Paul Rodriguez lives and works by the mantra that having a good attitude accounts for about 80% of the success a person achieves.
“Bringing a good attitude to all situations, including challenging ones, not only lowers my own stress, but uplifts the people around me and ultimately leads to more positive outcomes,” he said. “I preach this to young professionals and college students looking to enter the workforce.”
As a vice president and business banker team leader with Peoples Bank, Rodriguez assists business clients in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland with their financing needs. He serves businesses in multiple industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, health services and land developers. In addition to managing his own loan portfolio, Rodriguez also manages a team of business bankers who manage their own loan portfolios.
Although he initially pursued a credit analyst role, Rodriguez says a career in business banking has allowed him to interact directly with customers and see first-hand the impact that the bank has on the communities it serves.
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“It has also opened the door to so many new professional relationships and opportunities in my career,” he said.
Rodriguez has had a major impact on the community where he lives as well, serving as president of the Town of Cedar Lake Park Board. Cedar Lake established the Park Board in January 2022 and tasked it with building a new Parks and Recreation Department from the ground up.
“This included hiring staff, purchasing equipment and creating a five-year parks master plan for a rapidly growing community in Northwest Indiana,” he said. “I assumed the role of president in 2024 and am happy to say that we are accomplishing much of what we set out to do.”
Rodriguez says the board has a full calendar of parks-sponsored programs and events for all ages, and staff members are making meaningful improvements to the park spaces, including through new park shelters and amenities.
“I am working with the board and the Town of Cedar Lake to continue expanding park programs and amenities, which would include bigger community events and enhanced public lake access for residents,” he said.
Rodriguez says the best advice he has received came from his manager, Greg Bracco — to listen before speaking.
“While it seems simple, I keep this in the back of my mind no matter what situation I am in,” Rodriguez said. “It helps me to make better decisions, strengthen relationships with my business clients and community partners, and offer better solutions.”
