Alumnus Michael Carbone '85 is leader in banking industry

As Senior Vice President, TD Bank Financial Group and Regional President for TD Bank's Metro Philadelphia Market, Michael Carbone '85 oversees all retail and commercial lending and government banking within the market.

No stranger to hard work, Carbone credits his strong work ethic with shaping his future. Beginning with a newspaper delivery job at age 10, his efforts continued throughout high school and college as he worked to fund his Rowan University education. Although pursuing an economics degree full time while working 30 hours a week was difficult, he believes the work ethic he developed is what "propelled me to where I am."

With 25 years of success in the banking business, Carbone advises recent graduates starting out in the business world to have a great attitude.

"Don't focus on the money right away," he says. "Spend time developing your skills so you can be the best at what you do [and] always focus on getting better."

Given the current business and economic climate, Carbone believes business schools need to place a greater emphasis on teaching fiduciary responsibility.

"Students at every level need to be educated about personal accountability and responsibility," he says. "We don't teach them how to balance a checkbook or how to be responsible with a credit card or loan, but it is so important."

Carbone believes that strong leaders are those who surround themselves with "smart, bright people who have the ability to execute good ideas.

"My philosophy is that you should hire those who could replace you, who could do what you do. You can't succeed if you're afraid to surround yourself with people who are smarter or more talented than you are," he says.

Carbone appreciates that his employees have lives outside of work and emphasizes the importance of balance.

"Being a good boss means having confidence in the people who work for you. I don't measure performance on time clocked-I measure performance on outcomes," Carbone says.

Active in community organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Volunteers of America, Carbone has also overseen community efforts for TD Bank including WOW!Zone, a financial literacy program that has reached more than 20,000 local classrooms.

Born and raised in Camden, Carbone says he "never forgot where I came from, which is why I spend so much time involved with various area charities." He has received numerous honors for his efforts, including a 2010 "Man of the Year" designation by the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County and the 2011 Camden Country Red Cross Good Neighbor Award for his proactive involvement with and support of the area's non-profit community organizations.

A member of the Rohrer College of Business Advisory Board, Carbone was the keynote speaker for the 2009 PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Conference hosted by the College. He earned a B.A. in economics from Rowan in 1985.