes up each day that you have to deal with,” he said. “The fact that you get to help so many people and as a banker get to work on a lot of worthwhile projects in the community that have an impact on people’s lives really makes the job fun and rewarding.” Liberatore described the Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School athletic complex, Lillian and Paul Wedge Auditorium and the Point Pleasant Riverfront Park as being his three most rewarding projects.

“The fact that Ohio Valley Bank had a lead role in helping all three of these projects is very rewarding and memorable,” Liberatore said.

He also said that he was very proud of his involvement with the Marshall Mid-Ohio Valley Center (MOVC).

In fact, Liberatore described helping others in general as his favorite part of the job.

“Being able to structure loans that can help people realize their dreams and at the same time getting to work with so many dedicated staff and employees that care about customers is my favorite part of the job,” he said. “The staff is very customer oriented.”

Liberatore attributed not being able to help everyone as the most difficult aspect of his job.

“Not always being able to help the customers is hard because you have regulations and bank policies that sometimes prevents you from doing something,” he said. “Our goal is to help people and help businesses grow.” Liberatore’s work schedule is quite busy. His responsibilities involve managing the branch, the loan department and working with the other departments to assure that the bank runs properly on a daily basis. He also attends several bank related meetings as well as serves on committees that make decisions on loans and other related issues.

In addition to his work at OVB, Liberatore is involved with Main Street Point Pleasant, the Mason County Community Foundation, Pleasant Valley Hospital, the local Rotary, the Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce, the Marshall University Advisory Board and the PPJSHS athletic complex committee.

“My philosophy is community oriented. I believe that you need to be involved in the community for it to grow and do well — we need more young people involved to help improve the county,” Liberatore said.

Liberatore encouraged others to find a career or hobby that they are passionate about.

“Find something that you have a passion for and emerge yourself into that. My passion is helping people and working in the bank has offered me the option to do that,” he said.

This is one piece of advice that Liberatore has applied to his own life as he continues to help others within the community.

(If you know someone who could be a potential candidate for an upcoming “Day in the Life” feature, e-mail his or her name and contact information to mdrnews@mydailyregister.com or call 304-675-1333.)

FAST FACTS

Name: Mario Liberatore Age: 64

Hometown: Holden, West Virginia, now lives in Point Pleasant

Family: wife, Judaline, and two daughters, Marycarol and Cynthia

Hobbies: tennis, golf and cooking